Dance in India has a rich and vital tradition dating back to the vedas. It always had a significant place in our religious and social life. According to the ancient classification, two styles of dances are recognized – Tandav and Lasya. Tandava the masculine is heroic, bold and vigorous while Lasya the feminine is soft, lyrical and graceful.
According to Natyashastra, the ancient treatise of music dance and drama, Lasya was the dance performed by Goddess Parvati in response to the male energy of the cosmic dance of Tandava performed by Lord Shiva. The dance is extremely soft in movements and shringarik in expressions and this is performed more effectively by female dancers. The Raas Nritya of Mathura, Halisak of South India, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Manipuri, Oddissi, Mohiniattam, Kuchipudi etc, which are performed today in various regions owe their origin to ‘Lasya’.
Three types of Lasya Nritya are practised today:
- ‘Vikat Lasya’: The dance form in which Laya, Taal, Bhavas are exhibited while performing, is called ‘Vikat Lasya’.
- ‘Visham Lasya’ : By using ‘Bhramari’ through horizontal, circular and slanted movements, special footwork in Laya based dance, ‘Visham Lasya’ is performed.
- ‘Laghu Lasya’: By producing sound on earth through anklets and through Anchit Kunchit Padvinyas, ‘Laghu Lasya’ is performed.
In this dance, instruments with soft sound, high bass are used such as ‘Manjira’, ‘Flute’, ‘Ghunghroo’ (anklets), ‘Madal, ‘Khol, ‘Tabla’, ‘Tumburu’ etc.
The costumes used are extremely shringarik and attractive. The female dancers use Chunnatdar Dhoti, broad Waist Bandh and Patka. They also wear garlands of flowers in their hairs and Chunnis of bright and dark colours. The hands and neck are adorned with pearls and flowers.