Page 53 - Journeys Through Society-7

and disciple of Khwaja Hazarat Nizamuddin Auliya and Some classical dance styles that evolved in this period
participated in musical gatherings at this khanqah. are Kathakali in Kerala, Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh
Firoz Shah Tughluq was a great patron of music. The and Bharatnatyam in Tamil Nadu, Kathak in North
musical text Rag-darpan was translated into Persian India and Manipuri in north-eastern India.
during his reign. During the reign of the Cholas, Bharatnatyam,
flourished as a popular dance form. It evolved in South
Wow Fact India, especially Tamil Nadu, and was primarily

associated with temples.
The most notable figure in music in medieval
India was Tansen, the court musician of Kathak is one of the classical dance forms of northern
Akbar. His attainments in music have become India. It is performed by both men and women. Kathak
a subject of legends. Tansen introduced a
number of innovations including ragas. combines Nritta and Nritya. The dance form involves
extensive use of gestures by the eyes, eyebrows, neck
and wrists. The dance form is composed of three
components—amad, a dance salutation, torahs—
The growth of Indian classical music has been a major
intricate and complex steps and gathas—
force of India’s cultural unity. The Kitab-i-Nauras, a
interpretations through gestures.
collection of songs in praise of hindu deities and
Muslim saints was written by a seventeenth century During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, at the
ruler Ibrahim Adil Shah II. peak of the Bhakti movement, Rasalilas had a
tremendous impact on Kathak. The popularity of the
Two main classical styles of vocal and instrumental
Radha-Krishna legend led to further innovations in the
music evolved—Hindustani and Carnatic.
dance form. With the dawn of Islamic rule in the
The music developed in north India is known as
sixteenth century, dance was brought out of the
Hindustani music. It was largely influenced by Persian
temples and introduced in the courts of the rulers.
music. Carnatic music developed in south India under
Kathak began to acquire its distinctive shape and
the Vijaynagar and the Chola rulers. Some of the
features because of Persian influence. Jaipur, Banaras
greatest figures in Carnatic music were:
and Lucknow were the gharanas of Kathak. Kathak
Purandaradasa, Thyagraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar
mainly concentrates on rhythm.
and Syamasastri.
Wow Fact

The Gita Govinda of Jayadeva written in the
twelfth century, is a monumental work of the
medieval period in Sanskrit consisting of 24
songs, each set to a particular raga.

Indian Dance Forms
Kathakali Bharatnatyam Kathak
The glimpse of Indian dance can be had in the temple
sculptures of ancient and medieval times.

Indian dance
53