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Temples were raised to the house the Gods and became the focal point for the community.
They also became centres of learning and contributed to the advancement of such arts as sculpture,
painting, music and dance. Mostly built by Kings, who were also the patrons of arts, encouraging a
continuity and enriching rituals of worship, the earliest basis of the classical performing arts.
It was from the temple that the Devdasi cult (Temple Dancers who performed for the Lord) began.
Once a practice countrywide - the Kulvantalu in Andhra Pradesh, the Maibi in Manipur, the Devdasi in
Tamil Nadu and the Mahari in Orissa, all trace their roots to the temple. The countless sculptures of
dance poses in the temples, hint at the potency of dance as a path to spiritual exaltation and lays
out a complete lexicon of dance techniques.
For instance, it is said that the greater part of vocabulary of Odissi dance is preserved in stone.
A rich heritage to be brought alive by the artist.
Indian Folk and Tribal Dances
Indian folk and tribal dances are simple , and performed to express joy. Folk dances are performed
for every possible occasion, to celebrate the arrival of seasons, birth of a child, a wedding and
festivals. The dances are extremely simple with minimum of steps or movements. The dances burst
with verve and vitality. Men and women perform some dances exclusively, while in some performances
men and women dance together. On most occasions, the dancers sing themselves, while being
accompanied by artists on the instruments. Each form of dance has a specific costume. Most
costumes are flamboyant with extensive jewels.
The northeast part of the country is the home for over 60 tribes. Each tribe has its own range
of tribal dances. The exciting dances of the Nagas and the Bihus of Assam, are performed to celebrate
spring and harvesting.
The chief folk dance of Gujarat, the Dandiya, is performed using sticks. Each performer holds
two sticks, which they strike alternately to the right and left while the group dances. They also
move diagonally, clockwise, anti-clockwise, as they strike the sticks.
The Bhangra dance of Punjab is performed by men, to the rhythm of the drum. The dance includes a wide range of
leaps and jumps. Dancers stand on each other's shoulder while dancing to the music
There are hundreds of Indian folk and tribal dances. Each region of India has its own
folk dance. Both men and women perform the bamboo dance of Mizoram. While the men hold the bamboo,
the women folk dance between the bamboo. In this performance, the sound of the bamboo hitting each
other is the rhythm. Though dangerous if a rhythm is missed, these experienced dancers perform
with grace and with care.
In the south, the dummy horse dance or the Poikalkuthirai, is very famous. Dancers fit dummy
legs to their legs and dance to the tune of the music. Both men and women perform this form of art.
In Tamil Nadu, dancers place a karagam or a decorated jug, on their head and dance while balancing
the karagam.
While there are numerous folk and tribal dances, they are constantly improved. The skill and the
imagination of the dances influence the performance
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