1. Natya – The Spirit of Dance By Apsara Asia and Maya Dance Theatre Post-Show
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2. 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?
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3. 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.
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4. Try and recall… One hasta you saw during the show What is it called?
What does it represent?
Show it to your partner.
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5. 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:
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6. 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:
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7. 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:
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8. 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:
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9. 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:
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10. Abhinayas – Facial expressions
Can you recall the NINE navarasas (moods) that abhinayas (expressions) produce?
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11. The 9 navaRasas… Srinigar – Love Hasya – Humour Raudra – Anger
Karuna – Compassion
Veera – Heroism
Beebatsam – Disgust
Bhayanaka – Fear
Arputha – Astonishment
Shanta – Peace
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12. 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
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13. Example of a freeze frame
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14. 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
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15. 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.
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16. 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.
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17. 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
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18. 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
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19. 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
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20. 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
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21. 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
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22. 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
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23. 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?
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24. 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.
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25. 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.
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