Perini Sivatandavam

Perini Shivathandavam (Perini Śivathandavam) or Perini Thandavam is an ancient dance form from Telangana which has been revived in recent time.[1] It prospered during the Kakatiya dynasty.[2] Perini is performed in honour of Lord Shiva, the Hindu God and it is believed that in ancient times this was performed before the soldiers set to war. Nataraja Ramakrishna revived the art form by studying old manuscripts and sculptures at Ramappa Temple.[2][3]

Tandavam Scene

The dance

The Perini Shiva Thandavam is a dance form usually performed by males. It is called 'Dance of Warriors'. Warriors before leaving to the battlefield enact this dance before the idol of Lord Shiva.[4] The dance form, Perini, reached its pinnacle during the rule of the Kakatiyas who established their dynasty at Warangal and ruled for almost two centuries. The dance form is mentioned in the Sanskrit text Nrttya Ratnavali of Jayapa Senani.[4] Based on its complex parts and myths, it is believed that the dance form developed for a long time prior to it.[5]

It is believed that this dance form invokes 'Prerana' (inspiration) and is dedicated to supreme dancer, Lord Shiva. One can find evidence of this dance in the sculptures near Garbha Gudi (Sanctum Sanctorum) of the Ramappa Temple at Warangal.[6][4]

Perini is a vigorous dance done to the resounding beats of drums. Dancers drive themselves to a state of mental abstraction where they feel the power of Shiva in their body. While dancing they invoke Shiva to come into him and dance through him. The dance was also performed on special platforms in front of temples.[5] Perini dance form almost disappeared after the decline of the Kakatiya dynasty but Dr. Nataraja Ramakrishna brought renaissance in Perini dance.[2][7][3]

See also

References
  1. "Andhra Natyam, Perini dance in temples across State". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 16 October 2010. Archived from the original on 20 October 2010.
  2. P., Surya Rao (10 November 2006). "Blast from the past". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 November 2007.
  3. Gupta, Roxanne Kamayani (1 March 2000). A Yoga of Indian Classical Dance: The Yogini's Mirror. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-59477-527-7.
  4. Ponvannan, Gayathri (25 January 2022). 100 Great Chronicles of Indian History: From Cave Paintings to the Constitution. Hachette India. ISBN 978-93-91028-77-0.
  5. Morgenroth, Wolfgang (18 May 2020). Sanskrit and World Culture: Proceedings of the Fourth World Sanskrit Conference of the International Association of Sanskrit Studies, Weimar, May 23–30, 1979. Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG. p. 93. ISBN 978-3-11-232094-5.
  6. "Telangana's Perini dance, 'Naatu Naatu' by Korean embassy get PM Minister Narendra Modi thumbs-up |". The Times of India. 27 February 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  7. "Kuchipudi legend Nataraja Ramakrishna passes away". The Hindu. 7 June 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 March 2023.


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