ORIGIN OF TANDAV BY:- KAVITA

ORIGIN OF TANDAV Tāṇḍavam (also known as Tāṇḍava nṛtya) is a divine dance performed by the Hindu god Shiva. Shiva's Tandava is described as a vigorous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution. The Tandavam takes its name from Tandu(taṇḍu), the attendant of Shiva, who instructed Bharata (author of the Natya Shastra) in the use of Angaharas and Karanas, modes of the Tandava at Shiva's order. Some scholars consider that Tandu himself must have been the author of an earlier work on the dramatic arts, which was incorporated into the Natya Shastra. Indeed, the classical arts of dance, music and song may derive from the mudras and rituals of Shiva tradition.

The dance is a pictorial allegory of the five principal manifestations of eternal energy: Srishti - creation, evolution Sthiti - preservation, support Samhara - destruction, evolution Tirobhava - illusion Anugraha - release, emancipation, grace Thus Tandava symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death.  

The Taandav is danced in 4 positions:- Abhanga: Here the body is kept and turned normally Sambhang: Here the breaks are equal and symmetrical on both sides. Tribhang: This is done from a tilted angle. Atibhang: This invovles complicated acts and twists by the body.  

In the Hindu texts, at least seven types of Tandava are found: Ananda Tandava, Tripura Tandava, Sandhya Tandava, Samhara Tandava, Kali (Kalika) Tandava, Gauri Tandava   However, some people believe that there are 16 types of Tandava