Vedic  Dances of india

Every aspect in Vedic tradition has only one goal, to help one transcend to the Awareness state. Vedic dances are not an exception from that purpose. The repetition in dance steps in all Vedic dances are all meant for that pulling the mind inward to the deep Awareness state.

Repetition is seen in all Vedic arts and dances. The repetition might look boring but it has a tremendous impact on the spectators to help them transcend to the Awareness state. But every time the artist repeats the sequence, he or she along with the audience transcend to the state of being, the Awareness state.

 Hence all Vedic Arts whether it is Music or Dance were considered divine. Why divine, because they all help to transcend to the Awareness state, which is the state of "Being / Atman. This aspect makes South and North Indian and other folk dances of Vedic tradition distinct all from other dance style.

All other dances of the world are meant only for "Entertainment".  It  satiates the sensory mind through seductive movements and so gives instant pleasure in seeing it. It makes  the body rock and tickles the sensory mind, but not help to transcend to the Awareness state. It keeps the mind more in the physical body and emotional-mind state.

 Dances in Vedic tradition are not only entertaining but also helps to transcend to the higher Self. All Vedic dances give spiritual "Aananda" verses the "happiness" given through other dances (Click here to know the difference between Aananda & happiness).

 The attitude of the performer is very different in the Vedic culture. The use their body mere as a tool to reach the state of Awareness that is what one reaches in Meditation. In this state one experiences bliss which is different from happiness. This is because one experience freedom from the wandering mind which is always anxious of the future or depressed about the past.

     While performing or observing the Vedic Music or Dance, one transcends the wandering nature of mind, the Ego which overshadows always the Awareness state. The Awareness that we are not  always aware of is brought about through Vedic Arts. This is   the very purpose of Vedic Arts. It is like all other Vedic Rituals. Hence during this Vedic performance the skilled performer brings the Audience to this Awareness state. Hence all Music performers call their performance as "Sadhana".

Sadhana is a term used by a spiritual aspirant to reach the Awareness state. Music becomes a Sadhana because it helps to reach this Awareness state.

Every dance  has symbolism in the steps involved. The dances like Bharathanatyam, Kathakali, Mohiniattom, kuchipudi, Kathak, theiyyam and so many other Vedic tradition dances have all one motive behind performing them. However they use different spiritual themes from Puranas, Ithihasas and bring out the symbolism in them. Through the performance they help the audience to transcend to that Awareness state.

Unfortunately this knowledge is fast diminishing and in the name of Modernization, performers are performing some of these dances in seductive style bringing down the great cultural heritage of Vedic land.

Click here to see a sample of a Mohiniattom  dance bringing out the symbolism behind theme of Ganesha story.

Another Bharatanatyam dance symbolizing the story of shiva.