Writing On Dance
by V P Dhananjayan
In response to the question by Indeevar Nemani: I have always wondered if there is a mapping between raga and rasa. Does the raga nomenclature imply the mood? Can we surmise Sama raga in certain beat exudes peace?
RAAGAS FOR TIME & MOODS?
I have to confess my incompetency in discussing classical music matters and its applications and implications.
I must say Raagas have their own flavor, feeling and expressions - it is all in our mindset. Our ancient Rishis are the greatest scientists with accurate knowledge of everything in relationship to nature and a human mind. So do our psychic behaviour with a time of the day. The beautiful sounds of the birds, waves, rattling of the leaves etc. give us a different feeling at different times. The same way some melodies in the music affects our mind at a given time cycle. This is not explicable physically. Yet it is practical experience.
In Karnataka music Bhowli, Bhoopaalam, Soorya etc. are Raagas associated with morning - probably they resonate or resemble the awakening of the mind after a deep sleep. As the sun rises up our physics / body also reacts differently with mind, to invigorate the body - energy increases as sun goes up and as sun sets our mind and body slows down to a peaceful /calm /tranquil mood. So do the sounds from the nature (forget about the artificial noises that emanate from mechanical gadgets surrounding us). Mohanam, Kalyani etc. gives a feeling of rejuvenation of noon. Todi, Bhairavi etc. the calmness of evening. Neelambari and similar lighter notes settles down the mind towards night's relaxation. These feelings are to be experienced, though scientifically proved.
Therefore we can come to the conclusion that whether it is Karnataka music or Hindustani music, the Raaga bhaavas are associated with human mind, time and situation. The composers of yonder days knew exactly what they were doing and with scientific and analytical brain, they created words and melody to educate, enlighten and entertain our physical, mental and spiritual needs.
- VP Dhananjayan
RAAGAS FOR TIME & MOODS?
I have to confess my incompetency in discussing classical music matters and its applications and implications.
I must say Raagas have their own flavor, feeling and expressions - it is all in our mindset. Our ancient Rishis are the greatest scientists with accurate knowledge of everything in relationship to nature and a human mind. So do our psychic behaviour with a time of the day. The beautiful sounds of the birds, waves, rattling of the leaves etc. give us a different feeling at different times. The same way some melodies in the music affects our mind at a given time cycle. This is not explicable physically. Yet it is practical experience.
In Karnataka music Bhowli, Bhoopaalam, Soorya etc. are Raagas associated with morning - probably they resonate or resemble the awakening of the mind after a deep sleep. As the sun rises up our physics / body also reacts differently with mind, to invigorate the body - energy increases as sun goes up and as sun sets our mind and body slows down to a peaceful /calm /tranquil mood. So do the sounds from the nature (forget about the artificial noises that emanate from mechanical gadgets surrounding us). Mohanam, Kalyani etc. gives a feeling of rejuvenation of noon. Todi, Bhairavi etc. the calmness of evening. Neelambari and similar lighter notes settles down the mind towards night's relaxation. These feelings are to be experienced, though scientifically proved.
Therefore we can come to the conclusion that whether it is Karnataka music or Hindustani music, the Raaga bhaavas are associated with human mind, time and situation. The composers of yonder days knew exactly what they were doing and with scientific and analytical brain, they created words and melody to educate, enlighten and entertain our physical, mental and spiritual needs.
- VP Dhananjayan
The introduction of Margazhi Utsav pages is a fantastic idea, kudos to the Hindu for this brilliant idea. Enjoy reading them every bit. Especially in today's page, Lakshmi Viswanathan's article is an absolutely fantastic article and she not only brought the dream of every artist alive but also serves as an eye-opener for our festival organizers, corporate houses who waste money on junk entertainments. An idea can change your life. Lakshmi has given it, is there anybody to take it forward?
- VP Dhananjayan in response to an article by Lakshmi Viswanathan in The Hindu, Arts - Dance - In their own voice, 31 Dec 2010
- VP Dhananjayan in response to an article by Lakshmi Viswanathan in The Hindu, Arts - Dance - In their own voice, 31 Dec 2010
"All display of talent does not become an object of art, the talent that touches the hearts of onlookers and listeners only can be called an art, be it music, painting, sculpture or dance".
- Oct 19, 2010
- Oct 19, 2010
"NAATYA is a comprehensive term for all heart touching fine arts that have, sculpture, the science of all kinds, knowledge of the world, music, and yoga making it a Sampoorna Yoga - complete unification of physical, mental and spiritual activities".
- Oct 19, 2010
- Oct 19, 2010
Speech delivered on the teachers' day on 5th Sept at Music academy hall, when he received the 'PARAM AACHARYA' award instituted by Chennai based 'CALL EASY', a service-oriented information center.
"OUR country is Bhaarata, we are Bhaarateeya and our profession Bhaaratanaatya. The only country in the world where the name of the country and practicing art is synonymous. Only Bharatadesh has this beautiful concept of GURU and Aachaarya, because this is the only country that preaches and practices the philosophy.
There is no religion higher than TRUTH and there is no nobler profession than being a true TEACHER "
WE bow to the Guru Parampara starting from Veda Vyaasaa to the last of Paramaachaaryas and we dedicate this Param Acharya award to those immediate mentors and Gurus like Rukminidevi, Chanduppanikkar Asaan and others, including my father who was a great and true teacher in all aspects."
"OUR country is Bhaarata, we are Bhaarateeya and our profession Bhaaratanaatya. The only country in the world where the name of the country and practicing art is synonymous. Only Bharatadesh has this beautiful concept of GURU and Aachaarya, because this is the only country that preaches and practices the philosophy.
There is no religion higher than TRUTH and there is no nobler profession than being a true TEACHER "
WE bow to the Guru Parampara starting from Veda Vyaasaa to the last of Paramaachaaryas and we dedicate this Param Acharya award to those immediate mentors and Gurus like Rukminidevi, Chanduppanikkar Asaan and others, including my father who was a great and true teacher in all aspects."
Varnam or Nrityopahaaram (an offering of dance & mime) is the judicious combination of Nritta, Nritya and Naatya, expounding the deep-rooted technique of physical, mental and spiritual background of Bharatanaatyam. This can be termed as the quintessence or epitome of a technique that has with stood test of time. The construction of the present day ‘Varnam’ format in a solo Bharatanaatyam performance has the time and space for a dancer to exploit her or his technical virtuosity and keep the attentive interest of the audience, irrespective of the length of delineation, whether it is for 30 minutes or 60 minutes or more. The success and failure of a Bharatanaatyam artiste depends on how well one could perform a ‘Nrityopahaaram’ to the fullest satisfaction of a discerning connoisseur audience.
Dance is not only about rhythm, coordination and synchronization. Neither is it only about narration and mythology. The essence of dance is its energy that is born out of feelings – joy, anger, jealousy, mischief, competition, curiosity, fantasy and so on. Movement divorced of feeling becomes merely acrobatic.
Conventionally, feelings and emotions lend themselves to expression in a narrative. Yet, a story need not be the only form of expression. Similarly, a song does not require lyrics to suggest a feeling.
Only through one’s mother tongue, one can understand the real value of one’s culture.
Dance is a comprehensive study of human values and knowledge. In dance, you learn music, science, mathematics, environmental science, and total discipline of body, mental as well as spiritual. That is the greatness of dance.
Dance gives you a spiritual education, not God spiritual or religious spiritual, but to be a good human.
Sampoorna yogam idham natyam - the most complete yoga is natya. Only in natya, you have the physical, mental and spiritual unification.
As the monkey is the ancestor of mankind, so is folk dance the ancestor of classical dance.
For classical dancing to survive and flourish, government patronage is a ‘must’.
Classical dance is an elevating rather than an entertaining factor. But for the scholars and the educated, however, this dance would have much more meaning than those who are not acquainted with it.
- Saturday Times, Oct 7, 1989
- Saturday Times, Oct 7, 1989
The culture of a society is reflected in the standards of the fine arts it nurtures. Art is as necessary for the world as love and bread.
- Saturday Times, Oct 7, 1989
- Saturday Times, Oct 7, 1989
If you do something unconventional, there will be heavy criticism. So, most of the classical dancers are afraid of getting away from their own setup.
- Stage Guardian, March 15, 1985
- Stage Guardian, March 15, 1985
Several people are learning arts for the sake of acquiring knowledge, appreciation and just for the love of it. There are several who learn it as a physical exercise and many as a relaxation. Whatever it may be, it is very good for everyone to learn any art form and it definitely helps to discipline oneself.
- Home Life, Sept 1985
- Home Life, Sept 1985
Perfection is an unreachable horizon. One keeps on traveling in pursuit of knowledge and perfection and real student of creative art is never satisfied. There is no such thing as perfect art.
Teaching is the best way of adding to one’s own understanding of the art form.
We cannot justify that old is gold always. We have to accept the truth that with the evolutionary changes in the system of life, the ancient gurukula type of teaching might have vanished, but the real gurus still exist and continue to exist.
- Jan 4, ’99 (letters to ed, Hindu about Folio on dance)
- Jan 4, ’99 (letters to ed, Hindu about Folio on dance)
An artist should have a broad vision and an open mind to serve the art in the right way.
- July 6, 1996 Expressweek
- July 6, 1996 Expressweek
The past is a foundation for the present to build a more purposeful and practical future.
- Feb 11, 1985
- Feb 11, 1985
Professionalism encourages creative expansion of one's art. 'Art for art's sake' is a slogan often repeated and has no meaning in the present day context. If one has to be serious, and devote time and energy it should be a profession.
Quotes on social issues
Quotes on social issues