Captured by : Pg3. ANCHOR
Students elegantly curve their hands before breaking into synchronised footwork at a class in New Delhi, where growing numbers are signing up for Indian traditional dance classes rooted in Hindu mythology. Class participants range from from pre-teens to surgeons and marketing managers -- but they have all chosen to learn traditional Indian dance, which emerged from the country's temples centuries ago, over western options such as ballet, jazz and hip hop.
"Tradition is becoming popular now," said Nitya Pant, a Mumbai-based marketing executive who practises Odissi -- an ancient temple-based dance that honours Hindu Lord Jagannath, Lord of the Universe. "No other form can give you the satisfaction that classical dance gives you," added the 29-year-old. "You feel like you're one with God." Such is the appeal that Pant flies to Delhi, spending around Rs7,250 every weekend, on flights just to train under acclaimed dancer Madhumita Raut.
India is home to eight major classical dance styles including Odissi and Bharatnatyam -- a genre originating in the country's southern temples more than 2,000 years ago -- that tell stories of gods through facial expressions, hand gestures and rapid footwork. They run deep in India's culture, performed at marriages, folk festivals, school contests, on reality shows and most notably in Bollywood films.
While reasons for enrolling vary from exercise to extra-curricular points in college applications, Nabanita Baul Dutta says dance saved her from depression. "Dance is happiness to me," said the 23-year-old house wife, who has been learning Bharatnatyam in Delhi for the past year. "After moving to Delhi, I went into depression... Then I found akka (guru), I came to her and I got out of depression," said Dutta. In a cramped living room, Dutta's guru Aayurshi Neeraj recites a 'sollukattu' -- a sequence of syllables that correspond to movements -- keeping rhythm with a wooden stick and plank. Her students clasp their hands in front of them and stamp out beats with their feet. "Bharatnatyam to me is spirituality, it is a meditation and it's a favourite dance to Lord Shiva," said Neeraj.
Once performed in temples and royal courts, India's classical dance has found international resonance with troupes performing around the world. Thanks to a mushrooming Indian diaspora, traditional dance schools have popped up globally, piquing the interest of other nationalities too.
Back in Delhi, the students say the West looks to India in search of spirituality, culture and history, which is why this classical art has gained international popularity. "What is lacking, especially in the US and so, they don't have a very rich cultural history... I think they seek and they want to find that piece of ancient history, that art form," said Pant, who has been learning Odissi since she was 14. "They're leaning to India because we've had the most ancient civilisations and that's why India and its culture has become so popular."
Her guru Raut, an award-winning dancer who has lived, taught and performed in Europe, the US and Japan, believes Indian dance transcends borders between people and countries. "Today it's music, tomorrow it's costume, day after tomorrow it's movement. It's so graceful. There's no end to it," Raut said. "It's a vast treasure and it can be shared and it will only spread and spread."
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The 6 dances of India
• Originally a temple dance for women, Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu often is used to express Hindu religious stories and devotions.
• Kathakali comes Kerala. Kathakali is traditionally performed by boys and men, even for female roles.
• A dance of northern India, Kathak is often a dance of love. It is performed by both men and women.
• Manipuri comes from Manipur. Unlike some of the other, more rhythmic dances, Manipuri is characterized by smooth and graceful movements.
• Unlike the other styles mentioned, kuchipudi requires talent in both dancing and singing. This dance, from Andhra Pradesh, is highly ritualized, with a formalised song-and-dance introduction
• Odissi is indigenous to Orissa. It is predominantly a dance for women, with postures that replicate those found in temple sculptures. Based on archaeological findings, Odissi is believed to be the oldest of the surviving Indian classical dances.
