Dance Dramas of Tanjore by Dr. Kalarani Ramachandran

Dance and music are inevitable in the journey of a human life. Bharatha in his magnificent work Natyasastra reiterates this lofty thought. Dance is an art form that embodies prose, poetry, and drama. It is a visual treat that ensures happiness for both the dancer and the onlooker. Dance dramas, compared to individual recitals, have always been welcomed by the general audience. Artists, through the dance dramas were instrumental in taking to public the songs that were mythological, moral, just, valorous, and filled with sringara, the eternal love. Kings who ruled Tamil Nadu patronized art and artists. Special mention to the support offered by Tanjore kings that brought exemplary growth and changes in the field of fine arts. This book is an attempt to capture the growth of Dance Dramas between the 13th and 19th century A.D.