Art & Dance - Notes

Environmental Studies

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Art
Madhubani painting:

It is a folk painting from Bihar.

Madhubani is a traditional Indian folk art made on canvas, cloth or washed hand paper.
It is also known as Mithila painting due to its origins in the Mithila region of Bihar, India,
and Nepal.
Natural dye and colours are used in the creation of Madhubani artworks with
geometrical figures and vibrant colours being key elements.
They paint pictures of nature and mythology to depict different events like birth,
marriage, and cycles of life.

Gondi painting:

Gond paintings are a form of painting from folk and tribal art that is practised by one of
the largest tribes in India with whom it shares its name.
While Gond paintings are considered to be from predominantly from Madhya Pradesh, it
is also quite common in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh and Odisha.
Gond paintings can best be described as ‘on line work’ that has an immediate effect on
the viewer.
Lines are used in such a way that it conveys a sense of movement to the still images.
Dots and dashes are added to impart a greater sense of movement and increase the
amount of detail.
The artwork is finished in bright vivid colours.

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Kalamkari painting:

Kalamkari or vrathapani is from Andhra Pradesh.

It demonstrates the variety of natural materials used to create a work of art.
Kalamkari means ‘pen work’ and refers to both printed and painted cloth.
It depicts trees, fruits, flowers and ornamental birds.
The painting is made exclusively with a pen.
The kalam is made out of a bamboo sliver wound at one section with wool and then dyed
with natural colours.
Black ink is used to make outlines, and jaggery, rusted iron filings and water are used for
making colours to fill in details.

Warli painting:

Warli tribals decorate their house walls with paintings depicting their lives and other
routine activities of their daily lives.
These rudimentary wall paintings use a set of basic geometric shapes: a circle, a triangle,
and a square.
These shapes are symbolic of different elements of nature. The circle and the triangle
come from their observation of nature.
The circle represents the sun and the moon, while the triangle depicts mountains and
conical trees.
In contrast, the square renders to be a human invention, indicating a sacred enclosure or
a piece of land.

Pattachitra:

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Pattachitra or Patachitra, another traditional art form of India, is a common term for
contemporary, cloth-based scroll painting based in the East Indian states of Odisha and
West Bengal.
The name Pattachitra is adapted from the Sanskrit language, Patta, implying canvas, and
Chitra, meaning image.
Therefore, Pattachitra is a painting rendered on canvas, illustrated by the affluent
colorful display, imaginative motifs, and designs, and a representation of cardinal
themes, often mythological in the portrayal.

Naag Gumphan

Naag Gumphan is a kind of design in which snakes are printed or decorated on the
clothes, rangoli, embroidery, and other things.
Naag Gumphan is also used as wall decoration.
Designs of this kind are used in rangoli, embroidery, and as wall decoration in
Saurashtra, Gujarat, and South India.
Since there are usually many snakes in the fields and in the village of these areas.
Local artists include them in their paintings as a sign of respect.
This prevents them from being bitten.
This is also considered as a way of praying to them, as snakes are considered very close
to the lords of the lords, Shiva.
This is a beautiful, spiritual and non-violent way of living with nature.

Dance:

There are two major kinds of dance forms in India :

Classical Dance

Folk Dance

Classical dance is a kind of dance that brings several techniques and specific movements.
There are 8 types of classical dances in India according to scholars.

Bharatanatyam, from Tamil Nadu.

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Kathak, from Uttar Pradesh.

Kathakali, from Kerala.

Kuchipudi, from Andhra Pradesh.

Odissi, from Odisha.

Sattriya, from Assam.

Manipuri, from Manipur.

Mohiniyattam, from Kerala.

Folk dance is a dance form developed by people that reflect the life of the people of a
particular area.

Classical Dance

Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam is a classical dance which was originated in the modern-day region of

Tamil Nadu.
Bharatanatyam is based on the Hindu religious theme.
It was originally performed by females in the temples.
"Abhinaya Darpan" by Nandi Keshwara and "Natya Shastra" by Bharat Muni are
considered the original source of Bharatanatyam.

Kathak:

Kathak is a North Indian dance that originated in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
The name Kathak comes from the word "Katha" which means a story.

Kuchipudi:

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Kuchipudi, one of the major dance forms of India was originated from Andhra Pradesh.
It is the traditional dance of the state.
It grew largely as a product of the Bhakti movement beginning in the 7th Century AD.
Kuchipudi derives its name from the village Kuchelapuram, where it was nurtured by
great scholars and artists who built up the repertoire and refined the dance technique.

Manipuri:

I​ t is the indigenous dance of people of Manipur.

It is influenced by Vaishnavism.
Radha Krishna's love is shown by the performance of the artists.
Patronage: King Bhagya Chandra & Kriti Chandra.
Lai Haroba is considered as the primary phase of this dance.
Absence of sensual aspect.
Features:

Colourful decoration.

The lightness of dancing foot.

The delicacy of drama.

Lifting music & poetic charm.

Mohiniyattam

Mohiniyattam is one of the two classical dance forms that originated in Kerala, the other
one being Kathakali.
Mohiniyattam gets its name from the word ‘Mohini’, the feminine form of Lord Vishnu,
the word means ‘dance of Mohini’.
Dr Sunanda Nair became the first in India to acquire a Master’s degree in Mohiniyattam.
She completed her PhD thesis in Intrinsic Lyrical Feminism in Mohiniyattam from Mumbai
University.
Mohiniyattam is based on Natya Shastra’s lasya style.
It has delicate movements and more feminine facial expressions.
The movements are gentle and glide-like. They do not have terse rhythmic steps.

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More emphasis is on the facial expressions and hand gestures.

Kathakali:

Kathakali is a classical Indian dance form which is a story play genre of art is the folk
dance form of Kerala.
Kathakali is the most difficult style of the traditional dance form.
In this, the actors speak ‘sign language’ where hand gestures are used to dictate word
part of the character and facial and eye movements express emotions and mood.
Kathakali is based on the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Odissi:

Odissi is a dance of love and passion touching on the divine and the human, the sublime
and the mundane.
The Natya Shastra mentions many regional varieties, such as the south-eastern style
kanharis were the chief repositories of this dance.
The maharis, who were originally temple dancers came to be employed in royal courts
which resulted in the degeneration of the art form.

Folk Dance
Chau dance:

Chau or Chhau is a semi-classical Indian dance with martial, tribal, and folk origins from
Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and WestBengal.
Chhau Dance is a popular form of tribal dance in India that incorporates elements of
martial arts into its movements.
This form of dance is a means to portray stories to the audience, which is why elaborate
masks and headgear associated with battle and war are worn during the performance.
It enacts episodes from epics including the Mahabharata and Ramayana, local folklore,
and abstract themes.
Over a century old, this dance form was widely endorsed by patrons belonging to the
royal families, rich landlords, and British governors in the region.
Bihu:
Bihu dance is an Indigenous folk dance of the Indian state of Assam.
This dance is usually performed by young men and women.
The dancing style is characterized by brisk steps and rapid hard movements.
In this folk dance, the traditional costumes of dancers are colourful and centred around
the red colour theme.
The earliest depiction of Bihu dance is found in the 9th Century Sculptures.
This dance is mainly found in the Tezpur and Darrang districts of Assam.
It is mentioned in the inscriptions of the 14th Century, Chutia and Laxminarayan as well.
Bihu dance is performed outdoors, in fields, groves, etc.
This folk dance takes its name from the Bohag Bihu festival.
Bohag Bihu festival is celebrated as New year in Assam.

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Cheraw Dance:

It consists of usually six to eight people holding a pair of bamboo staves onto another
bamboo positioned horizontally on the ground.
It is an attractive hub during festive occasions.
In 2010, A Guinness World Record was made in which the highest number of Cheraw
dancers performed at the same time.
It is also recognized as the oldest dance form of Mizoram.
Cheraw is performed by six to eight people holding a pair of bamboo staves on another
horizontally placed bamboo on the ground on special occasions such as when there is a
bumper harvest of a crop.
Gongs and drums are used as musical instruments in the Cheraw dance.
Cheraw is one of the traditional and oldest dances of Mizoram.
It also recognized as the oldest dance form of Mizoram.
It is also known as the Bamboo dance.
It is one of the most famous dances in Mizoram, and a centre of attraction during festive
occasions.

Kalbeliya dance:

Kalbelia or kalbeliya dance form is associated with a Rajasthani tribe of the same name.
In Kalbelia dance, the dance movements are similar to snake movements.
It is performed by the women of the Kalbeliya community.
The costumes of kalbelia dance look somewhere similar to serpents.
Kalbeliya dancers' clothes are flowing black skirts mixed in red and black hues and
embroidered in unique patterns.
Kalbeliya dance has a traditional musical instrument known as Poongi.
Kalbeliya dance was included in UNESCO’s list of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity in
2010.

The Indian States and Folk Dances

Andhra Pradesh- Kuchipudi, Bhamakalpam, Lambadi, Dhimsa, Kolattam, Butta Bommalu.

Assam- Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga dance, Khel Gopal,
Tabal Chongli, Canoe, Jhumura Hobjanai
Bihar- Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya, Sama Chakwa, Bidesia.
Gujarat- Garba, Dandiya Ras, Tippani Juriun, Bhavai.
Haryana- Jhumar, Phag, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khor, Gagor.
Himachal Pradesh- Jhora, Jhali, Chharhi, Dhaman, Chhapeli, Mahasu, Nati, Dangi.
Jammu and Kashmir- Rauf, Hikat, Mandjas, Kud Dandi Nach, Damali.
Karnataka- Yakshagan, Huttari, Suggi, Kunitha, Karga, Lambi.
Kerala- Kathakali (Classical), Ottamthullal, Mohiniattam, Kaikottikali.
Maharashtra- Lavani, Nakata, Koli, Lezim, Gafa, Dahikala Dasavtar or Bohada.
Odisha- Odissi (Classical), Savari, Ghumara, Painka, Munari, Chhau.
West Bengal- Kathi, Gambhira, Dhali, Jatra, Baul, Marasia, Mahal, Keertan.

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Punjab- Bhangra, Giddha, Daff, Dhaman, Bhand, Naqual.

Rajasthan- Ghumar, Chakri, Ganagor, Jhulan Leela, Jhuma, Suisini, Ghapal, Kalbeliya.
Tamil Nadu- Bharatanatyam, Kumi, Kolattam, Kavadi.
Uttar Pradesh- Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli, Jaita.
Uttarakhand- Garhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Raslila, Chappeli.
Goa- Tarangamel, Koli, Dekhni, Fugdi, Shigmo, Ghode, Modni, Samayi nrutya, Jagar,
Ranmale, Gonph, Tonnya mell.
Madhya Pradesh Jawara, Matki, Aada, Khada Nach, Phulpati, Grida Dance, Selalarki,
Selabhadoni, Maanch.
Chhattisgarh Gaur Maria, Panthi, Raut Nacha, Pandwani, Vedamati, Kapalik, Bharthari
Charit, Chandaini.
Jharkhand Alkap, Karma Munda, Agni, Jhumar, Janani Jhumar, Mardana Jhumar, Paika,
Phagua,Hunta Dance, Mundari Dance, Sarhul, Barao, Jhitka, Danga, Domkach, Ghora
Naach.
Arunachal Pradesh Buiya, Chalo, Wancho, Pasi Kongki, Ponung, Popir, Bardo Chham.
Manipur Dol Cholam, Thang Ta, Lai Haraoba, Pung Cholom, Khamba Thaibi, Nupa Dance,
Raslila, Khubak Ishei, Lhou Sha.
Meghalaya Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Nongkrem, Laho.
Mizoram Cheraw Dance, Khuallam, Chailam, Sawlakin, Chawnglaizawn, Zangtalam, Par
Lam, Sarlamkai/Solakia, Tlanglam.
Nagaland Rangma, Bamboo Dance, Zeliang, Nsuirolians, Gethinglim, Temangnetin,
Hetaleulee.
Tripura Hojagiri.
Sikkim Chu Faat Dance, Sikmari, Singhi Chaam or the Snow Lion Dance, Yak Chaam,
Denzong Gnenha, Tashi Yangku Dance, Khukuri Naach, Chutkey Naach, Maruni

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