FOLK
DANCES
Whereas
classical dances tend to be subject to a definite order and a complicated
system of gesture language, foot worked body movements, folk dance is generally
muh more spontaneous. Its primary impulse in rhythm; its roots lie in religious
and seasonal festivals, and hence it is often guided by songs glorifying
nature, expressing traditional occupations and offering devotion to deities.
The vast majority of folk dances are performed by groups of people, usually
consisting of either men or women, Certain basic dance pattern exist, These
have been described in medieval Sanskrit literature and consist of the Pindi
(group), the thrinkhala (chain), lata (creeper) and bhedyaka (the separate
movement of each daner away from the group). Even more basic is the ransack
Talai – Rasa, with rhythmic clapping of hands, and the Danda-rasa, in which
each dancer marks the rhythm with a pair of sticks,. Through these dances
unsupported by the written word, and established by its tremendous sociological
impact, customs and tradition have been established and people’s aesthetics
enriched. With national consciousness for the arts growing from day – to – day,
many of these beautiful expressive dances are coming to urban audiences and are
being received with the enthusiasm and success they deserve. The number of folk
dances in India being legion. Only a selective representation is being
discussed below:
(I)
South
India
Kolattam
is a dance by young girls with little lacquered sticks held in hands to
celebrate the birthday of Rama. Originating from Tamil Nadu, this dance form is
popular throughout India. Another variety of this dance form is popular
throughout India. Another verity of this dance is known as penal kilkattam
accompanied with song or chorus that speak of the trapping of the sticks in
rhythm, of the twinning fate strammers, of happy youth and that of happy dance.
