Natya – The Spirit of Dance By Apsara Asia and Maya Dance Theatre Post-Show © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Let’s recall! Round Robin What is Natya – The Spirit of Dance about? Did you enjoy the show? Why? State ONE thing you learned from it. What is a hasta? What is thaala? What is abhinaya? © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Hastas A hasta is… A hand gesture that tells a story. It can represent an object, animal or action. One hand gesture can have many meanings depending on the situation/story In Bharatanatyam, there are: 32 single hand gestures called as Asamyukta hasta 23 double hand gestures called as Samyukta hasta. © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Try and recall… One hasta you saw during the show What is it called? What does it represent? Show it to your partner. © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Asamyukta Hasta Try these out… 1. Tripitaaka 2. Mrigasheersha 3. Kartarimukha It can represent… A crown A tree An arrow Thunder A lamp A pigeon It can represent… A Deer’s head Women’s cheek A wheel A lute It can represent… Scissors Death Lightning Sleeping Image Source: http://onlinebharatanatyam.com/index1/ © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

samyukta Hasta Try it out… Anjali Putting it together… Both palms, joined together no spaces between fingers It can represent… a greeting to the gods, elders, or teachers Image Source: http://onlinebharatanatyam.com/index1/ © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

samyukta Hasta Try it out… 2. Samputha Putting it together… cup both palms together leave a hollow in the middle of the palms It can represent… a closed box a secret Image Source: http://onlinebharatanatyam.com/index1/ © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

samyukta Hasta Try it out… 3. Varaha Putting it together… TWO mrigasheersha put together (Remember this from the earlier slide?) right palm above, left below It can represent… a wild pig or a boar Image Source: http://onlinebharatanatyam.com/index1/ © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

samyukta Hasta Try it out… 4. Pushpaputa Putting it together… inner palms face up create a hollow in the middle of each palm join both palms together where the little fingers are It can represent… a plate or a bowl offering flowers to the gods accepting water Image Source: http://www.indianetzone.com/38/pushpaputa_mudra.htm © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Abhinayas – Facial expressions Can you recall the NINE navarasas (moods) that abhinayas (expressions) produce? © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

The 9 navaRasas… Srinigar – Love Hasya – Humour Raudra – Anger Karuna – Compassion Veera – Heroism Beebatsam – Disgust Bhayanaka – Fear Arputha – Astonishment Shanta – Peace © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

FREEZE FRAME! Task: Split into groups. You will be randomly assigned a navarasa. Do not reveal this to the other groups In your group, come up with a FREEZE FRAME of the navarasa you have been assigned. Show the emotions clearly on your face and body postures. The rest of the class has to guess which of the navarasas your group is trying to portray. You may incorporate mudras in your freeze frame © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Example of a freeze frame © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Maar Dala from the movie, Devdas Bollywood and Dance Other than Bharatanatyam, Bollywood dance routines are also influenced by other types of Indian classical dance forms. Watch the video above to see how Kathak, another Indian classical dance form, is used in a Bollywood dance routine. Kathak features intricate footwork and body spins. Try to spot where these features appear. Maar Dala from the movie, Devdas © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Did you know… Bharatanatyam is only one form of Indian classical dance. There are 8 classical Indian dance forms as recognised by the Sangeet Natak Academy, which is the National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama in India. Let’s find out more about the other 7. © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

The other seven… Look at each of these dances to find out more… While you are watching answer these questions: Describe the movements of the dancers. What is your impression of the dance form? Did you enjoy it? Why or why not? Is it similar or different to Bharatanatyam? Find one similarity or difference in each of the dance forms. © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Indian classical dance Kathak ‘Kathak’ is derived from katha which means "the art of storytelling." The dance moved from temples to the court of rulers *click on images to open video Kuchipudi shares many common elements with Bharatanatyam Kuchipudi is the name of a village in the Divi Taluka which is near the Bay of Bengal © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Indian classical dance Odissi Also known as orissi Comes from a state called Odisha *click on images to open video Kathakali  Indian dance-drama meant to relate stories Known for its elaborate make-up and costumes © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Indian classical dance Mohini Attam ‘Mohini attam’ comes from the words "Mohini" meaning a woman who enchants onlookers "attam" means graceful movements *click on images to open video Manipuri comes from the state of Manipur The dancers do not wear ankle bells © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Indian classical dance Sattriya from Assam In Assam, the monasteries were known as sattras Traditionally performed by male monks as part of their daily rituals and prayers Now, both men and women perform Sattriya © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Folk Dance of India Besides classical dance, Bollywood also borrows from folk dance forms found in India. India is made up of many different communities with a long history. Folk dance are often associated with rituals and celebrations. Some folk dance forms that Bollywood borrows from include Bhangra, Dandiya Raas and Kummi among many others. The traditional feature of spinning and dancing around in a circle can be seen from 1.16 to 1.40 mins © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Nagada Sang Dhol from Ram Leela Folk Dance of India Watch this video from the movie Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela. It features Garba, a folk dance from Gujerat, India. Features of Garba include dancing around and in circular patterns and clapping along to the rhythm. Identify where you can spot these features in the video. Did you enjoy watching this dance? Why? The traditional feature of spinning and dancing around in a circle can be seen from 1.16 to 1.40 mins Nagada Sang Dhol from Ram Leela © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Reflect… State 3 things you enjoy about Indian dance. State 2 things you learned from the lesson. State 1 thing you would like to find out more about after this. In Singapore, what other types of traditional dance form do you know of? Do you think it is important to know about traditional dance forms? Is it important for Singaporeans to find out more these dance forms, even if it is not from their culture? Why or why not? © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Suggested Extension Activity 1   Group work: Find out more about ONE ethnic dance form that can be found in any of the communities within Singapore. Find out about: the history and origin of the dance form myth and/or rituals associated with the dance form features of the dance and basic steps the costumes Present your findings in a gallery walk/exhibition in class. © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Suggested Extension Activity 2   Group work: Find out more about ONE Indian folk dance or classical dance form and its basic dance steps. Create a simple dance routine to teach your classmates. Your dance steps must incorporate some of the basic dance steps of the dance form you are researching on. Use a Bollywood song. © The Esplanade Co. Ltd