Current Affairs 22-September-2023 (The Hindu)

Indian Classical Dance

(D Pg-16.)

Introduction

Classical dance is a rich and ancient form of artistic expression that has been an integral part of Indian culture for centuries. It encompasses a wide range of styles, each with its own unique characteristics and cultural significance.

Aspects

• Lasya - grace, bhava, rasa, and abhinaya.

Lasya represents the gentle and graceful aspects of classical dance, characterized by subtle expressions, emotions, and storytelling.

• Tandava - symbolic to the male aspects of dance.

Tandava, on the other hand, embodies the more vigorous and energetic facets of dance, focusing on intricate rhythms and dynamic movements.

Basic Elements of an Act

• Nritta - basic dance steps, performed rhythmically but devoid of any expression or mood.

Nritta forms the foundation of classical dance, emphasizing pure movement and technique without conveying specific emotions.

• Natya - dramatic representations - refers to the story that is elaborated through dance recital.

Natya involves the enactment of stories, myths, and legends through intricate choreography, gestures, and expressions, bringing narratives to life.

• Nritya - sentiment and the emotions evoked through dance.

Nritya combines both Nritta and Natya to convey a wide range of sentiments and emotions, making the performance emotionally engaging and relatable.

Nine Rasas

• shringaara-Love
• haasya-laughter
• karuna-compassion
• roudra-anger
• veera-heroism
• bhayaanaka-fear
• bibhatsa-disgust
• adbhutha-wonder
• shaantha- peace

Mudras

• Combination of hand gestures and body postures.

Mudras are symbolic hand gestures and body postures that have specific meanings and are used to convey various aspects of a story or theme within a dance performance.

• 108 fundamental mudras.

There are 108 fundamental mudras in classical dance, each with its own significance and usage, making them a crucial element of the art form.

Eg:


Mudras

• Governed by the basic rules and guidelines laid down in the Natya Shastra.

The Natya Shastra, an ancient treatise on performing arts, provides the foundational principles and guidelines for classical dance, ensuring its continuity and authenticity.

• Guru-shishya parampara forms the core of Indian classical art form.

The transmission of classical dance knowledge and skills is traditionally passed down from guru (teacher) to shishya (student), maintaining a strong lineage and preserving the art's authenticity.

Classical Dances Recognized by Sangeet Natak Akademi and Ministry of Culture

• Bharatanatyam - from Tamil Nadu
• Kathak - from Uttar Pradesh
• Kathakali - from Kerala
• Kuchipudi - from Andhra Pradesh
• Manipuri - from Manipur
• Mohiniyattam - from Kerala
• Odissi - from Odisha
• Sattriya - from Assam

8 Dances

Other Dances Recognized by the Ministry of Culture

• Chhau - from Eastern India (Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal)

Chhau Dance

(The Sangeet Natak Akademi has given recognition to eight Indian dances. The Indian government's Ministry of Culture includes nine dance forms.)

Hypertension

(D Pg-Sci-2.)

It occurs when the force of blood pushing through the blood vessels (arteries) is consistently too high.(also known as high blood pressure)

Ideal Blood Pressure (BP): 90/60mmHg to 120/80mmHg

High BP: >140/90mmHg

Causes

• Unhealthy life choices - lack of physical activity, high-salt diet, smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating unhealthy food.
• Medical conditions - diabetes, obesity, and kidney failure.

Effects

• Silent killer - Until health complications arise, hypertension often goes unnoticed.
• Complications include strokes, heart attacks, kidney damage, and heart failure.

WHO Report on Hypertension

• Hypertension affects 1 in 3 adults worldwide.
• Number of people living with hypertension has doubled from 1990 to 2019:
• 1990 - 650 million people.
• 2019 - 1.3 billion.
• Nearly three-quarters of those affected live in low and middle-income countries.
• Nearly half of people with high BP are unaware of their condition.
• Nearly 4 out of 5 people with hypertension are inadequately treated.
• If treatment is scaled up, it could avert 76 million deaths between 2023 and 2050.

India's Performance in Addressing High BP

• Research papers about hypertension published in 'The Lancet' and 'Cure us' highlight the growing prevalence of hypertension in India.

Findings

• In India, younger adults and people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are highly affected by hypertension.
• A significant portion of hypertensive individuals in India remain undiagnosed, often due to lack of awareness or limited access to healthcare services.
• Even when people in India know that they have high BP, 6 out of 10 do not start treatment.

Way Forward for India

• The Government of India should adopt educational and behavioral interventions to accelerate the treatment of hypertension.
• Reevaluation of national strategies on treating high BP is necessary due to the rising prevalence of hypertension among the poor and young adults.
• Adoption of evidence-based policies to address uncontrolled hypertension is essential, considering limited research on lifestyle and risk factors, and non-consideration of social factors in healthcare.