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- 77 - existed in India since legendary times. Bharata refers to different styles of dancing according to the various regions of the country - the four Local usages the four Local usages (Pravrttis)- Avanti, Daksinaty膩, Pa帽c膩li and Odramagadhi and gives their 6 characteristics. Thus, we see that the art had attained
maturity in different regions long before the time of Bharata.
Bharata has mentioned his predecessors also. It is very
surprising that the classical art of dancing had been flourish-
ing in a highly developed and systematio form over two thousand
years ago. Everything is elaborately analysed, and rules and
conventions are laid down to regulate it.
Panini, the grammarian (2500 B.C.) mentions the names
of two Natas - Sil盲lin and Krasva in the Natasutra (IV.3.110-
111). The art of dancing flourished in the epic period.
Actors and professional dancers were popular, and ganik膩s
(courtesans) were considered auspicious. In the epic and
Buddhist periods dancing was demonstrated in the royal court
before the honoured guests. There were troupes of dancers who
were patronized by kings. We hear of the seduction of Gautama
Buddha by the daughters of Mara who danced before him.
necessary for the princesses to be well-versed in the art of
dancing. Brhannada and Uttara in the Mahabharata are some
of the instances.
It was
In the Sundarakanda of Ramayana there are
references to the art of dancing concerning its actual technique,
and the Ayodhya kanda shows that Nata, Nartaks, the Ganik膩
and the Gayika had enriched the art. Arsne is the most popular