Nataraj(Lord Shiva) God of Indian Dances
आंगीकम भुवनम यस्य वाचीकम सर्व वांगमयम्
आहार्यम चंद्र तारादि तम वंदे सात्विकम शिवम् Aangikam Bhuvanamyasya Vaachikam Sarva Vaangmayam Aahaaryam Chandrataaraadi Tam Numaha Satvikam Shivam || We bow to him the One Whose limbs are the world, Whose songs and poetry are the essence of all language, And whose costume is the moon and the stars. |
Ameya Pathak as Nataraj - શિવોઽહં શિવોઽહમ્ (આત્મષટક્)
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"Hundreds of years ago, Indian artists created visual images of dancing Shivas in a beautiful series of bronzes. In our time, physicists have used the most advanced technology to portray the patterns of the cosmic dance. The metaphor of the cosmic dance thus unifies ancient mythology, religious art and modern physics."
- Fritjof Capra
- Fritjof Capra
The Origin of the Nataraj Form:
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History of Nataraj Symbolization:
Nataraj, the dancing form of Lord Shiva, is a symbolic synthesis of the most important aspects of Hinduism, and the summary of the central tenets of this Vedic religion. 'Nataraj' means 'King of Dancers' (Sanskrit nata = dance; raja = king). An extraordinary iconographic representation of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India, it was developed in southern India by 9th and 10th century artists during the Chola period (880-1279 CE) in a series of beautiful bronze sculptures. By the 12th century AD, it achieved canonical stature and soon the Chola Nataraja became the supreme statement of Hindu art. |
Types of Tandav:
Shiva's tandava is regarded as the source of cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution. The name Tandava comes from 'Tandu' who was an attendant of Lord Shiva, who instructed Bharata the use of Angaharas and Karanas, modes of the dance. Karana is the combination of hand gestures with feet to form a dance posture. Angahara is composed of seven or more Karanas.
प्रयोगमुद्धतं स्मृत्वा स्वप्रयुक्तं ततो हर: ।
तण्डुना स्वगणाग्रण्या भरताय व्यदीदृशत् ।।
लास्यमस्याग्रत: प्रीत्या पार्वत्या समदीदृशत् ।
बुद्ध्वाथ ताण्डवं तण्डोर्मर्त्येभ्यो मुनयोऽवदन् ।।
Types of Tandav
प्रयोगमुद्धतं स्मृत्वा स्वप्रयुक्तं ततो हर: ।
तण्डुना स्वगणाग्रण्या भरताय व्यदीदृशत् ।।
लास्यमस्याग्रत: प्रीत्या पार्वत्या समदीदृशत् ।
बुद्ध्वाथ ताण्डवं तण्डोर्मर्त्येभ्यो मुनयोऽवदन् ।।
Types of Tandav
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Ananda
Tandav: Anand Tandav is also called
"cosmic dance of bliss". Lord Shiv performs this Anand Tandav in a very happy mood for
his devotee’s happiness and to protect them.
Anand Tandav represents an embodiment of Pleasure (Ullas) and Excitement (Umang). |
Satvikam Shivam Student- Ketaki
Performing Shiv Stuti (Sanskrit)
Raag: Raag Malika Taal : Adi
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Tripura
Tandav: Lord Shiva performed Tripura
dance after killing 3 sons of Damon Tarak- Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha and
Vidhunmali. With other gods Lord Shiv saved three worlds- Tripur from them.
The dance performed by Lord Shiva after killing the demon Tripurasur reflected Courage (Veerta) and Extreme anger (Roudra) and is known as 'Tripur Tandava'. The 'Bols' of this dance form are mostly in 'Adi Laya'. |
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Samhar
Tandav: Lord Shiv performed this
Samhar Tandav dance when he was very angry as in “Raudra Roop”. Because of his dance the
earth, sky and under ground everything started shaking and started getting
destroyed. With other gods request Nataraj stopped dancing to save the world.
But this cosmic dance of Nataraj is for destruction.
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Sandhya
Tandav: According to Mythological
stories this Sandhya Tandav was performed at the time when this world was
created. Gauri told Lord Shiv to perform this dance to create and protect the
world. When Lord Shiv performed Sandhya Tandav, Saraswati, Vishnu, Indra etc
other gods played musical instruments and Lord Bramha gave rhythm to dance.
Godess Rama sang songs.
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Shakti
Tandav: Goddess Kali is called power
(Shakti) of Shiv. Shakti with Shiv together creates the world. Shakti is not
separate from Shiv and their dance is called Kali or Shakti Tandav
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ArdhaNari Tandav: This dance is oneness of Lord Shiv and Nature.
In this half part is Shiv body and Other half is Parrvati’s body and when they
dance together is called Ardha Nari Tanadav. This dance form stresses the conjugal affection, love and attraction in its purest and simple form.
Ardh Nari-Ishar Tandav represents Shiv as half man and half woman. he is female and male at the same time. He is both. He is complete. |
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Sati-Shiv Tandav: This Tandav is performed by Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiv together in Shringar Rasa. It is a beautiful combination of masculine dance movements by Shiva and very delicate feminine dance movements of Lasya by parvati.
It is also called Uma Tandav or Gauri Tandav. |
