The Traces of Indian Music and Dance

From Vedic Times and It’s Connection to

Modern GenerationsGroup 2

Sheree JavedMilana Zirkiyeva

Ronnie FannDinisha Govind

Language & Culture: India

Professor Nita Yajnik

Music and Dance in Sacred Literature

• Classical dance can be seen in places like temples and religious functions as well as family gatherings

• Dance styles and gestures represent mythological literature with great symbolism

• Dance styles include Kathak, Manipuri and Odissi

• Odissi is the oldest form, tracing back to 2200 B.C.

• Dance style is a narration of some story

• Classical Music consist of raga and tala or rhythm and melody

• Use of various instruments from the string of the sitar to the beat of a drum

• Classical music traces back to Rig Veda hymns and chants; demonstrate a preservation of culture and unity among a group of people

• Natyashstra and Naradiyashiksha are among the earliest vedic chants

Music and Dance Style Found in Today’s Modern

Culture• Dance incorporates an experimental fusion of

classical, western and contemporary

• Dance comes from Brahma inspired sage Bharata Muni

• Music incorporates a mix of ancient instruments with a globalization approach

The Glorious Cinematic Approach

• Classical dance and music are found in Hindi cinema

• Incorporation of music and dance in narrating a basic themes

• Method to narrate historical battles and success of kingship and devotion to deities and heroes

• Ancient stories of love, family and society norm

• Hindi movie industry brought dance and music to the western world

• During the 20th century, Indian cinema gained popularity as it narrated stories from the Vedic times

History of Film

• Cultural influence and globalization

• Popular culture and embrace societies around the world

1913 2001

Connection of TV shows to the Vedic

Times• Important for every member of the family within

the home to believe in the Hindu Gods.

• There is the worship of the Gods whether it is Vishnu, Shiva, or other Gods

• Within a home there is a small temple created where there is a special area for the worship of the Hindu Gods

• Presence of the Gods and the connection to songs and dance shows the association to the Vedic times

• Songs and dances are dedicated to the family

• Events related to worship bring members of the families together

Examples of TV shows

• Mahabharat (1988-1990)

• Ramayan (2008 and 2012)

• Iss Pyar Ko Kya Naam Doon (2012)

History of Indian Radio

• 1924: Broadcasting began in India with the formation of a private radio service in Madras

• 1924: British colonial government approved a license to a private company, the Indian Broadcasting Company, to launch radio stations in Bombay and Kolkata

• 1936: the company was renamed All India Radio (AIR)

• 1947: AIR was made a separate department under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Indian radio as a medium of social

integration• Indian radio broadcasting in independent India set the parameters for the succeeding role of television in the nation

• The Congress government under Jawaharlal Nehru followed three major goals:

a. To achieve political integration

b. To attain economic development

c. To achieve social modernization

• Radio was considered as an integral medium of communication

• All the national affairs and social changes were informed through the waves of broadcast

• Radio soon became a primary source of music in India

Women Role in Music and Dance

• Women have always played a major role in the propagation of music and dance in India tracing back to its origin. With music being believed to be from the gods it has been consistently used to appease the gods. The privileges granted to dancers made it very appealing to women because they received a status that was equal to that of men.

• Many of the forms of dance that exist today went through a metamorphosis in the 19th century. This was due to many new styles being developed and Hindustani dance and music going international in appeal and awareness. This was due in part to the actions of Sourendramohan Tagore who made it a personal quest for himself.

• At this time the first musical colleges came into existence that help to propel music and dance in India to greater heights.

Religious Trace Found in the Film

Industry

• The movie industry has done much to help facilitate Indian dance and music to the western world. Music and dance has always been integrated in India. Going back to Vedic times they have always been associated with the rituals and ceremonies used to appease the gods. The Rig Veda the most sacred of Indian texts hold many of these hymns that were composed by the monks of that age. These hymns were chanted along with dance to appease the gods. However in movies the dance and music are more secular in nature. This has caused some concern among the people of India because they feared that the culture was not being represented accurately.

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