Bharatanatyam
Dhwani is a classical Bharat Natyam danseuse. Indian classical dances trace their roots in ancient Indian texts, among which Natyashashtra and Abhinaya Darpan are the principal ones (both written around 400 BC). Like classical arts of any cultural tradition, Indian classical dances have their definite rules and regulations. Attaining proficiency in a Classical Dance demands years and years of rigorous practice, disciplined learning and obedience and respect for the Guru. The major Classical Dances of India are Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Sattriya.
Bharata Natyam is the classical Dance originated in the region of Tamilnadu. There are different theories about the origin of the term Bharata Natyam. While it’s clear that the word 'Natyam' means Theatre or Drama in Sanskrit; for the origin of the term Bharata, one argument is that it’s based on the writer of the Natyashastra, Bharata Muni. The other argument says that the word Bharata is composed of three different words, namely Bhava, Raga and Tala. Bhava means expression, Raga means the melody and Tala means rhythm. Bharata Natyam is the dance that combines emotion, melody and rhythm and weaves them together to create drama. It’s a dance of theatre. Being a dance form that originated and flourished in temples, one can see the grace and beauty of ancient sculptures of Indian temples, reflected in the 'sculpturesque' postures and poses of the dancer.
Bharata Natyam is the classical Dance originated in the region of Tamilnadu. There are different theories about the origin of the term Bharata Natyam. While it’s clear that the word 'Natyam' means Theatre or Drama in Sanskrit; for the origin of the term Bharata, one argument is that it’s based on the writer of the Natyashastra, Bharata Muni. The other argument says that the word Bharata is composed of three different words, namely Bhava, Raga and Tala. Bhava means expression, Raga means the melody and Tala means rhythm. Bharata Natyam is the dance that combines emotion, melody and rhythm and weaves them together to create drama. It’s a dance of theatre. Being a dance form that originated and flourished in temples, one can see the grace and beauty of ancient sculptures of Indian temples, reflected in the 'sculpturesque' postures and poses of the dancer.
Gujarati Folk Dance - Garba & Ras
Dhwani hails from Ahmedabad, the biggest city of Gujarat. Garba is the symbol of the cultural heritage of Gujarat. Every year, during the festival of Navratri (literally means nine nights) every Gujarati, enjoys dancing Garba to the tunes of traditional music of the region. The name garba comes from the Sanskrit term Garbha ("womb") and Deep ("a small earthenware lamp"). Many traditional garbas are performed around a central-lit lamp or an image of the Goddess Amba placed in the middle. Dancer form a circle around the object of veneration placed in the middle and move bending sideways at every step, their arms making sweeping gestures, with each movement ending in a clap.
Dandiya Ras
Dandiya Raas is a simple, rhythmic dance performed by young people moving around in an imaginary circle in measured steps to the beat of dandiya sticks that they carry in their hands. The beat for the dance is kept by the clacking sticks. A variation of this dance is Matka Nritya in which performers strike their fingers against empty pots to generate a distinctive beat. In the Mer Rasa, the dance begins on a slow note but the tempo speeds up during the performance. Members of the shepherd community perform the Gher Rasa using long sticks. Another agricultural community performs the Gheria Rasa holding a stick in one hand and a peacock feather in the other. Yet another variation of the Dandiya raas is the Gof Gunthan in which dancers carry sticks in only one hand, and a length of colored string in the other. The latter is woven into a unique pattern as they move around in a circle.
Apart from these there are also other interesting variants of Garba, like Hudo, Tippani, Bedu and Garbi.
Dandiya Ras
Dandiya Raas is a simple, rhythmic dance performed by young people moving around in an imaginary circle in measured steps to the beat of dandiya sticks that they carry in their hands. The beat for the dance is kept by the clacking sticks. A variation of this dance is Matka Nritya in which performers strike their fingers against empty pots to generate a distinctive beat. In the Mer Rasa, the dance begins on a slow note but the tempo speeds up during the performance. Members of the shepherd community perform the Gher Rasa using long sticks. Another agricultural community performs the Gheria Rasa holding a stick in one hand and a peacock feather in the other. Yet another variation of the Dandiya raas is the Gof Gunthan in which dancers carry sticks in only one hand, and a length of colored string in the other. The latter is woven into a unique pattern as they move around in a circle.
Apart from these there are also other interesting variants of Garba, like Hudo, Tippani, Bedu and Garbi.
