Indian Classical Dance: The Renaissance and Beyond

by Leela Venkataraman

Overview
Indian Classical Dance: The Renaissance and Beyond traces the journey of the evolution of Indian classical dance since the years of Independence. Covering the eight classical dance forms of India – Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Manipuri, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Sattriya. Leela Venkataraman seamlessly weaves together a historical perspective with the contemporary scenario. Stripped of their association with the temple and the court, classical dance traditions in India went through a period of unprecedented change in the period marking the last few years of British rule and thereafter. From becoming part of the nationalist struggle when India was trying to rediscover its lost identity, to sharing the international stage today with dance forms from all over the world, the last sixty-six years have seen many changes in perspective and presentation of Indian Classical Dance – some intentional, others involuntary. While looking at these years closely and their impact on dance forms, one realises that this is a phase in an ongoing process, with each new generations of dancers and musicians adding to an already rich tapestry of tradition. The book is beautifully illustrated, and multi-faceted, dealing with various aspects of dance, including sponsorship and patronage, the teacher/disciple relationship and the contemporary classical dialectic. Unique in its vast range of covering all the classical forms, Indian Classical Dance is a must read for dancers and dance historians, students and teachers of dance and those interested in this fascinating field of Indian culture.

Author
Leela Venkataraman's career as a writer on Dance began in 1980 as dance critic for The National Herald and later the Patriot. Associated with the daily The Hindu for over thirty years, her Friday Review column has earned her a wide reputation for her incisive commentary on the dance scene. Widely traveled, she has been a regular participant in dance seminars in India and abroad. A prolific writer and regular contributor to dance journals like Nartanam and Sruti, she is the author of books Tradition in Transition, Step by Step Bharatanatyam, A Dancing Phenomenon – Birju Maharaj, and a book commissioned by the Children’s Book Trust on Indian Classical Dances. Her work and contribution have earned her the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

326 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Anup Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive account of the eight forms of Indian classical dance as well as their neo-classical forms
The book "Indian Classical Dance:The Renaissance and Beyond" comes from the dance critic and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award recipient Leela Venkataraman. Here the author describes a golden period starting from 1930s to 1970s, which becomes a renaissance period for Indian classical dance with successful revival of various classical forms and practices. A number of dedicated schools of Indian dances across the country were established during this renaissance period by legendary Gurus of respective dance tradition. Many of these forms become the living traditions, with an attribution of intangible cultural heritage assets. Sangeet Natak Akademi promotes Indian classical dance in different forms by awarding Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards to dedicated and outstanding dancers and their gurus. Later, many of these legendary gurus and dancers became recipients of the Padma Awards - the highest civilian awards in India for promoting arts and cultures.
This book identifies eight forms of Indian classical dance, namely, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Manipuri, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Sattriya. The author describes historical perspective of each classical form with appropriate anecdotes, recalling contributions made by the legendary gurus and outstanding dancers in that particular form. This book is systematically structured and contains twelve elaborated chapters. These are namely:
1. Introduction;
2. Legendary Gurus Show the Way for Bharatanatyam;
3. Kathak: From Durbar to Proscenium;
4. Kathakali: Peaks and Downfalls;
5. Sattriya in Monastic and Proscenium Manifestations;
6. Manipuri: Striking a Uniquely Different Note;
7. The Enchantment of Mohiniattam;
8. The Changing Faces of Kuchipudi;
9. Odissi: The Oldest in an Post Independence Manifestation;
10. Transmission in a Changing Teacher/ Taught Relationship;
11. Patronage and Sponsorship of Indian Classical Dance; and
12. The Contemporary/ Classical Dialectic.
This book provides a comprehensive account of the eight forms of Indian classical dance as well as their neo-classical forms. This book is recommended for researchers of Indian classical dance traditions, as well as cultural historians, dancers, performing artists and choreographers.