Re: karanas & adavus

Posted by deva on December 07, 2007 at 04:59:08:

In Reply to: Re: karanas & adavus posted by confused on December 07, 2007 at 00:26:12:

I would study the link below closely

http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/01260/evolution.html

They are just different names for the same thing...a dance unit.
The only arguments in which I feel that they are different are,

In bharatanatyam(BN), some/most of the erotic aspects that are underlying in the physicality of the karanas are done away with. Hence no hip or heaving chest movements away from the central axis of the body is allowed in BN.Also certain postural/feet stances are completely different.
I have found this to be true while I learnt both forms. I started learning the natyashastra and the 108 karanas as redevised by Dr Padma Subramanyam around 2 years after I had completed my basic BN adavu training. So I had something direct to compare it too.

Karanas and adavus are similar only in definition. They are both dance units. Like in ballet I think the closest term for this would be an enchainement. The physicality of both are completely different.
If you started learning the karanas, you would find the differences quite obvious becase your body would start telling you what they were.

Also you have got to understand that the Natyashastra and the karanas underlined in it, form the basic guidelines of ALL dance forms of South East Asia. This came first. Then came Sadir/BN, Kathak, Oddissi,Kuchipudi,Manipuri,Balinese etc etc.
Each form has adopted movement/stances particular to their own style from these karanas. Which is why I feel they are a wonderful aspect of dance to learn as it really rounds up your training as an Indian Classical/folk dancer.

I hope that clarifies what I feel is a rather grey area for a lot of dancers, probably even me,as even while I write this, I discover more. We are still discovering. Dont just take my word for it blindly. Find out and actally start practising more if you can. Maybe you will come up with your own tangent of discoveries.
All the best,
: thanks a lot.
: these readings tell me that the karanas and adavus are same. but what abt the arguments that they r different?
: kindly clarify.