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Q. Examine how the spiritual and emotive principles enshrined in the Natya Shastra have guided the evolution of Indian classical dance forms. (150 words)
12 May, 2025 GS Paper 1 Indian Heritage & CultureApproach
- Briefly introduce the Natya Shastra, its importance in the context of Indian performing arts, and its core principles.
- Explore how the Natya Shastra shaped the spiritual and emotional foundations of classical dance and influenced regional dance forms.
- Conclude suitably.
Introduction
The Natya Shastra, composed by Bharata Muni between 200 BCE and 200 CE, is the foundational text of Indian classical dance. It lays down spiritual and emotive principles that continue to shape classical dance as both an expressive art and a medium of spiritual communication.
Body
Spiritual Principles in Natya Shastra: The Foundation of Dance
- The Natya Shastra views dance as a divine creation by Lord Brahma, combining elements from the four Vedas to promote spiritual insight and moral learning.
- It also emphasizes that dance is a form of devotion and spiritual expression, as the art form is believed to have been created by Lord Shiva as Nataraja.
- Dance, thus, serves as a vehicle for spiritual awakening and communion with the divine.
- For example, Kathak, originating in North India, was traditionally performed in temples as a form of storytelling and devotion to Lord Krishna, symbolizing the eternal dance between the divine and the human soul.
Emotive Principles and Rasa: Conveying Emotions Through Dance
- The Natya Shastra outlines Rasa as the emotional essence that dance evokes in the audience, with nine key Rasas like shringara (love), veera (heroism), and bhayanaka (fear), etc. These are brought to life through Bhavas, the emotions conveyed by the dancer.
- The text identifies eight primary Bhavas such as rati (love), soka (grief), and utsaha (energy), expressed through facial expressions (angika), hand gestures (hasta), and body posture (sthana), forming the expressive foundation of classical dance.
- For example, Kathak uses ghungroos and rapid chakkars to portray joy and divine love, especially in Radha-Krishna narratives.
- In Odissi, the graceful tribhangi posture conveys devotion and beauty, often in praise of Lord Jagannath.
Dance Form Key Influence of Natya Shastra Emotive and Spiritual Aspects Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu) Expression (abhinaya) and narrative storytelling. Mudras and expressions convey rasas like Shringara (romance) and Veera (heroism); devotion to Lord Shiva and other deities. Kathak
(North India)
Narrative expression (abhinaya) and rhythm (tala). Emotive expressions like Shringara (love) and Karuna (compassion); Sufi and bhakti influences. Kuchipudi
(Andhra Pradesh)
Integrates acting with dance. Emphasizes spirituality and devotion in performances dedicated to mythological stories Manipuri Deeply rooted in devotional themes from Natya Shastra. Focus on Shringara (love) and Adbhuta (awe) through graceful movements and gestures in Raslila and devotional narratives. Conclusion
As dance continues to evolve, the principles of the Natya Shastra remain pivotal in preserving the essence of these art forms, ensuring their relevance in the modern world while honoring their ancient spiritual and emotive roots.To get PDF version, Please click on "Print PDF" button.
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