Essay On Art & Dance

Telegram : @iasdelhi Essay Gajanan/Adesh
Art and dance forms act as bridge between the value systems of ancient India
and the new generation.
India has a great tradition of music from ancient period to the present
time. The Indian classical music and arts represent India’s cultural glory. Our art
and dance forms act as bridge between the value systems of ancient India and
the new generation. They represent the eternal and everlasting principles of life
that promote discipline, obedience and peaceful coexistence.
In India, various facets of performing arts bring colour and joy to

numerous festivals and ceremonies and reaffirm the faith of the people in their
heritage. Art is not seen as a mere ornamentation or entertainment, but as an
intrinsic part of heritage.
Life of Shri Thyagaraja Swami, a great exponent of carnatic music is a

testimony to how music combined with devotion is the best medium to achieve
God’s realization. Through his compositions, Tyaga Brahma revealed his deep
understanding of the tenets of the Vedas and Upanishads thereby providing a
divine feeling to music listeners.
Music in any form acts as an equalizer. It has no barriers or boundaries.

It speaks universal language. It possesses the attributes that heal the mind, body
and soul to make human being a liberated a soul. Research found that listening
to music activates not only the auditory areas of the brain, but also employs
large-scale neural networks.
Like music, dance in India also has an unbroken tradition of over 2,000
years. Its themes are derived from mythology, legends and classical literature.
GAJANAN WADJE 1
Classical dance forms are based on ancient dance discipline and have rigid
rules of presentation. There are eight classical dance traditions - Bharata
Natyam, Kathakali/Mohiniattam, Kathak, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Odissi and
Chhau. Bharata Natyam though it derives its roots from Tamil Nadu, has
developed into an all India form.
Theatre in India is as old as music and dance. Over the years, theatre has
transformed the form and content in accordance with the times. Over the years,
theatre has played a key role in influencing public opinion on contemporary
issues. The classical theatre survives only in some places but folk theatre can be
seen in its regional variants practically in almost every state.
All such forms of Indian art and music form part of our rich culture and
play a key role in unifying the country and its’ people.
This rich tradition of Indian music and art must be understood in the
context of Indian life and thought that promotes the concepts of harmony and
integration. In the Indian world view, art is an integral and important part of
human existence and adds value to the quality of human lives.
Music and dance give a mystical experience to those who perform and
also to those who embrace it, similar to yoga. Music also has therapeutic
powers. Music heals. It soothes and calms. Music enthralls. Music transforms
our lives. Music unites and build bridges across communities and countries.
Over the centuries, India has embraced the best from the rest of world
and thus, our culture is a composite mixture of varying styles and influences.
World is going through an unprecedented change. We need to honestly

acknowledge that happiness quotient is dipping. Our busy lifestyles are robbing
GAJANAN WADJE 2
us from enjoying simple aspects of life. In the present day, fast-paced lifestyle,
listening to music can provide solace to mind.
The vast treasure of Indian musical forms needs to be nurtured and

propagated. Governments, art lovers and society as a whole must collectively
encourage the musical forms to thrive and flourish. It is incumbent on all Music
gurus, researchers and connoisseurs to promote excellence in music.
Time and again studies have shown that children who are engaged in
music and other art forms tend to have better cognitive skills and do well in
academic subjects such as math and science. They improve memory, auditory
skills and the attention span.
With the rise in digital technology, the human attention span has
shortened from 12 seconds to eight seconds in more than a decade, a recent
study by Microsoft Corporation has found. Humans now have an attention span
less than that of a goldfish (nine seconds average). The 54-page study sought to
understand what impact technology and today’s digital lives are having on
attention spans.
Music learning can be made part of curriculum for school children to

ensure stress-free environment and to improve learning outcomes. We are
already using technology to spread this knowledge and more students in India
and abroad are learning Indian classical music through online resources and
tutors. These efforts need to be further expanded.
Indian Diaspora carries our cultural ethos, traditions to farther lands. In a

way, art festivals promote cultural tourism in India.
Indian music was enriched by contributions of many great musical

exponents. Thyagarja Swami, Shama Shastri, Bharata Ratna M S Subbu
GAJANAN WADJE 3
lakshmi and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, D K Pattamal and Mangalampalli

Balamurali Krishna to name a few great masters.
In many ways, the Indian musicians have given the world a rare menu of
soul-stirring musical masterpieces. This ancient tradition is being continued
without a break. However, the innovations being tried out within this tradition.
The electronic era has brought new dimensions to music concerts.
We must preserve the best traditions we have inherited and add further
richness with our creative genius.
Brahma, the first God in the Hindu Trinity, signifies creativity, innovation.
He is also a vast reservoir of knowledge. Musicians who have achieved
excellence have combined these two qualities. They have excellent knowledge
of musicology but they think of improvising and bringing new and creative ways
to enrich the tradition through their rendition of classical songs.
Thanks to technology, we can listen to these compositions anytime,

anywhere and any number of times. Thanks to technology, we have a unique
opportunity to reach to a much wider audience than ever before. We must use
all these new avenues, in addition to the concerts we hold regularly, for
preserving and propagating the richness of Indian music.
GAJANAN WADJE 4

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Telegram : @iasdelhi Essay Gajanan/Adesh

In India, various facets of performing arts bring colour and joy to

Life of Shri Thyagaraja Swami, a great exponent of carnatic music is a

Music in any form acts as an equalizer. It has no barriers or boundaries.

World is going through an unprecedented change. We need to honestly

The vast treasure of Indian musical forms needs to be nurtured and

Music learning can be made part of curriculum for school children to

Indian Diaspora carries our cultural ethos, traditions to farther lands. In a

Indian music was enriched by contributions of many great musical

lakshmi and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, D K Pattamal and Mangalampalli

Thanks to technology, we can listen to these compositions anytime,

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