Male domination in classical Indian dances

by Subashini Pathmanathan

The role of males in Indian classical dance forms is immeasurable. In many Indian classical dance forms, such as Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, and Bhagavatha Mela only male dancers performed in ancient times. In the later years the females started participating in these classical dance forms, except Bhagavatha Mela.

Kuchipudi is a classical dance form of Telugu Desha, based on drama. Earlier, the male dancers dressed themselves as female dancers, but later females started playing important roles in Kuchipudi. Today Kuchipudi is the classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh, and female dancers are the main participants.

The Bhagavatha Mela is another Indian classical dance form which has close links with Kuchipudi. Like Kuchipudi this is also a drama based dance, that's why it is considered as a dance drama. As in Kuchipudi, oral conversations, take place, between the dancers and the musicians.

Bhagavatha Mela dance drama is still preserved and practised by only the males. The special feature of Bhagavatha Mela is only preserved and practised by the male Brahmin community. But Bhagavatha Mela dance drama had laid down a firm foundation for the development of dance drama, in Bharatha Natyam.

Besides these, Odissi dance has its origin from Orissa state. Earlier Odissi dancers were males. They were called gotipuas. The male dancers dressed themselves as females while they danced. It is essentially a temple dance. Even today many of the Odissi dance teachers are Gotipuas of yesteryears. The male dancers (gotipuas) still dance.

The music of Odissi is a fusion of Carnatic and Hindustani music.

Traditionally gotipuas were dancing on two important occasions. One was Chandra Jatra and the other was Jhoolan Jatra. Initially this dance form originated and was based on Vaishnava cult. And later it was also cherished and adopted in Saivaism. In the olden days they adorned themselves with many ornaments, but today they sparingly use ornaments.

Another Indian classical dance form is Kathak. It is a popular classical dance form of North India.

In this classical dance form the male dancers play an equal role with female dancers. Even in teaching Kathak, the role of the males is equally important.

The male Kathak dancers wear simple costumes. They wear long pyjamas and specially designed tops. They don't wear much ornaments, and they do not have any hair dressing.

Kathakali is another Indian classical dance form based on Hinduism.

Even the female characters are danced by the male dancers, and still males play a major role in this classical dance form.

Originally this was danced by the males alone. The male dancers were called Chakaiyer. The music is totally based on Carnatic music.

The dance themes are generally based on various epics and puranic and ithikasa stories.

Kathakali dance form uses heavy makeup and use different masks appropriate to the character portrayed. Kireedam or the crown is worn by the dancers along with the face masks. The ornaments are placed and tied over the dresses.

Another Indian classical dance form is Manipuri. The male dancers play equally important roles with the female dancers. The male Manipuri dancers generally carry a different variety of drums, while they dance. Sometimes while they perform they carry large cymbals (which are called Kartaal) and dance. The male Manipuri dancers generally wear white dhotis, and many times they do wear white turbans.

This is the special and distinct feature of the Manipuri male dancers as compared to the male dancers of other Indian classical dances. They hardly wear any ornaments. They do not even wear the ankle bells.

India's most popular classical dance form is Bharatha Natyam which evolved out of Sathir. In ancient days, lots of male dancers danced Sathir in temples.

They were called by various names, like Chakai Maraiyan, Poonan, Santhi Koothan, Kootha Peeraiyan, Nattuva Aasan, and Araiyer. High awards were awarded to these outstanding male dancers in the olden days. For instance, 'Nattuva Kulothunga Chola Nirtha Peraiyan', 'Thiruvorai Chakai Mummdi Chola Nirutha Peeraiyan' were some of the titles conferred on the outstanding performers. Still there are a number of outstanding male dancers and numerous dance teachers and choreographers who belong to the traditional nattuvanar clan.

In the Indian classical dance forms, the males play important roles with female dancers.

The contribution of males for the development of certain classical dance forms are more than that of the females. Kuchupidi and Odissi originally were danced by males alone. Bhagavatha Mela is still wholly performed by the male performers, and in Kathakali, the male dancers play more important roles than female dancers.

In Kathak, and Manipuri, the role of the male dancers is equally important with female dancers.

In Bharatha Natyam, the most outstanding gurus are the males, and there are a very few outstanding male performers in the present practical field.