Thursday, May 28, 2009

Basic Bharatanatyam Hand Gestures

The Hastabhinaya (gestures of the Hand), belongs to the Natyasastra science. The Natyasastra science deals with the rules involving theatrical performances. This science is being regarded as the science of stage. 

In this post, I would like to talk about 6 of the 28 single hand gestures that make up the vocabulary for the dance form of Bharatanatyam. These hand gestures are used in the story telling part in which they interpret the poet text with the story that is been told. They are also been used as ornaments to the rhythmic steps. 

I have decided to start with learning only 6 hand gestures on a  weekly basis so that I can have a more deep and comprehensive understanding on each of them. The following hand gestures are single because they can be used on one hand independently from the other. They can also be combined with the same gesture on the same hand, or two different gestures on each hand, depending on the situation.

     

 Pataka (meaning "Flag")

Pakata looks like the Stop sign. It is done with all finger held straight. Remember there shouldnt be any gap in between of the fingers.






Tripataka (meaning "three parts of Flag")

Tripakata looks like pataka except for the small difference that the ring finger is bent to the front. 
















Ardhapataka (meaning "half-Flag")

Ardhapakata looks like pataka except for the small difference that the ring finger and little finger are both bent to the front. The rest of the fingers are held straight.







 

Kartaramukha (meaning "arrow shaft face")

In this one index finger and middle finger are straight rest of the fingers are closed in the palm.




 Mayura (meaning "peacock")

In this one index ring finger and thumb touch each other; the rest of the fingers remain straight.









Ardhachandra (meaning "half-moon")


In this one  all fingers remain straight together and the thumb is pointing up.



 


I have also recorded a video. I know it sounds very 'funny'. Please don't laugh that much after hearing it (because I couldn't control myself after hearing it). I hope you enjoyed!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Mr and Mrs Turtle Crochet

After having such a long day of exams and assignments I decided to do some crochet. I learnt first crocheting when I was 6 years old. I was taught by my mother. My mother, who has been passionate about crochet, knitting, etc., gave me the idea to crochet Mr. and Mrs. Turtle. I want to thank her for her time and dedication and more over for explaining me at such late hours in the night (I got the mood of doing something creative at around 11 pm)... So this is one of the reasons I want to share my knowledge with you.
In this blog I will try to give you some instructions on how to do a turtle. 

 

The first thing you will need to is to get a crochet hook and some yarn. Get preferably lots of different colors of yarn. Please take note that it is important to choose the right size hook and thickness of yarn. (If your hook is too small and the yarn is too thick; your work will be stiff and tight - and vice versa). 

 

Second you have to do eight circles in crochet. Basically, for the body of the turtle bigger rounds than the rest of the turtle's body. The whole turtle is made with single crochet. 


Here you can see all parts of the turtle including: head, body, and legs.

  

 


You have to stitch all the rounds together. Remember to fill them with some foam or cotton. 

 

You can make some extra accessories for the turtle like hat, eyes, nose, etc…

Et voilĂ !!!!................





Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Bharatanatyam performed on the roadside…


Following up with my quest for Bharatanatyam I’ve been reading all possible online material and watching tons of videos. And that’s how I came across with a video which caught my attention, not only because of the wonderful dancer performing Bharatanatyam items but also because of the unusual stage in which she was performing. Please watch Alarippu performed by Jai Khalsa among other videos.
In my earlier post I introduced some facts about Bharatanatyam; I would like to recall some basics about this ‘devotional temple dance’. Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest forms of Indian classical dance and exists since over 2000 years. This art was nurtured by wonderful women called Devadasis, they offered their music and dance as a form of worship to God. 
Coming back to the topic of this post, I got pretty much inspired when I saw ‘Jai Khalsa’ doing a live performance on the roadside. I applaud her expressions and agility as a dancer and moreover I applaud her for having carried out a spiritual form of dance in such I would say ‘materialistic space’. 
‘Jai Khalsa’ dances with a high degree of devotion, she masters movement and expressions quite good and I definitely like the way she presents herself to the public. @ Jai: Keep up that confidence!
After having watched all her posted videos, I contacted Jai and bombarded her with a bulk of questions. She was very kind in sending me some songs allowing me to start practicing. However, I must confess that I am still working on how to walk with Ghunghroo **smiles**. 
During some email exchange I asked Jai whether I could write about her in one of my posts and she agreed. If you are interested in knowing more about her you can go here.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

My quest for Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form which originated in Tamil Nadu (South India) and it is also the National Dance of India. 

Let me introduce you to some facts about Bharatanatyam:
  • This dance was performed by Devadasis, the Temple Dancers.
  • Only girls born in the caste, 'Temple Dancer Devadasis' where allowed learning and performing this sacred dance.
  • Devadasis lived and died within the walls of the temple. Devadasis were wedded to God in a real sense.
  • Bharatanatyam is usually accompanied by Karnatac or Carnatic music. (I have written already some posts about this type of music, if you are interested you can have a look...).
  • A Bharatanatyam dancer tries to manifest the celebration of the eternal universe through the celebration of the beauty of the material body.
  • During Medieval times Bharatnatyam dance declined. Devadasis were seen as servants and prostitutes.
  • E. Krishna Iyer was a Lawyer in Madras and a dancer. He devoted his life to this classical dance and raised the social status of Bharatnatyam and also popularized it.
  • Another contributor to the popularization of Bharatanatyam was Rukmini Devi Arundale. This young lady, born into a rich Brahmin family, was passionate about dancing. She started learning 'Ballet' under the great Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. Pavlova influenced Rukmini and turned her attention to Bharatanatyam by asking 'why she was studying a foreign form of dance instead of learning the traditions of her own country'. This was a turning point in Rukmini's interest to discover the ancient Devadasi dancing art. Rukmini Devi Arundale devoted her life to the study of the Devadasi art. She founded Kalakshetra in 1936 an Academy dedicated to the preservation of South Indian Arts.
What does the name Bharatanatyam has in it?
Bharatanatyam is composed fom the following words:
Bha from Sanskrit Bhava which means emotions.
Ra from Sanskrit Raga which means melody.
Ta from Sanskrit Tala which means rhythm.
Natyam from Sanskrit Natyam which means theatrical presentation.
In short 'Theatrical presentation which involves emotions, melody and rhythm'...
In order to enhance this post, I tried to hand-made the clothes and jewellery which a Bharatanatyam dancer wears in real for a Barbie. I had a lot of fun and it was a nice challenge.
A Bharatanatyam dancer wears a traditional bridal costume and a unique set of jewellery known as "Temple Jewellery".  Dancers also wear Ghungroos (metallic bells strung together) which serve to accentuate the rhythmic aspects of the dance.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Bollywood song with a Carnatic Touch

Some days backs I was surfing on youtube, and I found a very wonderful bollywood song from the Movie Bhool Bhulaiyaa (in English: The Maze). The name of the song is 'Mere Dholna Sun'.
You can find song and lyrics here.
What I liked the most from this song is that it took me back to the basics I learnt during my first Karnatak lesson, namely to remember the 'Swaras' (the musical sound of a single note) and the 'Raaga' (the mode). I must confess I wasnt able to decipher which type of Talam (rythmic cyles) was used for this song. And I couldnt also find it... any suggestion?
Carnatic music is practised in Maya Malava Gowla Raga and Chatusra Jaathi Triputa Tala (or the well-known Adi Talam= composed of 8 aksharas and/or one unit of talam). Many different combinations of swaras are practiced in a minimun of three different speeds (tempus) and at the same time the speed of the Talam is kept constant. 
-The first speed: one swara at the time, eg.:
Talam: Adi Talam - 8 aksharas/or unit of talam
1    2   3    4       5    6      7    8
sa  ri   ga  ma    pa  dha  ni  sa
sa  ni  da  pa     ma  ga    ri  sa
-The second speed: two swaras are sung for one unit of talam
Talam: Adi Talam - 8 aksharas/or unit of talam
1       2         3          4       5       6        7         8
sari  gama  padha  nisa  sani  dapa  maga  risa
sari  gama  padha  nisa  sani  dapa  maga  risa
-The third speed: four swaras are sung for one unit of talam
Talam: Adi Talam - 8 aksharas/or unit of talam                                                                                                                         
sarigama  
padhanisa 
3 sanidapa 
magarisa  
sarigama  
padhanisa  
sanidapa  
magarisa
sarigama  
padhanisa 
sanidapa  
magarisa  
sarigama  
padhanisa  
sanidapa  
magarisa

By increasing the speed it is meant to double the swaras from the previous speed. 
-The fourth speed: eight swaras sung for one unit of talam (please note that you can only master this speed once you mastered the first 3 speeds...)
Talam: Adi Talam - 8 aksharas/or unit of talam                                                                                                            
1 sarigamapadhanisa  
2 sanidapamagarisa  
3 sarigamapadhanisa  
4 sanidapamagarisa                 
5 sarigamapadhanisa  
6 sanidapamagarisa  
7 sarigamapadhanisa  
8 sanidapamagarisa

Now I want to come back to the song 'Mere Dholna sung'. I have extracted some combinations of swaras from the lyrics (minute 2:53) and would like to analyze the speed that is been sang and the varisaigal. 

Swaravali Varisaigal= one swara
Sa Ni Dha  = first tempo
Ni Dha Ma = first tempo
Ma Ga Sa Ni Dha Ni Sa Ga Ma = first tempo
Ma Ga Sa Ni Dha Ni Sa Ga = third tempo
Ma Ga Sa Ni Dha Ni Sa Ga = third tempo
Ma Ga Ma Ga = first tempo
Sa Ni Dha Ga Pa Dha Ni  = third tempo
Sa Ni Dha Ga Pa Dha Ni
Sa Ni Dha Ni
Dha ni Sa = first tempo
Dha ni Sa
Dha ni Sa
Dha ni Sa
Ma Dha Ni  = first tempo
Ma Dha Ni 
Ma Dha Ni 
Ma Dha Ni 
Dha ni Sa  = first tempo
Dha ni Sa
Dha ni Sa
Ma Dha Ni  = first tempo
Ma Dha Ni 
Ma Dha Ni 
Ma Dha Ni Sa = thrid tempo
Ma Dha Ni Sa
Ma Dha Ni Sa
Ma Dha Ni Sa
Sa Ni Dha Ma = thrid tempo
Sa Ni Dha Ma
Sa Ni Dha Ma
Sa Ni Dha Ma
Swavarali Varisaigal = 2 times same swara
Ma Ma ga ga Sa Sa Ni Ni = thrid tempo
Sa Sa Ni Ni Dha Dha Ni Ni
Sa Sa Ni Ni Dha Dha Ma Ma 
Sa Sa Ni Ni Dha Dha Ga Ga Re Re sa sa
Ni Ni Sa sa Sa
Ni Dha Sa sa sa
Ma Ga Sa sa sa 
(tempo=speed)
I hope that my guessing was right. In case you might find some mistake, please write a comment, I would be more than glad to know. "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new"....