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PHOTO: N. SRIDHARAN
JUST MOVEMENT Such ornamental postures characterise a tillana in a Bharatanatyam performance.
Dance, Music
Shabdam: Like other classical dance compositions, the term shabdam refers to a musical form. We find that the dance items in the classical dance repertoires are all actually names of musical forms. Thus the shabdam is a composition of Carnatic music. Shabdam is commonly a part of the Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi repertoires. The name comes from Sanskrit for `word', in an allusion to words of praise. In Bharatanatyam, this composition introduces abhinaya or expressional dance in an elementary way. It contains both expression and rhythmic dance. The shabdam is primarily a storytelling dance. In the Kuchipudi repertoire, shabdams are presented in a more elaborate way. The Manduka shabdam, which recounts the story of Mandodari the frog princess and her marriage to Ravana, is a popular shabdam in the Kuchipudi repertoire.
Varnam: The varnam, again a musical form found in Carnatic music, gets its name from the Sanskrit for `colour'. It is one of the most important dance items in the Bharatanatyam repertoire. It is also found in Kuchipudi and other dance forms of South India. The varnam contains lyrics as well as swara patterns. The lyrics are interpreted by the dancer with numerous variations, using hand gestures (mudras) and facial expression. Before going from line of the text to the next, the dancer performs footwork set to rhythmic recitation. In addition, the swara passages are set to footwork and ornamental postures. Thus the varnam is a dance composition that tests the dancer's stamina, rhythmic skills, expressional ability and talent to hold an audience. In a Carnatic music concert, the varnam serves as the starting, warm-up piece and is sung at a brisk pace with relatively less elaboration than the songs that come later.
Tarana: This is a song made up of drum syllables, like Dheem Ta Na Na Na, or Na Dhrit Tani. Legend has it that the composition was invented by Amir Khusrau. The tarana is popular as a sung composition but is associated with Kathak dance also. In performing a tarana, the dancer executes rhythmic footwork at medium and fast speed.
Tillana: The tillana is a composition of Carnatic music. Like the tarana, it is made up of drum syllables. Tillana is often the concluding item of a Bharatanatyam performance. The dancer executes statuesque postures and ornamental steps to the rhythmic lines.
Usually, towards the end of the tillana comes a verse in praise of a deity. While there is no story line the predominant mood of a tillana is exuberant joy.
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