10.1 Hindu themes in Indian classical music and dance

Hindu themes deeply influence Indian classical music and dance. These art forms express devotion to deities like Shiva and Krishna through intricate movements and melodies. They also convey philosophical concepts like bhakti (devotion) and rasa (aesthetic emotions).

Classical arts play a crucial role in Hindu rituals and festivals. Temple ceremonies, weddings, and other rites incorporate music and dance as sacred offerings. Devotional genres like bhajans foster community worship, while dance-dramas enact mythological stories for audiences.

Hindu Deities in Performance Arts

Shiva and Krishna: Divine Dancers and Lovers

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• Shiva is often depicted as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance, and his cosmic dance symbolizes the cycles of creation and destruction in the universe
  • Shiva's dance represents the dynamic energy that permeates the cosmos and the eternal dance of life and death
  • The iconography of Nataraja includes a circle of flames, symbolizing the endless cycle of creation and destruction, and a drum and fire, representing the rhythm of life and the power of transformation
• The love story of Radha and Krishna, representing the human soul's devotion to the divine, is a common theme in classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kathak
  • Radha's unconditional love for Krishna is seen as a metaphor for the soul's yearning for union with the divine
  • The playful and romantic interactions between Radha and Krishna, such as the Rasa Lila dance, are portrayed through graceful and expressive movements, conveying the joy and intimacy of divine love

Epics and Patron Deities: Ramayana, Mahabharata, Saraswati, and Ganesha

• Episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics, featuring deities like Rama, Sita, and Krishna, are frequently portrayed in dance-dramas and musical compositions
  • The Ramayana tells the story of Rama's journey to rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and the power of devotion
  • The Mahabharata revolves around the conflict between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, with Krishna playing a central role as a divine advisor and protector
• Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts, is revered as the patron deity of classical musicians and dancers
  • Saraswati is often invoked at the beginning of performances to seek her blessings and inspiration
  • She is depicted holding a veena (a stringed instrument), symbolizing her mastery over music and the arts
• Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is invoked at the beginning of music and dance performances for an auspicious start
  • Ganesha is believed to grant success and remove hurdles in any endeavor, making him an important deity in the context of performance arts
  • Many classical music and dance compositions begin with an invocation to Ganesha, known as the "Ganesha Vandana" or "Ganesha Stuti"

Philosophical Concepts in Dance and Music

Bhakti and Rasa: Devotion and Aesthetic Emotions

• The concept of bhakti, or devotional love, is central to many classical music and dance compositions, expressing the performer's and the audience's devotion to the divine
  • Bhakti involves surrendering oneself to the divine and expressing love and devotion through music and dance
  • Compositions in praise of deities, known as "bhajans" or "kirtans," are infused with the spirit of bhakti and are designed to evoke devotional feelings in the listeners
• The theory of rasa, or aesthetic emotions, is used to evoke specific moods and spiritual states in the audience through stylized gestures, facial expressions, and musical modes
  • The nine rasas include love (sringara), joy (hasya), compassion (karuna), anger (raudra), heroism (vira), fear (bhayanaka), disgust (bibhatsa), wonder (adbhuta), and peace (shanta)
  • Dancers and musicians use specific techniques, such as facial expressions (abhinaya) and melodic modes (ragas), to evoke these rasas and create a profound emotional experience for the audience

Nada Brahman and Cyclical Time: Sound and Impermanence

• The idea of nada brahman, or the primordial sound that permeates the universe, is reflected in the use of sacred syllables, mantras, and improvisational techniques in music
  • Nada brahman is believed to be the fundamental vibration that underlies all creation, and music is seen as a means to connect with this divine sound
  • The use of sacred syllables like "Om" and the recitation of mantras in music are believed to align the performer and the listener with the cosmic vibration
• The cyclical nature of time and the impermanence of the material world are symbolically represented through the repetitive structures and rhythmic patterns in music and dance
  • The recurring rhythmic cycles (talas) in music and the repetitive footwork patterns in dance symbolize the endless cycles of creation and destruction in the universe
  • The impermanence of worldly existence is conveyed through the fleeting nature of the performance itself, reminding the audience of the transient nature of life

Music and Dance in Hindu Rituals

Temple Rituals and Festivals: Offerings to the Divine

• Classical music and dance are integral parts of temple rituals, such as the daily puja ceremonies and annual festivals, as offerings to the deities
  • Music and dance are considered as "naivedya," or sacred offerings, to the deities, believed to please them and invoke their blessings
  • During puja ceremonies, musicians play devotional songs and instrumentalists provide accompaniment, creating an atmosphere of reverence and devotion
• Dance-dramas, such as the Kathakali of Kerala and the Yakshagana of Karnataka, are performed during temple festivals to enact mythological stories and moral teachings
  • These dance-dramas serve as a means of visual storytelling, bringing to life the tales of gods, goddesses, and mythological heroes
  • The elaborate costumes, makeup, and stylized gestures used in these dance-dramas add to the visual spectacle and help convey the emotions and character of the roles portrayed

Devotional Music and Rites of Passage: Community and Transition

• Devotional music genres, like bhajans and kirtans, are sung during congregational worship and religious gatherings to foster a sense of community and shared devotion
  • Bhajans are devotional songs that praise the deities and express the longing for divine union, often sung in a call-and-response style that encourages participation from the congregation
  • Kirtans involve the repetitive chanting of divine names or mantras, creating a meditative and uplifting atmosphere that unites the participants in a shared spiritual experience
• Music and dance are used in rites of passage ceremonies, like weddings and thread ceremonies, to invoke blessings and mark the transition to a new stage of life
  • In Hindu weddings, music and dance play a significant role in the various rituals, such as the "sangeet" (musical gathering) and the "bharaat" (groom's procession), adding to the festive and auspicious atmosphere
  • The thread ceremony, or "upanayana," which marks a boy's initiation into formal education and spiritual learning, includes the chanting of Vedic mantras and the performance of sacred music

Devotional Traditions' Influence on Classical Arts

Bhakti Movement and Vaishnavism: Personal Devotion and Krishna Worship

• The Bhakti movement, which emphasized personal devotion over ritual worship, gave rise to new genres of devotional music, like the Carnatic kriti and the Hindustani bhajan
  • The Carnatic kriti, a compositional form developed by Saint Tyagaraja and others, combines devotional lyrics with intricate melodic and rhythmic structures, expressing the composer's deep devotion to the divine
  • Hindustani bhajans, popularized by saints like Mirabai and Surdas, are simple, heartfelt songs that express the longing for divine love and the joy of surrender to the divine will
• Vaishnavism, the worship of Vishnu and his avatars, particularly Krishna, inspired the development of dance styles like Odissi and Manipuri, which feature graceful and lyrical movements
  • Odissi, a classical dance form from Odisha, originated in the temples of Lord Jagannath (a form of Krishna) and is known for its fluid and sensuous movements that evoke the romance between Radha and Krishna
  • Manipuri, a dance style from the northeastern state of Manipur, is deeply influenced by the Vaishnava tradition and is characterized by its gentle, graceful movements and the use of circular patterns that symbolize the eternal love between Krishna and his devotees

Shaivism and Tantra: Rhythmic Complexity and Esoteric Practices

• Shaivism, the worship of Shiva, influenced the evolution of rhythmically complex and vigorous dance forms, such as the Bharatanatyam and Kathak
  • Bharatanatyam, a dance form from Tamil Nadu, is known for its strong, precise footwork and the use of complex rhythmic patterns (jatis) that reflect the energetic and powerful nature of Shiva's dance
  • Kathak, a dance style from North India, incorporates fast, intricate footwork and spins that symbolize the dynamic energy of Shiva's cosmic dance
• The Tantric tradition, with its emphasis on the use of sound and movement to harness spiritual energy, shaped the esoteric aspects of classical music and dance, such as the use of mudras and mantras
  • Mudras, or symbolic hand gestures, are used in both music and dance to convey specific meanings and to direct the flow of energy in the body
  • Mantras, or sacred chants, are incorporated into music and dance performances to invoke spiritual power and to create a meditative atmosphere

Regional Folk Traditions: Assimilation and Synthesis

• Regional folk music and dance traditions, often associated with local deities and festivals, were assimilated into the classical repertoire, creating a rich tapestry of styles and influences
  • For example, the Carnatic music tradition has absorbed elements from the Tamil folk music style known as "Villu Paatu," which uses a bow-shaped instrument to accompany narrative songs
  • Similarly, the Kathak dance form has incorporated elements from the folk dances of Uttar Pradesh, such as the "Raslila" and the "Charkula," which depict the playful and romantic adventures of Krishna and the gopis (cowherd girls)
• The synthesis of classical and folk traditions has led to the emergence of new styles and genres that reflect the diverse cultural heritage of India
  • For instance, the "Sufi Kathak" style, developed by the famous dancer and choreographer Manjari Chaturvedi, combines the spiritual poetry of Sufi saints with the graceful movements and storytelling techniques of Kathak, creating a unique fusion of Islamic and Hindu devotional traditions