Performing Arts, Music, Dances, Drama, Puppetry

The performing arts is an umbrella term encompassing various artistic disciplines, including music, dance, and drama, all performed to an audience. Music, a universal art, is often integral to other forms and reflects diverse contexts - sacred, classical, or popular. Dance, a complex yet ordered expression, usually conveys sentiments or illustrates specific events. Traditional theatre, combining acting, singing, dance, and music, transcends mere performance, playing crucial societal and cultural roles. 

These art forms have not only entertained and captivated audiences but have also served as a means of preserving and transmitting cultural values, stories, and traditions across generations.

Historical Patronage of Performing Arts in India

As civilizations developed, rulers and religious centres provided sustenance to the performing arts. They hosted and employed performers, invited artists from other regions, and facilitated a meaningful cross-cultural exchange. This support encouraged artists to learn, teach, and experiment with their chosen art forms.

• Vedic Period: The Rigveda contains hymns that were likely sung during religious rituals. This period also saw the development of Gandharva Veda, an ancient treatise on music.
• The Golden Age of the Guptas: The Gupta dynasty witnessed a flourishing of the arts, with the royal court emerging as a major patron. 
• The Pallava, Chola, Vijayanagara and other medieval dynasties continued this tradition, endowing temple complexes and dedicating spaces for cultivating and performing various art forms.
• Mughal era: The Mughal era witnessed a unique synthesis of Persian and Indian performing arts, with Akbar's patronage of Tansen and the flourishing of Hindustani classical music and Kathak dance under royal support, leading to the development of various gharanas.
• The colonial period, though disruptive in many ways, also led to the codification and revival of several classical traditions through the efforts of scholar-practitioners.
• Post-Independence era: The Indian state has played a pivotal role in the preservation, promotion, and dissemination of the country's rich performing arts heritage through institutions, festivals, awards, and policies.

Concept of Performing Arts

The concept of Performing Arts in Indian culture is deeply intertwined with expressing human emotions, or ‘Rasas’. These Rasas are a key element in various art forms, including music, dance, and drama, which are collectively known as the performing arts.

• Art as expression: Art is a manifestation of the human mind’s aesthetic qualities, reflecting a spectrum of emotions.
• Rasas: The term ‘Rasa’ in Sanskrit symbolises the essence of emotions, akin to a sweet juice providing satisfaction or ‘aanand’. There are traditionally nine Rasas, known as ‘Navras’, each representing a different emotional state: 
  • Hasya (laughter), Shringara (love/beauty), Karuna(sorrow), Raudra (anger), Veera (heroism/courage), Bhayanaka (terror/fear), Bibhatsa (disgust), Adbutha (surprise/wonder), Shantha (peace or tranquillity).
• Art Forms: Human emotions are spontaneously expressed through various art forms, such as singing, dancing, drawing, painting, acting, and sculpture.
• Visual vs. Performing Arts: Visual arts include sketching, painting, and sculpture while performing arts encompass singing, dancing, and acting.
• Music: In India, music has been a predominant art form since ancient times, with roots traceable to the Sama Veda.
• Historical texts:
• Natyashastra: Authored by Bharata Muni is dated around the 2nd century BCE, it’s a seminal text on performing arts with significant emphasis on music.
• Brihaddesi: Matanga’s work from the 8th-9th century AD, where ragas were first systematically named and described.
• Sangeet Ratnakara: A 13th-century text by Sarangdeva, listing 264 ragas.
• Instruments: Over time, a variety of string and wind instruments have been developed, with ancient texts mentioning flutes, drums, veena, and cymbals.

Music

Music in Indian culture dates back to the Vedic era, with Narada Muni introducing music to Earth and the concept of Nada Brahma (the sound pervading the universe).

• Ancient instruments like the seven-holed flute from theIndus Valley Civilization and the Ravanahatha from Sri Lanka’s Hela Civilization highlight India’s rich musical history.
• The Aitareya Aranyaka mentions components of the Veena, a revered musical instrument, and the Jaiminiya Brahmana discusses dance and music collectively.
• The sacred syllable “Om” is believed by musicologists to be the source of all ragas and musical notes.

Classical Music

Indian music history evolved from Vedic times to Sangita Ratnakara, then divided into Hindustani and Carnatic systems around the 14th century, enriching Raga, Tala, and musical forms. Haripala introduced Hindustani and Carnatic music terms around the same period. 

• Carnatic Music: Originating in the southern regions of India, Carnatic music is known for its intricate melodic and rhythmic patterns and its emphasis on vocal music. 
  • It follows a highly structured system of ragas and talas, with compositions often based on religious texts and themes. 
  • Prominent instruments include the veena, mridangam, and nadaswaram.
• Hindustani Music: Rooted in the Vedic traditions, Hindustani classical music evolved over centuries, incorporating influences from various cultures and dynasties. 
  • Its complex melodic structures (ragas) and rhythmic cycles (talas) characterise it. 
  • Notable genres include Dhrupad, Khayal, Thumri, and Ghazal. 
  • Prominent instruments include the sitar, sarod, sarangi, and tabla.
• Folk Music: It is an expression of the emotions and experiences of everyday people, celebrating life events and serving as oral histories. 
  • Each state has its unique musical traditions, and while classical music adheres to strict rules laid out in texts like the Natyashastra, folk music is more fluid and spontaneous such as the Mand of Rajasthan and the Bhatiali of Bengal.
  • Examples: Baul music (Bengal), Rabindra Sangeet (Bengal), Bhangra (Punjab), Lavani (Maharashtra), Garba (Gujarat), and Bihu (Assam), among many others.

Dances of India

Dance is a rhythmic, ordered bodily movement, often set to music, expressing sentiments, illustrating events, or daily activities like hunting, warfare, or religious rituals. The art of dance in India has deep historical roots.

• Origins and early references: India has ancient roots, with mentions in the Rig Veda of dance (nrti) and danseuse (nrtu). 
  • The Brahmanas, including Jaiminiya and Kausitaki, mention dance and music together, and the Epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata are filled with references to dances on earth and in heaven.
• Development of classical tradition: Like music, Indian dance has developed a rich classical tradition, with a powerful capacity for expression and storytelling. 
  • Ancient statues from Harappa and Mohenjodaro reveal glimpses of dance. A male dancer’s torso and a dancing girl’s figure hint at its presence in the Indus Valley Civilization.
• The Natyashastra of Bharata is a primary source of information for the analytical study of this art form. 
  • Bharata discussed dance and its various angas (limbs) in detail, categorising them under nritta (pada sanchalan), nritya (anga sanchalan), and natya (abhinay).
• Religious and cultural significance: In traditional Indian culture, dance served to symbolically express religious ideas. 
• The figure of Lord Shiva as Nataraja, representing the creation and destruction of the cosmic cycle, is a testament to the importance of dance in Indian culture. 
• Classical Dance Forms: Originating in temple rituals, these dance styles symbolically express religious ideas and mythological narratives.
  • The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognises 8 dance forms as classical: Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Mohiniattam, Odissi, Manipuri, Kathak, and Sattriya.
• Folk Dances: These dances evolved from the lives and celebrations of common people. These dance forms celebrate various aspects of life, from harvests and festivals to martial traditions and social customs.
  • These dances, often performed in unison, include the Bihu of Assam, Garba of Gujarat, Bhangra and Gidda of Punjab, Bamboo dance of Mizoram, Koli of Maharashtra, Dhumal of Kashmir, and Chhau of Bengal, among many others.

Drama and Theatre

Indian drama traces its origins to the Vedic period, where ritual performances and recitations of epic narratives laid the groundwork. The Natyashastra provides principles and techniques for ancient Indian theatre.

• Classical Sanskrit drama: Flourished from the 1st century CE to the 12th century CE:
  • Playwrights like Kalidasa, Bhasa, Sudraka, and Harsha crafted intricate dramas blending poetry, music, and dance.
  • Themes ranged from love and heroism to exploration of the human condition.
  • Sanskrit theatre thrived through royal patronage and temple performances.
  • Stylised acting, rich language, and incorporation of music and dance characterised these plays.
• Emergence of Regional Theatre: As Sanskrit drama waned, regional theatre traditions emerged. These forms were rooted in local languages, folk narratives, and religious or social customs. Notable examples:
  • Tamasha (Maharashtra): Semi-improvised folk theatre with music, dance, and satire.
  • Nautanki (Uttar Pradesh): Folk opera enacting epics and legends.
  • Tamilu (Tamil Nadu): Street theatre exploring social and political themes.
  • Jatra (West Bengal): Devotional and mythological narratives.
  • Bhand Pather (Jammu and Kashmir): Comic theatre using masks and satire.

Martial Arts

India, with its rich cultural heritage known for a diverse array of martial arts. Originally used for combat, these disciplines now serve as demonstrations, rituals, fitness routines, and self-defence methods. These martial arts not only showcase India's rich warrior heritage but also serve as a means of physical, mental, and spiritual development for practitioners.

• Kalaripayattu (Kerala): One of the oldest surviving martial arts, it emphasises fluid, acrobatic movements and the use of various weapons.
• Silambam (Tamil Nadu): A stick-fighting art is known for its intricate footwork and lightning-fast strikes.
• Gatka (Punjab): A traditional Sikh martial art that involves the skilled handling of swords, shields, and other weapons.
• Thang-Ta (Manipur): It combines the use of sword (thang) and spear (ta) with fluid, graceful movements.
• Mallakhamb (Maharashtra& other states): A unique sport that involves complex gymnastic feats performed on a vertical wooden pole or rope.

Puppetry

Puppetry is an ancient form of storytelling and entertainment, with diverse regional variations and traditional techniques. These puppet traditions not only entertain but also serve as a medium for the transmission of cultural heritage, social commentary, and spiritual narratives. These include:

• Kathputli (Rajasthan): Colourful, string-operated puppets that depict characters from epics, folklore, and daily life.
• Tholu Bommalata (Andhra Pradesh): Shadow puppetry using intricately crafted leather puppets, often used to enact mythological stories.
• Putumaikkal (Tamil Nadu): Glove puppets made of cloth, leather, and wood, used to perform folk tales and social satires.
• Pavakkathakal (Kerala): Rod puppets with intricate costumes and makeup, portraying characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• Chhou (West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha): Mask-based puppet theatre that combines elements of dance, drama, and martial arts.

Performing Arts UPSC PYQs

Question 1:  With reference to the cultural history of India consider the following statements (UPSC Prelims 2018)

1. Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna
2. Tyagaraja created several new ragas
3. Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are contemporaries
4. Annamacharya kirtanas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 and 4 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b)

Question 2: Consider the following pairs: (UPSC Prelims 2018)
Tradition —– State

1. Chapchar Kut festival – Mizoram
2. Khongjom Parba ballad – Manipur
3. Thang -Ta dance – Sikkim

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2
3. 3 only
4. 2 and 3

Answer: (b)

Question 3:  With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements: (UPSC Prelims 2017)

1. It is a song and dance performance
2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance
3. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1 only

Answer: (a)

Performing Arts FAQs

Q1. What are the major performing arts forms? 

Ans. The major performing arts forms include theatre, music, dance, opera, magic, mime, and circus arts.

Q2. What is the difference between performing arts and visual arts? 

Ans. Performing arts are art forms that are performed live in front of an audience, while visual arts are static art forms like painting, sculpture, and photography.

Q3. What are the major classical dance forms of India? 

Ans. The major classical dance forms of India are Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, Sattriya, Manipuri, and Mohiniyattam.

Q4. What is the role of music in performing arts? 

Ans. Music plays a crucial role in many performing arts forms, providing rhythm, setting the mood, and enhancing the overall experience for the audience.

Q5. What is the difference between a play and a musical? 

Ans. A play is a theatrical performance that primarily uses dialogue and action, while a musical incorporates songs and dance sequences into the storyline.