Art Central
Rhythms and Moves
Can a string make music without being played? Did warriors once dance before battle? Let's tap into the rhythms of Indian music and dance!
Did you know?
The Sangeet Natak Akademi (India's national academy of music, dance and drama) recognises eight classical dances: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Odissi and Sattriya.
A sitar can have 18 to 21 strings, but only six or seven are played! The rest are 'sympathetic strings'. Nobody plucks them; they hum along on their own when the other strings ring.
Perini Shivatandavam is a powerful dance from Telangana. Long ago, warriors performed it before going to battle, so it is called the 'Dance of Warriors'. It was brought back to life by studying carvings at Ramappa Temple.
Try this: Clap the Teentaal
Teentaal is a rhythm cycle of 16 beats, in four groups of four. Count aloud from 1 to 16. Clap on beats 1, 5 and 13. On beat 9, wave your hand instead of clapping. This 'empty' beat is called khali. Repeat until it feels smooth. Then try saying the tabla sounds: Dha Dhin Dhin Dha!
Go further: Talking Hands
Indian classical dancers can tell a whole story without saying a word. They use mudras (hand gestures) along with expressions on their faces. With just their hands, they can show a bird, a flower or a deer. Many of these ideas come from the Natya Shastra, an ancient book on drama, dance and music, believed to be written by Bharata Muni. Can you make up a mudra for 'rain'?