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Namaskaram
Dhanya slokam in Dance
Guru Brahma Gurur Vishnu Guru Devo Maheshwaraha
Guru Saakshat Para Brahma Tasmai Sree Gurave Namaha
Meaning:Guru is verily the representative of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
He creates, sustains knowledge and destroys the weeds of ignorance.
I salute such a Guru.
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[1]
Before starting out with our sessions, we always do the NAMASKAR.
Here the dancer bows down in respect to the following:
1). Musicians
2). Stage
3). God
4). Guru
5). Audience
The Namaskar is done both before the dance and at the end of it.
[2]
SAMAPADAM –LEGS TOGETHER Standing straight, legs joined, eyes straight, hands on the hips.
This may sound easy, but it is very important for a dancer.
When a dancer is given rest in between the dance he/she should be in this position.
[3]
MANDI – FULL SEATED POSITION This is a full seated position perhaps the most
painful one to grasp and reproduce. One tends to trip and lose balance many times
in the initial stages. But it settles down slowly.
Here too, the eyes must be focused straight and the back is to be erect.
[4]
HAND POSITIONS: Hands to the sides with a slight curve. Elbows to be erect and not to drop.
This gesture is difficult causing quite some pain in the elbows. It is again practice;
more importantly, practice with a positive mind that “ I am going to master this! “.
[5]
ARDHAMANDALA: is the basic posture in Bharatanatyam. It is a recurring motif that gives the distinctive geometrical nature to the movements in Bharatanatyam. Considering the importance of this posture, I would like to share four things a new student needs to take care:
Ensure that the feet is planted firmly flat on the ground. One of the common mistakes noticed is that the heels are raised. Avoid swaying of the waist. We should try and ensure that the waist movement is kept to a minimum when we do steps in this posture. When tapping the feet, maintain the Ardhamandal posture as you started. It is noticed that we tend to straighten the legs as we tap. There is a tendency to bend forward(when seen from the side) in Ardhmandal position. Try and keep the back straight. The Natyashastra says that in Ardhamandala, the distance between the head and the navel becomes equal to that between the earth and the navel.
[6]
An Adavu is the combination of:
1). Position of the legs (Sthanakam)
2). Posture of our standing (Mandalam)
3). Walking movement (Chari)
4). Hand gestures (nritta hastas)
[7]
Mulumandi in Bharatanatyam
Steps could vary from jumps in poorna mandala
to jumping and touching one knee on the floor.
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Bharatanatyam-Drishti Bhedas
1. Matsya Avatar
2. Kurma Avatara
3. Varaha Avatara
4. Narasimha Avatara
5. Vamana Avatara
6. Parashurama
7. Ramachandra
8. Balramavatara
9. Krishna
10. Kalki
[1]
Matsya Avatara
Vishnu took the form of a big fish. There is a story about this in Hindu scriptures. The Asuras or the demons snatched the Vedas, the holy books of the Hindus, and went deep inside the sea. At this point, Vishnu changed his form. He became a matsya, that is, a fish. He entered the sea and brought back the Vedas.
It says that when hands are held in Matsya gesture, the Matsya avatara is depicted. Also after showing this particular incarnation, it is suggested that both hands in tripataka hasta at shoulder level be used as an inference to show lord Vishnu.
When the right palm is placed over the back of left palm, both palm being in Ardhachandra hasta.
matsya hasta viniyoga : It says that this gesture is used to denote a Fish. The Matsya Avatara of Lord Vishnu is also denoted by this gesture.
Matsya / Fish
[2]
Kurma Avatara
Here Vishnu took the form of a Turtle (kurma) and then goes the story of the samudra manthan or the churning of the ocean.
This Kurma Avatara is also shown by using the Kurma hand gesture and later holding the tripataka hasta with both hands at the shoulder level as inference to lord Vishnu.
Kurma / Turtle
[3]
Varaha Avatara
Lord Vishnu takes the form of a Boar(varaha). Here the Lord kills the demon Hiranyaksha and saves the vedas
The Varaha hasta is depicted with the use of varaha hand gesture at the stomach level and then placing the hands on the hips. When both hands in Mrigashirsha hasta and the right palm is placed over the left palm, we get the Varaha hasta.
varaha: It means that this hasta is used to denote a Boar or a wild pig. The Varaha avatara of lord Vishnu is depicted by this gesture.
[4]
Narasimha Avatara
Here the lord takes the form of half man and half beast. He assumes the form of lion headed man and proves how the little boy Prahalad was a true devotee. Narasimha avatara is depicted when Simhamukha hasta is held in the left hand and Tripataka hasta in the right hand.
[5]
Vamana Avatara
Here the lord incarnates himself as a dwarf priest to restore Indra’s authority over the heavens, which was taken away by force by the demon king Bali and liberates the Asura king Bali. Vamana avatara is shown by holding left hand in mushti hasta at the shoulder level (to show the umbrella that he carried) and right hand also in Mushti at the level of the the thigh. The inner side to the palm is facing down.
[6]
Parashurama Avatar
Parashu means an axe, so the word literally means Rama with an axe. The purpose of the sixth incarnation of Vishnu is considered by religious scholars to be to relieve the earth’s burden by exterminating the sinful, destructive and irreligious monarchs that pillaged its resources, and neglected their duties as kings. The right hand is held in Ardhapataka. This hand is raised up to show the axe. The left ✋ Ardhachandra is kept at the hips.
[7]
Ramachandra Avatar
Here the lord takes birth as a son of Dhasharataha and kaushalya in Ayodhya. And later leads the life with strict adherence of satya (truth) and Dharma despite hardship and personal travails. Hold Shikhara hasta in the left hand raised to the head level to show his Bow. Right hand in kapitta hasta held at the thigh level.
[8]
Balramavatara Avatar
Balarama is known as the elder brother of krishna. He is known for his imminence power and hence the name balrama where “bal” means power in sanskrit. Balarama Avatara is depicted with right hand in pataka hasta and the the left hand in Mushti hasta facing downwards. (To show his weapon mace or in sanskrit, the Gada)
[9]
Krishna Avatar
In sanskrit the word ‘Krishn’ means black or dark and and is used as a name to describe someone with dark skin. Krishna is often depicted as a baby, as a young boy playing a flute. Main purpose of this avatar was to provide the mankind with a manual of life – The Bhagavat Gita.
Bring left hand near right cheek. Left hand in mrigashirsa hasta facing inwards and the right hand is also in mrigashirsha but facing outwards. This is to show the flute that he carries.
[10]
Kalki Avatar
It is said in the scriptures that lord Vishnu will come to end the present age of darkness and destruction known as Kali Yuga. Some represent him as an amalgam of a horses head and a man’s body.
Kalki Avatara is depicted with right hand in Pataka hasta and the left hand in tripataka hasta.
©2013-2016 Pushpaarpanam Dance Group. All rights reserved
©Pushpaarpanam Dance Group. All rights reserved
