Articles on India

 

India is a land of immense diversity, showcasing a vibrant tapestry of cultures, communities, and languages, each offering unique and intriguing facts. Its rich history, culture, cuisine, and innovation reflect a celebration of the human spirit that resonates beyond its borders.

Interesting and unique facts about India.

https://indianetzone.wordpress.com/

https://inz-india.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/indianetzoneArtCulture/

https://x.com/TrewenDass

https://www.linkedin.com/in/trewen-dass-5609a4274/

https://www.tumblr.com/blog/indianetzone336

https://www.instagram.com/trewendass/

https://in.pinterest.com/trewend/

https://indianetzonecom.wordpress.com/

https://indianetzonecom.blogspot.com/

Kalamandalam Radhika

 Kalamandalam Radhika started dancing at the age of three, under training of Guru Rajan. In her quest to learn the different aspects of dance she learnt mridhangam vaitharis from Guru Ponniah pillai to attain mastery over the techniques of rhythm. She then learnt Kathakali from Muttar Sri. Narayana Panicker to hone her skills and talent. She later specialized in Mohiniattam having studied under the all time Great Gurus like Late Chinnammuamma and Kalamandalam Sathyabhama. She was also under the teaching of Late Kalamandalam Kalyani Kutty Amma for a short period. Her training under Kalamandalam Padmanabha Ashan in kathakali polished her Abhinayam to a great extent.

Kalamandalam Radhika was born in Bangalore to K.K Nair, a chartered accountant. She started learning dancing at the age of three under Guru Rajan, and later learnt Kathakali from Muttar Sri. Narayana Panicker and mridhangamvaitharis from Guru Ponniahpillai. In the late 1960s, she moved to Cheruthuruthy and stayed at the Kalamandalam for four years. Under the wings of Chinnammu Amma, Kalamandalam Sathyabhama and Kalamandalam Padmanabhan Nair she was moulded into a skilled performer. Her tutelage under the late Kalamandalam Kalyani Kutty Amma and her training under Kalamandalam Padmanabha Ashan in Kathakali honed her skills.

Radhika has written numerous articles for the dance and music magazine Shrutilaya and has submitted a paper on Mohiniyattom at a seminar organized by the NCERT on the subject of ‘Dance Education in Schools'. She has also written an article about the Devadasi system of Kerala for the weekly Indu , published from Houston, USA, and is the author of the books 'Mohiniyattom-The Lyrical Dance of Kerala´ and ‘Mudra’ published by Mathrabhoomi.

 

Naati Dance

Naati dance is one of the prominent dance forms of the Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh state of India. It is a traditional folk dance of the local inhabitants that reflects the rich cultural tradition of the people of the region. Himachal Pradesh is said to be the home of several tribes who follow different customs and traditions. The Naati dance of the Kullu district is one such traditional folk art that confirms to the variant cultural life of the people of the state. The Naati dance is an integral part of any festive occasion and fair. The otherwise dull and boring life of the tribes of the region is infused with fresh energy and renewed vigour.

There are several varieties of Nati performed like Kullvi Nati, Mahasuvi Nati, Sirmauri Nati, Kinnauri Nati,Saraji Nati, Suketi Nati, Churahi Nati,Brada Nati, Bangani Nati, Jaunpuri Nati, etc. People of Lahaul district have their own distinct dance called "Garphi" and Nati is not a part of Lahauli culture. The Kinnauri Nati dance is mime-like and includes languid sequences. Important among the dances of Nati is 'Losar shone chuksom'. The name from Losai, or the New Year. Activities such as sowing the crop and reaping it are included in it.

There is no restriction on the male or female dancers, both can participate in the Nati dance. In the olden days, women and men used to perform is separate groups. The group of dancers is led by some main male dancers who carry a fly whisk.Initially, all dancers hold hand and make a circle. It can be considered a slow dance but in between styles they pick up beat and dance according to beats. At the end of the Nati, a Yagna is performed by the dancers to pay homage to gods and goddesses.

Both male and female clothing of Himachal Pradesh are beautiful so think about the costumes that they get specially made for dancing. Yes, they are mesmerizing.Men wear woollen robes with churidar and women wear long robes similar to that of male. On the head, the male wears Himachali topi or a hat with flowers fixed on it whereas women cover their head with scarves.

Naati dance is usually performed to the accompaniment of various musical instruments which comprises of Shehnai, Dhol, Nagara, Karnal and Narsingha. 

Saswati Sen

Saswati Sen is a celebrated Kathak Dancer who ranks in the front in the field of Kathak dance. She performs and teaches Kathak with her guru Birju Maharaj. She has been regarded as one of the skilled disciple of Birju Maharaj. Saswati Sen was initiated to Kathak training under the expert guidance of Reba Vidyarthi at Kathak Kendra, Delhi. Today she serves her institution as the leading dancer of Kathak dance. The well known dancer stands tall among all her contemporary dancers in the way she has beautified the Kathak dance with a touch of the traditions and existing approach.

Saswati today is regarded as an artist with immense versatility and talent and one of the best exponents of the famed Lucknow Gharana. She has trained a large number of students, many from overseas. She has acquired the true style of her mentor and incorporates into her own presentation both the lyrical grace and rhythmic virtuosity of Kathak. However, her forte is abhinaya which has always received high appreciation. Ms. Sen today is the driving force behind Kalashram, Pt Birju Maharaj’s dream institution and is its Secretary. She also finds time for her primary avatar as guru, and teaches the nuances of Kathak to all seekers. She travels extensively at home and abroad disseminating the knowledge she has gained over years of dedication and keeps the Kalashram Kathak community together. She has choreographed several group compositions as well as dance-dramas.

Awards of Saswati Sen

The dancer is a proud recipient of Sangeet Natak Academy Award for 2004-2005 and also the Sanskrit Award, the Shringar Mani Award, the critic’s Recommendation Award.

Future Plans of Saswati Sen

Saswati today is the secretary and the pouring force behind the institution which was her Guru, Pt Birju Maharaj's dream. Saswati travels widely at home and overseas disseminating the acquaintance she has gained over years of dedication and keeps the Kalashram Kathak community together. She has been very popular as a teacher and has been teaching regularly since 1980. Among her plans one is the desire to work towards popularizing Kathak in Kerala.

 

Jhijhian Dance of Bihar

Jhijhiya (also called Jhijhari) is a cultural folk dance of Mithila and Bhojpuri region of India and Nepal.It is performed during the Dusshera festival, in the Hindu month of Ashwin (September/October). The dance is performed to offer devotion towards goddess Durga—the goddess of victory as well as to protect one's family, children and society from witches and dark magic

Objective of Jhijhian Dance

This dance is related to rain and the objective is very different. The cultivation of food crops is an important means of living in India hence the rain is the most important factor. So, it is sung when there is no rain for a long time than its usual arrival. Through 'Jhijhian', the villagers portray the drought when there is not a single drop of rain anywhere, the lands are cracked and parched, the sky is lifeless without clouds and the people are awaiting rains. Hence, this is an exact time, for the performance of this dance, when the village women pray to Lord Indra for rain.

Performance

The dance is performed by the people of Mithila and Bhojpuri region of India and Nepal. The dance is performed every evening from the day of Ghatasthapana to Bijaya Dashami. It is believed that this dance is performed to protect one's children and society from witches. It is believed that the ritual was initiated to reduce the influence of the witches' magic upon one's family. Women dance with a clay pot on their head. Multiple holes are made inside the pot and a lamp is kept inside it. There is also a popular belief that if a witch succeeds in counting the holes in the pot placed on a woman's head, the dancing woman will die immediately.

 

 

Kaikotti Kali Dance

Kaikottikali Dance is a ceremonial dance and is often performed during the festive seasons like Thiruvathira and Onam by the regional womenfolk of Kerala. It is a simple and gentle dance with the 'lasya' element forming its main part in overall dance. Sometimes, even men participate in it, where the 'thandava' part is also brought in dance performance occasionally. The Thandava form of this dance form is observed particularly in the regions of Malabar.

Thiruvathira as a dance form is a collective performance by women around a traditional wick lamp (Nila Vilakku). A container or Kindi filled with water, Arippara or barrel of rice and Ashtamangalayam (set of eight auspicious elements) are also arranged near the lamp. The dancers co-ordinate their hand movements as they go clapping upwards and downwards in a rhythm, in tune with the songs that they are singing.

Women are seen dressed in traditional Kerala attire. It may be either two pieces of cloth called Mundu Neriyathu or a Kerala sari. The dancers tie their hair in a bun and decorate it with jasmine flowers and a small bunch of Dasapushpam (10 sacred flowers). The dance performance usually begins in praise of Ganesha followed by a prayer to Saraswati called Saraswati Vandanam. Songs in praise of Siva and Vishnu, folk tales and Kathakali songs are also performed by singers in the background. The dancers move in a circle, making both fast and slow movements in a graceful manner according to the rhythm of the song.

Ceremonies begin with the eating of a special meal called Ettangadi on Makairyam day, the day before Thiruvathira day. The ingredients of Ettangadi are sorghum, yam, kachil, berry, yam, lentil, sugar, and honey. It is eaten the night before. But this ceremony is not observed today. Drink water and charcoal water.

 Dasapushkas are collected in front of the house during the day. Thiruvathirakali starts after sunset. After Thiruvathira nakshatramudhi at midnight, the dancers sing devotional songs and bring dasa flowers along with Ashtamangalyam holding the lamp to the house. Later they wear these flowers in their hair. This is called half-breeding. The flowers are lit by singing songs praising the deities of each flower. Crows are also seen