INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON  SIGNAL PROCESSING AND COMMUNICATIONS

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, BANGALORE

18-21 JULY, 2010

 SPCOM 2010

       Celebration of life - Bharatanatyam

SOCIAL PROGRAM

1. BHARATANATYAM

 

We begin our presentation from the land of temples-Tamilnadu, the capital of Carnatic music and Classical dance in India. Bharatanatyam, the classical dance of South India is prominently seen in Tamilnadu. A technique that is comprehensive in itself - whether in abstract presentation or emotional communication, Bharatanatyam is an art form that has captured hearts of art lovers all over the world.

YATRA

A journey across the cultural vibrancy of India

 

Long, long, ago, when the world was consumed with passion and pain, greed and avarice, jealousy and anger, and took  to uncivilized ways of living, the Gods approached Brahma, the creator, to create a means of entertainment to uplift the world from its mundane activities.

 

Lord Brahma went into deep penance and created the Natya Veda-the Veda of Dance - from the existing four Vedas -the ancient Indian scriptures. From the Rig Veda, he took recitation, from the Sama Veda, he took music, from Yajur veda was taken the art of Abhinaya or expression and from the Atharva Veda, Lord Brahma took the art of Rasa or enjoyment. The Natya Veda was given to Bharatha Muni who passed his learnings on to his sons who inturn passed it on to the rest of the world. Thus was born Natya from Natya Veda.

 

India is a land of varied cultures. Not surprisingly, there are as many forms of music and dance as there are people. On various occasions a man takes to dance-to celebrate his joy or to relieve his pain. As cultures evolved, dance became a spiritual experience and a medium of worship. Be it the classical form where everything is precisely defined and stylised or the folk, which is spontaneous, with gestures and movements from everyday life, dance is an exhilaration, an expression of life, a celebration of creation.

 

Join us in our journey, in our YATRA across the cultural vibrancy of India, to discover the spirit that has kept alive a tradition, so old, yet so timeless.

2. KARAGA

 

From the same state comes another form of dance, the sacred and chaste Karagattam, performed by men and women. The dancers place the Karaga, a brass pot, decorated and worshipped with flowers on their heads. The successful performance of the Karagattam where the Karaga is balanced perfectly on the dancer’s head is said to be the justification of the dancer’s faith and merit.

3. YAKSHAGANA

 

Literally meaning "the dance of the Gods", Yakshagana is the traditional folk art of Karnataka. The highly colourful costumes coupled with the stylised methods of storytelling have transformed Yakshagana into a much sought- after art form today.

4. LAVANI

 

There is an expression for every feeling and a movement for every mood. Dance can be a spiritual experience or an expression of sensuality. In Maharashtra, a state renowned for its cultural awareness, there is a popular dance form, the Lavani. Lavani is performed only by women for a predominantly male audience and is known for its vibrance and color.

5. GARBA 

 

Our Yatra heads Westwards to the birth place of one of the most inspiring men India has seen, the Mahatma. From Sourashtra comes Garba, whose origin people say can be traced back to the times when Lord Krishna lived in this part of the country. The Garba is almost a classical form of dance in Gujarat, being performed at all major occasions, most famous of all being the Navaratri, a nine day celebration. Garba consists of graceful movements performed sometimes with pots and sometimes with sticks or Dandiyas. This is called the Dandiya Raas, popular among men and women.

6. BIHU

 

From the central plains of India to the sylvan surroundings of Assam in the Eastern India. The mountainous terrain and the vast forests have given shape and form to the culture of many tribes in these parts. Bihu is one such dance form that is performed by women on important occasions.

7. KATHAK

 

Perhaps the only sound that can match the sounds of river Ganga in different moods are the reverberations of the Ghunguroos. Kathak from Uttar Pradesh is the unison of two cultures-Vaishnavism and Islam. It is one of the most invigorating dance styles of India. Elegance and gentleness amalgamated with intricate footwork and complicated body movements make Kathak a unique experience.

8. BHANGDA

 

Where hospitality is second nature, where religion is a way of life, where exuberance and enthusiasm abound-PUNJAB. Bhangda, the vigorous, lively and joyous dance is typical of the Punjabis. Full of acrobatics, set to the rhythm of pulsating music, this is performed on the occasion of Baisakhi, the New Year and at weddings.