Indian dance forms propagate ideas with spiritual orientation: Governor

He further said, “Hence we have thinkers, philosophers and spiritual leaders of an Indian society of class who serve as beacons of light for the whole world.” Stating that there are a number of dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri practised in India, the Governor explained how all of them contain the central theme of propagating ideas and stories from the ancient texts of India with a spiritual orientation.

“Of them, the dance form of Bharatanatyam traces its origins to Tamil Nadu and has its theoretical foundations in the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni,” he said adding the antiquity of Bharatanatyam can be perceived from the fact that this dance form is mentioned in the ancient Tamil epic Silappathikaram.

Pointing out that dance takes centre-stage as far as the Chidambaram Temple is concerned, he added that Lord Nataraja, the presidingdeity at the temple performs thecosmic dance to keep the Universe in balance.

He said that the cultural evolution of India had attained such great heights even by the 10th century, to visualize the balance of the Universe through a cosmic dance form is evidence of the extent to which dance was admired and respected.

“Thus, for almost 2,000 years this dance form grew in refinement and expression until in 1910, during the colonial rule of the British, a ban was imposed on the dance being performed,” he said adding that the Indian independence movement in the early 20th century witnessed a period of cultural ferment and an effort by the people to reclaim their culture and rediscover history.

“It was due to this and the efforts of lovers and exponents of fine arts, notable among whom can be mentioned Rukmani Devi Arundale and Balasaraswati that Bharatanatyam was brought back into the mainstream and gained public acceptance,” the Governor said.