Dance-the bonding between performer and the rhythm of heaven
ByParichay ChakrabartiPosted on
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An article by Smt. Aparna Chatterjee
According to Hindu mythology, the birth of the dance is an immaculate bonding between the performer and the rhythm of heaven. Dance-a form of entertainment that portrays the glorious approach of the almighty and other mythological characters. The Hindu pantheon comprises of a wide array of Gods and Goddesses who have more than one form or character like Shiva, who is also known as Nataraja – the God of Dance.
The main objective of the performing artist is to communicate with the audience with his/her expressions, gestures, and hasta mudras. The mudras depict the meaning that the dancer wants to convey to the audience. The foremost part of communication is Abhinaya, which may achieve through four arenas.
1. Angika – The major limbs of angas and minor limbs of pratangas and upangas. 2. Vachika – Speech and song. 3. Aharya – Costume, ornaments, makeup, stage decoration. 4. Satwaika – Performance in which the performer devotes themselves to the creators that are being performed.
A widespread dancer has to remember the concept of Nritta, Nritya, Natya, Rasa, and Bhava always in her/his performance. It might be a long voyage to learn everything together to become a dancer. To achieve Abhinaya, padavedas, Hastovedas, shirovedas, charivedas, dristivedas, gribavedas, etc. prerequisites a lot of hard work, practice to prepare herself/himself properly, and stay close to the Guru (Teacher).
Guru plays a very imperative role to guide a student. Sishya (Disciple) always needs to maintain a strong link with Guru and it will be propagating to the decades after decades, generations after generations. So, the culture, heritage flow seamlessly in the universe. When a viewer gets ultimate enjoyment and satisfaction, you will know that you have attained perfection in Rasa, Bhava, and all the techniques. I think it is not only applicable only for classical dance but also applicable to all dance forms.
When I learned Uday Shankar’s style, I found a new vision, a free sky. I learned how to color my thought, how to draw a picture by using my hand as a brush, an implacable dance was composed of different thoughts on particular music. The body expressed all feelings and a word can be expressed in so many different ways and expressions. Though this is a different style, the basic elements like mudra, abhinaya, rasa, bhava, etc. are also included in this form. Only if we keep in mind these basic elements, which performing Indian Classical, Rabindra Nritya, Creative, Contemporary or any other dance forms, then only we can become a better performer and connect with the audience.
My message to the new generation –
The new generation must remember that nothing is easily achieved. It is possible only through hard perseverance. There is no easy way. I think the new generation is intelligent and they get various information available in this digital world. Therefore, if you associate with any creative work, develop your philosophy and dreams by using the information from the internet and mended guidelines from your Guru. What you learn from your Guru, practice it regularly, and mix the color of your thought. Do not perform for fame, fortune, and money. Just surrender yourself to the performance and express yourself with self-submission.
We all do not know everything. We are not perfect. We should rectify ourselves every day.
We have a wealth of culture in our country. Our responsibility is to keep it alive and this can be only possible if you, the new generation, may work hard with honesty, a good human being in mind, will be the torchbearer of our heritage and culture.
Smt. Aparna Chatterjee learned the Uday Shankar dance style from Udyan (Mamata Shankar Dance Academy) for a couple of years. She is a regular performer in the Song and Drama Division, Govt. of India, and performs in various states of India and abroad.
She is the principal of Swastika Kala Kendra for the last 16 years at Garia, Kolkata where she teaches creative, Indian contemporary dance along with Bharatnatyam and kathak forms.
Sorry, didn’t get the opportunity to read earlier in a proper way.
Excellent, very well written and informative!
Keep up the good work, dance and writing!
The source of Indian dance is the Vedas.Later in puranas, epics and the Natyashastra of Bharat discussed briefly about it.The article on dance by Aparna is a view of a disciple who dedicated herself to establish her secure position in the field of Bharatnatyam.She has also created so many followers and students of her.We are proud of her performance.
A real dedicated person to her Art. Tumpa ( Aparna ) you have really wonderfully communicated the whole thing of this Art form. I know that she is associated from her childhood with this Art form and passionate about it. The coming generation should learn from her that how to enjoy the passion and give the effort dedicatedly to keep remain this Art form. Congratulation Tumpa as you devoted your precious time for so long period.Hope you will pass your batten to a real carrier .
The article that is written is really impressive nd so well mention regarding about the future generation….Really feel proud of my daughter’s Dance Guru….
Apana my friend , she is extra ordinary performer . the way she describe the Indian dance form is so beautiful. She has the passion for dance beyond everything, and love for dance reflecting in her performance. The message is perfect for the new generation. Wish you all the very best in future.
Thank you
Sorry, didn’t get the opportunity to read earlier in a proper way.
Excellent, very well written and informative!
Keep up the good work, dance and writing!
Look forward to read more!
Thank you so much
wow
Thank you
The source of Indian dance is the Vedas.Later in puranas, epics and the Natyashastra of Bharat discussed briefly about it.The article on dance by Aparna is a view of a disciple who dedicated herself to establish her secure position in the field of Bharatnatyam.She has also created so many followers and students of her.We are proud of her performance.
Very well articulated… thanks for sharing
Thank you so much
A real dedicated person to her Art. Tumpa ( Aparna ) you have really wonderfully communicated the whole thing of this Art form. I know that she is associated from her childhood with this Art form and passionate about it. The coming generation should learn from her that how to enjoy the passion and give the effort dedicatedly to keep remain this Art form. Congratulation Tumpa as you devoted your precious time for so long period.Hope you will pass your batten to a real carrier .
Good Luck and stay blessed.
Thank you so much
The article that is written is really impressive nd so well mention regarding about the future generation….Really feel proud of my daughter’s Dance Guru….
Thank you so much
This is excellent , very nice, it gives us a lot of good information too.
Thank you so much
I know her since my childhood…she is an amazing person….most importantly she is very much dedicated to her dance…I must say she deserves this honour.
Thank you so much
I know her since my childhood..She is an amazing person…Most importantly she is very much dedicated to her dance…I must say she deserves this honour…
Thank you so much
Apana my friend , she is extra ordinary performer . the way she describe the Indian dance form is so beautiful. She has the passion for dance beyond everything, and love for dance reflecting in her performance. The message is perfect for the new generation. Wish you all the very best in future.
I’m honoured. Thank you so much
Honestly, something that doesn’t come easily, or something that is easily found, is not valuable,
Thank you
Thank you for the message to new generations.
I’m honoured
it helps a lot
Thank you
Ato sundor kore apni Aunty k represent korechen khub khub valo laglo pore sir ❤️ ?
It’s true….
Thank you
thank you
Darunnn sir??????
Awesome. Thanks.
Thank you so much
Thank you so much
Excellent write up wow just
Thank you soumik