Music
In India, there is a vast profusion of folk music which
varies according to locality. Though folk songs also
follow the same base, classical music requires immense
training & practice. In Indian music, musical sound
is called nada & nada is considered as Brahman or
Divine Reality itself. Hindustani music is the music
of North India, involving both Hindu and Muslim musicians.
In this case (as opposed to every other world classical
tradition, except European), there are a large number
of high quality recordings. |
 |
Different people will, no doubt,
like different styles to varying degrees. In this case, I
am only going to list some discs I particularly enjoy without
any intention of coming close to encyclopedic coverage.
Carnatic music is the music of South India, different in many
of its terms and formal demands, although similar in overall
outline. The two share some common origins, but the details
of these relationships can be contentious.
 |
Dance
India can boast of an innumerable number of folk dances,
each dance forming a specialty of a particular region
or tribe. Each form will have its own specialty &
grace, along with a set pattern of costumes &
make-up. The classical dance forms which have developed,
have set rules that have been followed traditionally
over the years. On the basic model, various gurus
incorporate their own imaginative innovations, leading
to various schools within a particular dance form.
|
Apart from the gracious
hand & leg postures & movements, the dancers have
to acquire the skill of portraying various emotions faithfully
in each expression on their face & each fluid movement
of their hand, legs & in fact their whole body. Every
part conveys some meaning in their graceful motion.
The various dance forms have also developed a particular form
of make-up for the performance, which is a skill by itself.
Several dance schools today, incorporate costume designing
& make-up as special section of the curriculum. The costumes
for all forms are elaborate & rich, but each form &
style have their own traditional patterns set down. Jewels
for the dancers are also specially created to suit their purpose.
Flowers adorn their hair & in the case of portrayal of
Gods, their necks as garlands. The hall is also richly decorated
with flowers. Application of mehendi in various styles is
also an essential part of the make-up in most forms.
Art
and Craft
Indian arts and handicrafts, the pinnacle of the workmanship
of Indian craftsmen, have, since time immemorial, captivated
the imagination of people, globally. Every state in
India, boasts of an exclusivity and specialty, depending
upon its historical influences, traditional skills,
and the raw materials, locally available. India is world
renowned for its dexterity in paintings, exquisite embroidery,
the pristine and beautiful sculptures in stone, metal,
wood, temple carvings and exquisitely designed jewellery. |
 |
 |
Paintings
Painting as an art form has flourished in India from
very early periods as is evident from literary sources
and also from the remnants that have been discovered.
Indian Paintings can be broadly classified as the
murals & miniatures. Murals are huge works executed
on the walls of solid structures. Classic examples
are the paintings in Ajantha & Kailasantaha temple.
Miniature paintings are those executed on a very
small scale on perishable material such as paper,
cloth, etc., though this style had been perfected
by artisans under the various rules, not many remain
today. Prime examples are the Rajasthani & Mughal
miniatures.
Contemporary artists have kept up to the times &
excel in their modern works, giving free expression
to their imagination & artistic liberty.
|
|
