Dances of India - Vol-1 [DVD]

Contemporary Dance - Six Classical Styles, Ras Leela and Kathak ** Episode One: MARTHYAM by Sheejith Krishna and Group. Six styles - by Lata, Gita and Group: The light from the suns rays, and the sounds of nature, inspired Man to start responding to rhythm and that was mans first dance. The first episode features an extract from MARTHYAM - an innovative dance item where the poet describes the evolution of man and imagines how the early man might have started responding to rhythm, dancing to the sound of raindrops and thunder showers. Each region of India has its own unique folk and classical dance forms, but they all share a common heritage rooted in the ancient text Natyashastra written by sage Bharata. All the styles have links with the ancient and medieval literary, sculptural and musical traditions of India and of their particular regions. The differences and commonness of the six major classical dance styles of India: Bharatanatyam from Tamilnadu, Odissi from Orissa, Manipuri from Manipur, Kathak from Uttar Pradesh, Mohiniattam from Kerala and Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh is brought out by a specially choreographed dance number. ** Episode Two: Ras leela - from Mathura. KATHAK by Nalini and Kamalini: This episode highlights Kathak, the classical from of Northern Indian with its graceful twirls and breathtaking footwork. Originating in the Krishna - Radha folk dances of Mathura and Brindavan, Kathak is still dominated by Radha-Krishna themes. This episode begins with Ras-Leela, a folk number performed by residents Mathura and Brindavan. Young boys dress up as Krishna, Radha and gopikas and perform Ras-Leela, not for mere entertainment alone but as a mode of worship. Kathak was refined to its present sophistication in the courts of the Nawabs, the Islamic influence being quite evident. The star of the 20th century Sitata Devi is past 70. We have a few clips of her performance on stage towards the fag end of her career. The episode features leading stars of the Kathak style, Nalini and Kamalini - the dancing Duo well known of their precession footwork. Nalini and Kamalini are senior disciples of Guru Jitendra Maharaj and perform the Banaras Gahanna style of Kathak.