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Learn the lingo
All dressed up The Vasakasajja nayika bedecks herself in finery and decorates her house as well, in happy expectation of the arrival of her beloved.
Dance
Vasakasajja, Vasakasajjika: One of the ashta nayikas (Learn the Lingo of 14 September), the Vasakasajja or Vasakasajjika nayika is the woman who is all decked up and waiting expectantly for the arrival of her beloved. She is not only dressed in all her finery but has decorated the house also for his reception. The Vasakasajjika is keen to meet her beloved, and although she is impatient, she does not show signs of misgiving or mistrust at his delay. It could be called a state of bliss in itself. Since the characters described in the classical scriptures are types rather than individuals, the situation of the various ashta nayikas is an expanded moment, so to speak. And, as Keats describes in his “Ode on a Grecian Urn”, the frozen moment of expectation is even happier than the fulfilment of the wish, since it will never fade or change.
Music
Taan: A taan is a fast, intricate musical improvisation, found principally in Hindustani vocal music. Once the vocalist has sung the alap (Learn the Lingo of 2 March 2007) of the raga and introduced the lyrics, the raga is further elaborated in the taans.
A taan is a set of notes in a pattern, sung using akaar (Learn the Lingo of 2 March 2007), rather than solfa syllables (Sa, Ri, Ga, etc.).
The taans are usually delivered at fast speed, designed to show the vocalist’s virtuosity in maintaining the pitch even while manipulating the voice dramatically between octaves.
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Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
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