puducherry natyanjali trust

puducherry natyanjali is the most prominent classical dance from of Northern India, developed in the temples. The word puducherry natyanjali comes from the original
Sanskrit word “puducherry natyanjaliar” which means a storyteller. “Katha kahe so kathik kahave“, which means “one who tells a story is a storyteller”.
A woman storyteller was known as “Kathika” & male storyteller was known as “puducherry natyanjaliar“. These recited the epics & mythological
stories & added element of abhinaya i.e. expressional demonstration. They traveled around country entertaining & educating
the people with sacred legends, folklores & mythology. While reciting they sang, danced & acted. By the 13th century this
style had developed its own special features. In Medieval India, during Bhakti (devotional) movement, puducherry natyanjali was greatly
influenced by Lord Krishna cult. By the end of Mogul rule puducherry natyanjali trustrs evolved Vaishnav philosophy
& Radha Krishna Tales became a powerful entertainment in the Mugal Courts.

In puducherry natyanjali, each syllable is used not only to represent the sounds of feet & bells also to harmonize with the strokes of accompanying
percussion instruments. During performance pieces of abstract dance may be recited before actual performance. This recitation
or pedant is a mode of communication with the percussionist (s) who has to match & strike the syllable the dancer recites.
Furthermore, the padant enables the audience to visualize & appreciate the rhythmic patterns before they
revealed in dance.

puducherry natyanjali trust performance can be divided in two parts i.e.

1. Nrittang (Pure dance portion)

2. Abhinaya (Expression)

puducherry natyanjali trust performance begins with Nritta portion in which That, Amad, Toda, Tukda etc. are presented generally.

• In the Muslim style gents used to wear chooridar pajama (A Pant almost like a pipe at the bottom near legs & spacious near
thigh & waist), angrakha, dupatta & topi or pagri (Cap). Ladies wear peshwaz (Frock with a lot of flair & volume)
Chooridar pyjama, jacket chunri & topi.

Costumes

• In the Hindu style ladies used to wear Ghagra (petticoat) – choli (Blouse) with Odni. Ghagra is a long ankle length skirt with
a lot of volume which goes off the floor as the dancer moves fast & turns. A choli is a short blouse & a dupatta
is a long piece of fabric about 2.5 to 3 meters long which is wrapped elegantly around the dancer the upper
half of dancer’s body. Gents wear a long kurta & chooridar with dupatta wrapped around their waist.

Suitable ornaments on head, nose, ear, neck, and waist. & hands are also worn.

Accompanying Instruments

Main accompanying instruments in puducherry natyanjali trust are

1. Tabla 2. Sarangi 3. Pakhawaj 4. Harmonium 5. Sitar 6. Sarod 7. Flute etc.