Read the following passage carefully:
1. Classical dance evolved from Tamil Nadu‟s temples across centuries. The revived and reformed Bharatanatyam keeps the art born of these ancient temples alive even to this day. Once sustained and nurtured in temples as part of a rich and vibrant temple tradition, classical dance in South India has remained over centuries a dynamic, living tradition that is continuously renewed.
2. Even 2000 years ago, dance in India was a highly evolved and complex art. It was an integral part of ancient Indian theatre as established by the Natya Shastra, the oldest and exhaustive treatise on theatre and dramaturgy. Dance dramas were performed in temple precincts. Dance movements were crystallised in stone as karanas in temple sculpture. Following the Bhakti movement in the 6th century, dance and music became powerful vehicles of veneration. The deity was treated like a much-loved king, praised and royally entertained with music and dance, as part of the daily sacred rituals of worship. Gifted, highly educated temple dancers or devadasis were supported by the temples that were richly endowed by the rulers. Some 400 temple dancers were dedicated to and maintained by the Brihadeswarar Temple in Thanjavur. Dance evolved as a composite art in temples as dancers, nattuvanars (dance gurus), musicians, poets, composers, architects, sculptors and painters shared a holistic approach to all the arts.
3. The evolution of Bharatanatyam derives from the invaluable contribution of The Tanjore Quartet. The four Pillai brothers – Chinnayya, Ponnayya, Sivanandam and Vadivelu – served as court musicians at the kingdom of Maratha king, Serfoji II in the early 19th century. Their legacy to Bharatanatyam has been their restructuring of the dance repertoire into the margam format and their vast and diverse music compositions set specifically for dance. Some of their descendants like Guru Meenakshisundaram Pillai evolved the famous Pandanallur bani (style) and trained many eminent dancers.
4. From the temples, dance made its way into the courts of kings and dancers were not just devadasis, but also rajanartakis. By the early 17th century dance forms like sadir or chinna melam, precursors to Bharatanatyam as we know it today had become popular in the courts of the Maratha rulers in Thanjavur. However, in the 19th century, colonial propaganda perceived such dance as vulgar and immoral. It led to the Anti-Nautch Movement and legislation against temple dance and dancers. Divested of all patronage and temple support, devadasis were thrown into dire straits. In the early 20th century, thanks to enlightened visionaries like EV Krishna Iyer and later, Rukmini Devi Arundale, and the dedication of a handful of devadasis and nattuvanars, classical dance was resuscitated and revived as bharatanatyam. Today, apart from a few cultural festivals in some temples, dance has left the temple for the proscenium stage. (454 words)
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary. Give an appropriate title.
(b) Write a summary of the above in 80 words using the notes.
(a) Title : Bharatanatyam--a classical danceform and its history.
1. Introduction:
A) Classical dance evolved in T. N.
B) Once practiced in temples, it is a dynamic dance form.
2. Creation of Bharatanatyam:
A) 2000 y.a., it was integral part of Natya Shastra.
B) Following Bhakti movement (6th cty) became a part of temple worship.
C) Devadasis, or temple dancers, were maintained.
3. Evolution of Bharatanatyam:
A) Tanjore quarter, aka Pillai brothers, in court of Sefoji II (19th cty, Maratha king)revived dance form, and created music specifically for dance
B) Their descendents created several dance styles.
4. To current day:
A) Early 17th cty, precursors to Bharatanatyam came to be.
B) In 19th cty, colonial ruling led to Anti-Nautch movement and ceasing of temple dances.
C) In early 20th cty, dedicated patronage revived Bharatanatyam.
D) Temple dances are rare in present day.
Abbreviations:
i) Cty: Century
ii) T. N. : Tamil Nadu
iii) y. a. : years ago.
(b) Classical dance forms evolved in temples of Tamil Nadu. Bharatanatyam is a dynamic dance form. 2000 years ago, Bharatanatyam began in temples through Natya Shastra. Following the Bhakti Movement, dance became worship, performed in temples by Devadasis. The Pillai Brothers developed the dance form as well as made music for it. Their descendents created different styles in association with Bharatanatyam. In the early 17th century, the precursors of Bharatanatyam were founded. However, in 19th century, colonial ruling was passed against temple dancing. In early 20th century, dedicated patronage joined together to revive the dance form we now know as bharatanatyam. However, temple dancing is still rarely practised.
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