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15
Indian DANCE Through Ages
By PRANAAME BHAGAWATI
extensively.
During the periods of the great Indian epics like Ramayana and
Mahabharata, dance was soulfully connected within the characters
itself and also in those of its people. In the Ramayana period,
people of different social status were not only interested in
dance but they also possessed the knowledge of this art form.
The three ingredients of music (Sangeet) i.e. instrumental, vocal
and dancing were enhanced and developed by the kings and
other authorities. In the Mahabharata period, the term especially
‘dance’ was fully developed since the main characters involved in
the epic were themselves in the field of art. Lord Krishna as we all
Know Him as ‘Natwar’ has mesmerised the milkmaids of Braj with
His dancing skills in the form of Raas Nritya.
Contents
During the Jain and Buddhist period, there are several books
related to arts. In the popular Buddhist text ‘Lalit Vistar’,
around 79 art forms are mentioned wherein music,
dance, drama, Lashya, etc. are termed.
This period produced one of the
greatest dancers ever named,
‘Amrapali’.
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