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Popularising classical dances
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This book gives information on six popular dances of the country
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TINGLING BELLS: Kathak is one of the styles featured in the book
In traditional dance, each style is unique. But, there are common features that link one to the other.
The book, `Popular Classical Dances of India' by dancer and musicologist Vidya Bhavani Suresh is an effort to bring together under a single cover six dance traditions and their intrinsic qualities.
This is the 25th book in the Demystifying Fine Arts series, written by Vidya and published by her editor-husband B.A. Suresh under Skanda Publications.
The book is divided into six segments — Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Kathak and Odissi. Each segment, in turn, is divided into chapters for easier understanding of concepts.
The chapter on Bharatanatyam addresses questions pertaining to the soul of the dance - beyond the dancer's subdued Vadassery jewellery and beneath the stage-managed perfection and the air of tradition and mystique that surrounds this dance form.
Explaining technique
The chapters explain the technical terms in detail. The core aspects of adavu — the araimandi (leg position), samapadam, mandi and two hand positions are illustrated with pictures to help you identify them in a concert. Single hand mudras, double hand mudras - their meanings, bhava and rasa are also illustrated.
In Mohiniyattam, she explains how the dance form shares a similarity with Bharatanatyam and what lends it uniqueness — body language and other features peculiar to Mohiniyattam.
A large number of colour and black and white pictures have been used to explain the various dance forms.
The performing technique of Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), the speciality of Kuchipudi steps, facial expressions and the aharya abhinaya (which denotes stage properties, costumes, make-up, hairstyling) have also been discussed.
Does Kathakali have anything in common with Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam? You will find the answer in the chapter on training to be a Kathakali dancer. The elaborate Kathakali make-up is captured in colour photographs.
Kathak and Odissi styles also feature in the book, priced at Rs. 495. For details, call (044) 24957560 & 24957237.
K.JESHI
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