Indian Classical Dance Quiz

Nritta

Abstract dance movements with rhythm, but without expression of a theme or emotion. Also called pure dance.

Nrithya

Convey meaning and show emotion, through a vocabulary of hand gestures, postures, and facial expressions. Their purpose is to portray a theme or feeling, and to transmit an experience of it to the audience.

Nattuvangam

Cymbals played by the Guru

Kalakshetra

In 1936, this institute was started by Rukmani Devi Arundale in Chennai. In October 1993, the Ministry of Human Resource and Development declared it as an autonomous body and an institution of national importance. It is now called as the ----- Foundation College of Fine Arts.

Silapadikaaram

Name the famous Tamil epic of the 2nd century BC? one of the 5 greatest epics of Tamil literature which has details of Tamil culture, its varied religions, its town plans and city types, the social life of different people, and the arts of dance and music. This epic is authored by Ilango Adigal. It is a long story with many characters, varied situations, descriptions, mix of emotions. Most importantly it has details of grammar for Music and Dance.

Satvika

relates to the expression of emotional states that result from circumstances or events.

E Krishna Iyer, Rukmini Devi Arundale

Name the pioneers who were behind the revival of Bharatanatyam. They brought the dance out of the temple precincts and onto the proscenium

Mellinam

Gentle- one of 2 aspects involved in playing the cymbals.

Vallinam

Strong- one of 2 aspects involved in playing the cymbals.

Samyutha hastas

gestures using both hands. There are 23

Asamyutha Hasthas

gestures using one hand. There are 28

Devadasis

means "Servant of God". This grew to a system where young girls were dedicated to the temple for service. They would sing, dance and play many musical instruments. They were well versed in Sanskrit and other languages. Since these dancers were called Devadasis, Bharatnatyam was originally called Dasi Attam. In the olden days, the Devadasis were not allowed to have families, as they led a very strict life.

Bharatanatyam

one of the oldest classical dance forms of India. It was nurtured in the temples and courts of southern India since ancient times. The name is a simple derivation from the four most important aspects of dance (in Sanskrit).

Angika

relates to body movements, which are the primary means of expression in Bharatanatyam

Aharya

relates to expression through costume, jewelry, and make-up. These elements should be designed to complement the emotions being expressed by the dancer and the singer.

Vachika

relates to expression through speech or song. In Bharatanatyam, vachika pertains to how the singer expresses the emotion through the music

Abhinaya

the art of expressions medium of presentation to communicate or convey the ideas and feelings to the audience. This can be done through the hastas, mime and coordinated movements.

Natyasastra

the oldest surviving ancient Sanskrit text on performing arts written by Bharata muni with sections on the theory and practice of various performance arts. The roots of the text extend at least far back around the mid 1st millennium BCE. It consist of 36 chapters with 6000 poetic verses.

Hastha Mudra

The hand gestures of Bharatanatyam. Gestures play an important role in communication. When these hand gesture form definite patterns systematically and artistically and are adopted in dance, they are called Hastas.

nritta, nritya, natya

What are the three broad divisions of the art of classical dance according to Natyasastra treatise?

Lord Natraja (Shiva)

Who is called the Lord or King of Dance?

Bharata Muni

an ancient Indian scholar who wrote the Natya Shastra, an ancient Sanskrit text on performing arts. He is considered the father of Indian theatrical art forms.