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CLASSIC DANCE
Indian Dance, entire range of
performance forms of the Indian subcontinent, which has one
of the richest such traditions in the world. During the
cultural revivalist period preceding Indian independence in
1947, extant forms were redeveloped, rehabilitated, and
brought under a loose classification for the purposes of
scholarship. Today it is possible to recognize seven
classical dance forms alongside several semi-classical forms
more closely allied to martial arts and theatre, as well as
folk and tribal dances, film and show dance, and a modern
and contemporary dance movement. The coexistence of these
varied aspects of Indian dance constitutes a major part of
the Indian dance performance diaspora since the early 20th
century.
Shiva as Nataraja (Lord of the
Dance)
This bronze sculpture, entitled Shiva as Nataraja (Lord of
the Dance) (c. ad 1000), is one of a number of sculptures of
the Hindu god Shiva made during India’s Chola dynasty (10th
to 13th centuries). The sculpture shows Shiva dancing within
a circle of fire. One of the god’s hands holds a flame,
while the other beats on a drum. His foot rests on the demon
of ignorance.
Each form is related to a particular musical and rhythmic
system, roughly divided into northern Hindustani music or
southern Carnatic music, as well as to a language, although
Sanskrit terminology is a common element to all forms,
particularly in training.
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Bharatanatyam is considered
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