The Mohiniyattam of Kerala is an example of the Lasya dance

Lasya (Sanskrit: लास्य, romanized: Lāsya) is a female dance form that originated in India.[1] In Hindu mythology, Lasya refers to the dance innovated and performed by the goddess Parvati, described to be gentle and graceful.[2] Described in the Natya Shastra, the feminine Lasya danced by Parvati is contrasted by the masculine Tandava dance of her consort, Shiva.[3][4]

Etymology

The term lāsya is derived from the root ‘las’ meaning to play or to frolic. It is also translated as lively.[5]

Legend

According to legend, the Lasya was taught by Parvati to Usha, the daughter of Banasura.[6] Usha, in turn, is regarded to have taught the dance to the milkmaids known as the gopikas, who are believed to have spread the technique to women throughout the land.[7]

Description

Described as the prototype of all female dancing, the Lasya is danced in a variety of forms, most of which comprise the small and seductive motions of the feet. Some forms of the Lasya consist of the rapid succession of minor steps, regarded to be erotic. During the performance of the dance, the feet are kept parallel and close to one another, each foot following the other with precision in time. An example of this dance is the Mohiniyattam of Kerala.[8]

There are described to be four forms of the Lasya: Srinkhala, Lata, Pindi, and Bhedyaka.[9]

Professor Inayat Khan in his book Munqar Musicar (1912) wrote: "Women and men both perform this dance and there are a number of recognized masters (ustad) of it in India. Lasya is accompanied by two sarangi players and a tabid, and sometimes a manjira (small indian cymbals). It is danced by one woman, or by two together".[10]

References

  1. ^ Arnold, Alison (2017-09-25). The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music: South Asia: The Indian Subcontinent. Routledge. p. 749. ISBN 978-1-351-54438-2.
  2. ^ Bose, Mandakranta (2012-12-06). Movement and Mimesis: The Idea of Dance in the Sanskritic Tradition. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 152. ISBN 978-94-011-3594-8.
  3. ^ Masson-Ousel, P.; Stern, P.; Willman-Grabowska, H. (2013-10-11). Ancient India and Indian Civilization. Routledge. p. 375. ISBN 978-1-136-20072-4.
  4. ^ Ganguly, Anil Baran (1979). Fine Arts in Ancient India. Abhinav Publications. p. 78.
  5. ^ Subramuniya (Master.) (2000). How to Become a Hindu: A Guide for Seekers and Born Hindus. Himalayan Academy Publications. p. 368. ISBN 978-0-945497-82-0.
  6. ^ Vatsyayan, Kapila (1974). INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. p. 40. ISBN 978-81-230-2957-3.
  7. ^ Shivaji, Bharati; Pasricha, Avinash (1986). The Art of Mohiniyāttam. Lancer Publishers. p. 6. ISBN 978-81-7062-003-7.
  8. ^ Walker, Benjamin (2019-04-09). Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. In Two Volumes. Volume I A-L. Routledge. p. 304. ISBN 978-0-429-62421-6.
  9. ^ Bhagyalekshmy, S. Approach to Bharatanatyam. p. 5.
  10. ^ Hazrat Inayat Khan. «The Minqar-i Musiqar: Hazrat Inayat Khan's Classic 1912 Work on Indian Musical Theory and Practice». Omega Publications. 2016 (ISBN 1941810187)
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