Mythology Of Indian Dance :: essays research papers

Like many Indian arts, Indian dance also has its root in religion. Without the religious and cultural orbit of India, the growth and beauty of Indian dance is not possible. In Natya Shastra, thither is a sm every story about the origin of Indian dance. gibe to Hindu mythology, dance first existed in heaven. There was always a constant conflict between the Asuras and the Devas for wealth and power. The Devas were tired of the Asuras greediness and jealousy.It was during this massive period of tedium that all the Devas approached master copy Indra too find level-headed ways and means of entertainment. Lord Indra, who was also tired of the Asuras, approached Lord brahman (believed to be the creator of the Universe) and asked him to process them. They made a request to Lord brahman that this method of entertainment should be pleasing to two the centre as well as the ear, and that it should be enjoyed by the masses of both higher and lower classes. Lord Brahma gave a long positi on to the request of Lord Indra and finally decided to help them.Lord Brahma went into a state of deep meditation. He called to mind the four Vedas. Vedas ar the earliest scriptures of the Hindus. He distilled the essence from each of the Vedas. From Rigveda, he derived the words, from Sama Veda, he derived the music, from Yojurve Veda, the canon of gesture and from Atherva Veda, the element of sentiment or flavor. He blended all of these ingredients and added his own divine genious. Thus, he created an entirely new application. Brahma named this activity Natya, which was later renamed Natya Veda.Brahma had simply created a technique, but someone was require for putting it into practice. Lord Brahma sought the cooperation of Bharat, a trusted sage. Bharat, with the help of his sons, started working. Vishvakarma, the supreme architect of heaven, then created a splendid theater in the hall of Indias court for the performance.Bharat told Brahma that certain characters of the dance sequences could unless be performed by women. Brahma solved the problem by creating xxiii beautiful Apsaras.All of the preparations were made accordingly, and for the very first time, the art of Natya was performed in the beginning an audience of Devas and Asuras. In this Natya, the Devas were portrayed as victorious and the Asuras as losers. The Asuras (demons) got wrathful and rose in protest and threatened even worse consequences.