dance notes

VEENA

It is a stringed, plucked instrument. The one, which is used now in South India and Srilanka is called Saraswathi Veena. It is usually made out of jack wood. The sound box or resonator is called the kudam is made out of a piece of wood hollowed out and shaped round. It is then covered with a plank of wood, with some holes arranged in two circles. The part (Dandi) where the notes are played is made by hollowing out a long piece of wood, is connected to the kudam. On the other end of the Dandi a curved piece of wood, shaped like the head of a yali

(an extinct animal), is attached. Black wax is placed like a wall (about ½ inch high) on both the edges of the Dandi. 24 metal frets (1/6 inch wide and about 2½ inch long) are set on the wax representing the successive note of two octaves. Near the yali end of the Dandi a hollowware gourd (suraikkai) is attached to balance the veena as well as to enhance the sound.

A veena has seven strings made of steel. The four main playing strings are threaded to the four pegs near the yali, stretched over the frets on the Dandi, passed over the Gurram, the main flat wooden bridge at the centre of the kudam, and connected to the mental rings of the Langars which are attached to the silver clamp (called Nagapasam) at the far end of the kudam. The three tala strings connected to rings attached to the Nagapasam, passed over the curved metal bridge propped against the main bridge, are threaded to the three pegs on the player's side of the Dandi.

The veena player sits cross legged on the floor, keeping the kudam to her/his right and the suraikkai on the left thigh, bring the left hand round the Dandi from below, touch the strings by the fore and middle fingers, resting this hand on the kudam. The right hand little finger is used to pluck the tala strings upwards.

Altogether 3 octaves can be played on the veena. It is polyphonies, i.e. more than one note can played on it at the same time.

FLUTE

The flute is a wind instrument. It is a very ancient instrument, one of the first musical instruments made by man. Flutes used in different countries differ in length, cross- section, and the number of finger holes, which may vary from 2 to 8.

The flute is used as a solo instrument, as well as an accompaniment in religious, dance, film etc.

The controlled sound from a flute is capable of charming one. All gamakas (graces, curves, etc) using microtones (sruthi) can be played successfully on the flute. Very fast phrases as well as long sustained note can be executed very well on this instrument. like the human voice a flute can play only within the range of 2 octaves and is monophonous (can only produce only one note at a time).

The pitch of a flute is determined when is made, although it is possible to make slight adjustments.

The flute is made of a single homogeneous material, which may be sandalwood, ebony, cane, ivory, gold or silver, but bamboo gives the best tone. The holes of the flute should be in one straight line.

The hole, through which the air is blown, should be a bit bigger than other holes. The inner part of the flute must be hollow and soft. A cork piece is fixed on the end of the main hole where lips throw air. This cork meant for producing sound.

Definition of a Dancer (Paathira Lakshanam)

PHYSICAL FEATURES: Young appearing look, good physical appearance, slender body, pleasant, attractive smile, large expressive eyes, slim waist, beautiful, with round breasts, not very fat or thin, either very tall or short, fine rows of teeth, well- formed

CHARACTER APPEARANCE: Musical training, knowing exactly when to begin and when to stop. Able to perform abinayam according to the accompaniment of vocal and instrumental music and to observe the proper time beats. Good character, willing to leam art, patience, self confident, pleasing, obedient to guru, able to sing, devotional to god, rishi and guru/teacher. Wearing a splendid dress possessing a happy countenance. She should know where to start and finish the dance.

Kinkini Lakshanam (Qualities of 'Bells')

Suswarascha Swaroopaashcha Sookshma Nakshathra-devathaaha |

Kinkinyaha Kaamsyarachithaa Yekaikaanguli- Kaantharam ||

Bhadhneeya Neelashoothreyna Granthibishcha Drudampunaha

Shathath-dwayam Shatham-Vaapee Paadayoor Natyakaarini ||

Kinkini means "Salangai." The bells are made out of bronze or copper or silver, Each bell is a beautiful sphere shape. The bells are woven through a black rope with one-inch interval between each of them. In the olden days the left leg had 100 bells and the right leg had 200 bells. Later on both legs had 100 bells. Nowadays the right and left legs have about 30-50 bells on each leg which are sewn on a leather band. The bells are tied on the dancer's two feet. This produces pleasant sound to the ear. It also helps to maintain the rhythm of the song and produces the beat of the Talam.