kalakshetra and Thanjavur - Style Difference

poonmahe · Post by **poonmahe** » 13 Dec 2008, 00:24

Hello Rasikas,

Can anyone shred some light on the major style differences of kalakshetra and Thanjavur Style dance.

manikand28 · Post by **manikand28** » 13 Dec 2008, 21:24

as a rasika, you will see kalakshetra style is slower and thanjavur style is fast paced. starts wil alarippu in kalakstherta with pushpanjali in thanjavur. varmas in thanjavur style are more devotional and god related, kalaksethra is more romantic etc. this is m observation, i prefer thanjavur style

Umesh · Post by **Umesh** » 13 Dec 2008, 23:23

poonmahe,

We've touched on this topic a few times before in the forum. See this thread:
http://rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2403/teacher-tanjore-style/

ardhanariswar · Post by **ardhanariswar** » 14 Dec 2008, 12:17

From what I've seen, the Thanjavur style is a little more flimsy. Some call it graceful, but I guess its a matter of opinion. Kalakshetra is more focused on precision and clean lines.

A peculiar thing I've noticed is that when Thanjavur dancers are developing abhinayam in a song, say a varnam, they walk backwards and forwards, frequently tapping their toes. Kalakshetra however has everything choreographed to exact precision, so when multiple dancers perform a piece, there's no lack of coordination.

I disagree with some who assert that Kalakshetra is not feminine and graceful. Its a different kind of grace, one with more rounded movements and torso swaying, which is elegant and neat. Its a grace that can be both masculine and feminine. Its young and more subdued.

Umesh · Post by **Umesh** » 14 Dec 2008, 23:03

I think we must be careful not to judge styles based upon individual dancers. Traditionally, the Thanjavur/Pandanallur style is a very precise style, with controlled and leisurely paced nritta. Kalakshetra, in fact, arose from this style. Neither is "flimsy."

ardhanariswar wrote:A peculiar thing I've noticed is that when Thanjavur dancers are developing abhinayam in a song, say a varnam, they walk backwards and forwards, frequently tapping their toes. Kalakshetra however has everything choreographed to exact precision, so when multiple dancers perform a piece, there's no lack of coordination.

There are specific stances a dancer can take while doing abhinaya, but nothing is set, like it typically is in Kalakshetra. The walking and tapping you speak about reminds me of Balasaraswati's style, which is a hereditary style, different from the Pandanallur/Thanjavur bani. Remember that Bharatanatyam is traditionally a solo art form. Naturally, Rukmini Devi needed set choreography for her dance dramas when several dancers performed in unison.

ardhanariswar wrote:I disagree with some who assert that Kalakshetra is not feminine and graceful. Its a different kind of grace, one with more rounded movements and torso swaying, which is elegant and neat.

I am a firm believer that each style is beautiful it its own way, but the fact is RDA wanted to remove the rounded movements and torso swaying!! These are typically not accepted in the Kalakshetra style.

ardhanariswar · Post by **ardhanariswar** » 15 Dec 2008, 00:27

[quote=""Umesh""]I think we must be careful not to judge styles based upon individual dancers.[/quote]
True, true, my bad.
Its difficult to differentiate nowadays since dancers have begun learning from various gurus and such. Even watching performances of other dances can influence your own. I think its impossible to continue on in a particular tradition unless you live in some sort of vacuum.

[quote=""Umesh""]I am a firm believer that each style is beautiful it its own way, but the fact is RDA wanted to remove the rounded movements and torso swaying!! These are typically not accepted in the Kalakshetra style.[/quote]

No. Hip/butt swaying was removed, as it was deemed too suggestive. But Kalakshetra definitly has torso swaying and rounded arcs. take the thathai tham, dhith thei tham adavu. The torso is never stiff. It leans and streatches into each movement.

poonmahe · Post by **poonmahe** » 15 Dec 2008, 02:22

Great discussions. Thank you everyone. I read the thred that Umesh provied. Very detail and intresting information. When I see all the front line dancer, it is very hard to point out the style with few exceptions like C V Chandrashekharji. I get influenced by seeing Priya Govind, Mythilli Prakash and Allarmel Vall and C V Chandra shekharji. I think by mixing the styles the choreography comes out beautifully and plus you see some combination work that becomes uniq and something that is not tried before.

Umesh · Post by **Umesh** » 15 Dec 2008, 09:36

Ardhanariswar: That adavu is an old one, found and performed with slight variations (usually diff. mudras) in every style. If anything, it is more "cut" in the Kalakshetra bani. Rounded movements are not a hallmark of Kalakshetra, but of course, individual definitions vary.

Yes, poonmahe, I agree. A dancer needs to develop his/her own individual style, regardless of the style in which they are trained. Malavika Sarukkai and Priya Govind had the same Guru, but each is unique (and fantastic!).

gandharva64 · Post by **gandharva64** » 15 Dec 2008, 10:56

ardhanariswar wrote:From what I've seen, the Thanjavur style is a little more flimsy. Some call it graceful, but I guess its a matter of opinion. Kalakshetra is more focused on precision and clean lines.

Straight and plain is not "clean".

ardhanariswar wrote: Kalakshetra however has everything choreographed to exact precision, so when multiple dancers perform a piece, there's no lack of coordination.

Yes, Kalakshetra is simplified, with no scope for individual interpretation, - to suit the group performances

ardhanariswar wrote:...Kalakshetra is not feminine and graceful. Its a different kind of grace, one with more rounded movements and torso swaying, which is elegant and neat. Its a grace that can be both masculine and feminine. Its young and more subdued.

Show me at least 1 Kalakshetra dancer who has displayed these. In Kalakshetra style, for example, there are no heaving of the breast, and the shoulders are never raised. These two movements emphasise greater emotions, so we can say that Kalakshetra style is emotionless (very good for Army men). The Thanjavur style does not involve so much of running around the stage.

Indeed, the Thanjavur was more "leisurely", but now many young Thanjavur dancers realized that it was only the elderly dancers who did so. Now, in adavus, they started lifting the heels fully up (as in Kalakshetra) in adavus like gudittadavu, and moving the shoulder horizontally with the full amplitude.

Kalakshetra's abhinaya is exactly the same as the abhinaya of the European theatre. Rukmini Devi was too westernized. In short, ask any European person the simple question: "What looks more like western ballet: Kalakshetra or Thanjavur"? Kalakshetra style is not related to the Indian psyche.

ardhanariswar · Post by **ardhanariswar** » 15 Dec 2008, 11:38

Call me an optimist. I see Kalakshetra as the opportunity for dancers to learn the strong fundamentals of bharatanatyam. Sure, it may focus more on nritta than abhinyam, but I'm glad it does anyway. There's only so much of abhinayam you can teach. A lot of it has to come from the dancer, he/she must personalize it and draw from their own experiences.

[quote=""gandharva64""]Show me at least 1 Kalakshetra dancer who has displayed these. In Kalakshetra style, for example, there are no heaving of the breast, and the shoulders are never raised.[/quote]

But those aren't particular to the pandanallur or vazhuvoor style. They're just personalized movements that dancers add own to their own style. Not all non-kalakshetra dancers employ those techniques you've mentioned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2VR6tICFmY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df3ta1KECMo
They're both graceful and fresh. To call them emotionless would make you blind, seriously.

[quote=""gandharva64""]Kalakshetra's abhinaya is exactly the same as the abhinaya of the European theatre. Rukmini Devi was too westernized. In short, ask any European person the simple question: "What looks more like western ballet: Kalakshetra or Thanjavur"? Kalakshetra style is not related to the Indian psyche.[/quote]

No. Just no.

gracefululde · Post by **gracefululde** » 15 Dec 2008, 16:32

ardhanariswar wrote: They're just personalized movements that dancers add own to their own style. Not all non-kalakshetra dancers employ those techniques you've mentioned.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2VR6tICFmY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df3ta1KECMo
They're both graceful and fresh. To call them emotionless would make you blind, seriously.

I don't think we should allow Boston night clubs to brainwash us so much so that we cannot distinguish between a Russian cabaret dancer and a Bharatanatyam dancer. Come and visit Chennai one day.

ardhanariswar · Post by **ardhanariswar** » 15 Dec 2008, 21:06

gracefululde wrote:I don't think we should allow Boston night clubs to brainwash us so much so that we cannot distinguish between a Russian cabaret dancer and a Bharatanatyam dancer. Come and visit Chennai one day.

Bitter much?
Make all the assumptions you want. When you're finished and ready to have an intelligent conversation about dance, lemme kno.

gracefululde · Post by **gracefululde** » 15 Dec 2008, 21:25

When you gave the first link (to that Russian cabaret dancer trying to do Bharatanatyam), what other assumptions could I make?

ardhanariswar · Post by **ardhanariswar** » 16 Dec 2008, 11:03

You're completely missing the point of abhinyam.
gandharva64 thinks that Kalakshetra is over simplified and has no scope for individual interpretation. But then he goes on to say Kalakshetra's abhinyam is the same as European Theater. Really? What is 'European Theater' actually?

And if you're saying abhinayam has to be personalized, whats wrong if she adds in her unique 'russian' expressions (even though there's hardly any evidence of that)?

I know it may seem that I'm a staunch supporter of Kalakshetra, but there's a lot of elements I disagree with. The commercialization of dance that Kalakshetra accomplished has its pros and cons. Its definitly spread the art form and its awareness.
I disagree with RDA and her views on sexuality and sringaram. I only prefer this style because I'm a man and I think its more appropriate to learn this style rather than I dunno, mellatur. I don't think swaying my hips is aesthetically pleasing. Unless if you love guys swaying their hips. :p But I'm certainly not into that.

gracefululde · Post by **gracefululde** » 19 Dec 2008, 15:45

Oh, yes, ardhanariswar, I noticed it from your choice of the user id here. :rolleyes:

gracefululde · Post by **gracefululde** » 19 Dec 2008, 21:04

The Kalakshetra style is very suitable for non-Hindus (Christians, Muslims, atheists).
Dhananjayan sir, speaking of Sringara, pointed out: ""¦Bhakti, the tie between a devotee and God. Amorous interpretation of this would be inappropriate."

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 19 Dec 2008, 21:44

gracefululde, please refrain from personal remarks aimed at individual members. One code of conduct in this forum is mutual respect for each other even while we vigorously argue our point of view. If you feel it is appropriate, you can modify your posts yourself or the Mods will have to step in.

poonmahe · Post by **poonmahe** » 20 Dec 2008, 02:37

The way the conversations for this thread have diverted is really disappointing. The discussion is not about which style is better or plus or minuses of the styles. I strongly believe the styles rightfully represent the treasure of our (Indians) culture and heritage.

In case anyone missed the point, I just wanted to discuss, some of the prominent features of these styles that distinguish one style from another.

Just one note as Bharatnatyam exponent and Rasika of it, I appreciate the Russian dancer who put such an effort learning, understanding and loving this Art and showed her respect by performing it.

VK RAMAN · Post by **VK RAMAN** » 20 Dec 2008, 02:59

I happened to visit the Kalakshetra website. No where it says that it is meant for non-hindus. In fact 90% of board members are hindus and or brahmins.

srkris · Post by **srkris** » 20 Dec 2008, 14:03

Gracefuldude and gandharva64, please note that duplicate IDs are not allowed on this forum. Kindly desist from making personal attacks.