Classical Performing Arts of India

Catalog description

An introduction to the stories, histories, and aesthetics of Indian classical performing arts. The course focuses on Bharatanatyam, the solo dance form from South India. Kathakali, Manipuri, Odissi, and Kathak will be introduced to compare and contrast dance-theatre forms of South Asia. Students will be introduced to each performance form by studying its ancient and modern history, practitioners, technique, stage presentation, and aesthetics. The course explores the commonalities of all these performing art forms including: mythology, the classic text: Natya Shastra, abhinaya (mime) and the theory of rasa. Lessons will be accompanied by suitable reading material and visual demonstrations either on video or by a practitioner of the art form.