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Papers by Bhavani Udayakumar

Research paper thumbnail of The Rhythm of Rituals of Tamil Nadu – a Descriptive Study

ShodhKosh Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, Oct 1, 2023

A ritual is a set of actions performed in a particular order with religious, cultural, or sociall... more A ritual is a set of actions performed in a particular order with religious, cultural, or socially significant meaning. Religious ceremonies are usually followed as prescribed in religious scriptures as a long-standing practice. Music and dance have always had their place among humans that can be traced back to as early as the ancient civilisations of the world. Even to date, some of the most common factors that can be seen as a part of rituals, irrespective of cultural differences, might be music, dance, and food. Rhythm is ever prevailing in all nature and even in manmade things. The music and dance are mere extensions of the rhythm of an individual or a community that is expressed outward. Hence, they are inevitable in the rituals too. India, with a rich tradition of religion and arts, influences the community to a greater extent. This study uses a descriptive research methodology to analyse the Rituals of Tamil Nādu involving music and dance. The mythological background of rituals and music, rituals regarding the temple, kingdom, folk rituals, and commoners involving music or dance have been discussed. These rituals are slowly fading with the increase in the modernisation of the world. With technologies replacing several artists, it can also be considered the last resort to record and archive arts and rituals on the verge of extinction. Some ritualistic arts might not be saved even with help as they follow a rigorous customary tradition that can only be carried on by the family line. Rituals involving superficial beliefs that affect or hurt the physical aspects of humans or animals might be avoided. However, the arts related to it must be encouraged to document to be passed on to the future generation.

Research paper thumbnail of Silence – an Unheard Face of Layam

ShodhKosh Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, Mar 29, 2023

Rhythm is an integral part of the universe. Every aspect of nature works in a pattern or cycle. T... more Rhythm is an integral part of the universe. Every aspect of nature works in a pattern or cycle. This innate natural rhythm is called Layam. When this layam gets disrupted, it becomes Pralayam, Disaster. It is an equally important aspect in the Art forms like Music or Dance. According to the Indian Music system, the layam is the natural tempo, while Tala is considered the tool to measure the layam for the length of a specific composition. The concept of Tala Dasa Pranas describes the Ten lifelines of the Tala for any composition. As per that, Laya is the space or the rest between the two actions. This space can either be filled with sounds or silence. The aesthetics lie in understanding the appropriate usage of sounds and silence concerning proportion, place, and reason. Silence intensifies an emotion, letting one experience it for longer without any distraction or change. The placement of silence in different contexts might convey different meanings or emotions. Silence, due to lack of words or sounds, gives an individual the freedom of interpretation and imagination. Apart from music or dance, phrases like 'awe struck' or 'dumb struck' denote one's loss of words during an emotionally heightened situation. In this study, Silence, an important aspect of layam, has been studied concerning literature, Music, Jathi recitation, Nritta of the dance and the emotional expression or Abhinaya of dance. This study enables a better understanding of the importance and power of silence, an aspect of Layam.

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of COVID-19 Among the Indian Classical Artists - an Empirical Study

ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts

Covid-19 is an ongoing pandemic worldwide that started in the year 2019 from the city of Wuhan Ch... more Covid-19 is an ongoing pandemic worldwide that started in the year 2019 from the city of Wuhan China. As the spread of this virus was rapid, people were suggested to wear masks and maintain social distance to avoid the same. This fell like a big challenge in a country like India with a high density of population. The number of restrictions and lockdowns affected the livelihood of almost all the professions. The artist community was one among them. This study aims at understanding the impact of the above-mentioned situation on the Indian Traditional Artist community. An online survey was conducted through Google Forms and collected responses using the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) questionnaire from 188 artists along with other demographical and professional details. This study shows that the artist community underwent a considerable amount of distress, with creative block being the topmost difficulty faced, followed by financial and Health issues (Physically and ment...

Volume 4 Issue 1 by Bhavani Udayakumar

Research paper thumbnail of SILENCE -AN UNHEARD FACE OF LAYAM

SHODHKOSH : Journal and visual performing arts, 2023

Rhythm is an integral part of the universe. Every aspect of nature works in a pattern or cycle. T... more Rhythm is an integral part of the universe. Every aspect of nature works in a pattern or cycle. This innate natural rhythm is called Layam. When this layam gets disrupted, it becomes Pralayam, Disaster. It is an equally important aspect in the Art forms like Music or Dance. According to the Indian Music system, the layam is the natural tempo, while Tala is considered the tool to measure the layam for the length of a specific composition. The concept of Tala Dasa Pranas describes the Ten lifelines of the Tala for any composition. As per that, Laya is the space or the rest between the two actions. This space can either be filled with sounds or silence. The aesthetics lie in understanding the appropriate usage of sounds and silence concerning proportion, place, and reason. Silence intensifies an emotion, letting one experience it for longer without any distraction or change. The placement of silence in different contexts might convey different meanings or emotions. Silence, due to lack of words or sounds, gives an individual the freedom of interpretation and imagination. Apart from music or dance, phrases like 'awe struck' or 'dumb struck' denote one's loss of words during an emotionally heightened situation. In this study, Silence, an important aspect of layam, has been studied concerning literature, Music, Jathi recitation, Nritta of the dance and the emotional expression or Abhinaya of dance. This study enables a better understanding of the importance and power of silence, an aspect of Layam.

Volume 4 Issue 2 by Bhavani Udayakumar

Research paper thumbnail of THE RHYTHM OF RITUALS OF TAMIL NADU -A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Granthaalayah Publications and Printers, 2023

A ritual is a set of actions performed in a particular order with religious, cultural, or sociall... more A ritual is a set of actions performed in a particular order with religious, cultural, or socially significant meaning. Religious ceremonies are usually followed as prescribed in religious scriptures as a long-standing practice. Music and dance have always had their place among humans that can be traced back to as early as the ancient civilisations of the world. Even to date, some of the most common factors that can be seen as a part of rituals, irrespective of cultural differences, might be music, dance, and food. Rhythm is ever prevailing in all nature and even in manmade things. The music and dance are mere extensions of the rhythm of an individual or a community that is expressed outward. Hence, they are inevitable in the rituals too. India, with a rich tradition of religion and arts, influences the community to a greater extent. This study uses a descriptive research methodology to analyse the Rituals of Tamil Nādu involving music and dance. The mythological background of rituals and music, rituals regarding the temple, kingdom, folk rituals, and commoners involving music or dance have been discussed. These rituals are slowly fading with the increase in the modernisation of the world. With technologies replacing several artists, it can also be considered the last resort to record and archive arts and rituals on the verge of extinction. Some ritualistic arts might not be saved even with help as they follow a rigorous customary tradition that can only be carried on by the family line. Rituals involving superficial beliefs that affect or hurt the physical aspects of humans or animals might be avoided. However, the arts related to it must be encouraged to document to be passed on to the future generation.

Research paper thumbnail of The Rhythm of Rituals of Tamil Nadu – a Descriptive Study

ShodhKosh Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, Oct 1, 2023

A ritual is a set of actions performed in a particular order with religious, cultural, or sociall... more A ritual is a set of actions performed in a particular order with religious, cultural, or socially significant meaning. Religious ceremonies are usually followed as prescribed in religious scriptures as a long-standing practice. Music and dance have always had their place among humans that can be traced back to as early as the ancient civilisations of the world. Even to date, some of the most common factors that can be seen as a part of rituals, irrespective of cultural differences, might be music, dance, and food. Rhythm is ever prevailing in all nature and even in manmade things. The music and dance are mere extensions of the rhythm of an individual or a community that is expressed outward. Hence, they are inevitable in the rituals too. India, with a rich tradition of religion and arts, influences the community to a greater extent. This study uses a descriptive research methodology to analyse the Rituals of Tamil Nādu involving music and dance. The mythological background of rituals and music, rituals regarding the temple, kingdom, folk rituals, and commoners involving music or dance have been discussed. These rituals are slowly fading with the increase in the modernisation of the world. With technologies replacing several artists, it can also be considered the last resort to record and archive arts and rituals on the verge of extinction. Some ritualistic arts might not be saved even with help as they follow a rigorous customary tradition that can only be carried on by the family line. Rituals involving superficial beliefs that affect or hurt the physical aspects of humans or animals might be avoided. However, the arts related to it must be encouraged to document to be passed on to the future generation.

Research paper thumbnail of Silence – an Unheard Face of Layam

ShodhKosh Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, Mar 29, 2023

Rhythm is an integral part of the universe. Every aspect of nature works in a pattern or cycle. T... more Rhythm is an integral part of the universe. Every aspect of nature works in a pattern or cycle. This innate natural rhythm is called Layam. When this layam gets disrupted, it becomes Pralayam, Disaster. It is an equally important aspect in the Art forms like Music or Dance. According to the Indian Music system, the layam is the natural tempo, while Tala is considered the tool to measure the layam for the length of a specific composition. The concept of Tala Dasa Pranas describes the Ten lifelines of the Tala for any composition. As per that, Laya is the space or the rest between the two actions. This space can either be filled with sounds or silence. The aesthetics lie in understanding the appropriate usage of sounds and silence concerning proportion, place, and reason. Silence intensifies an emotion, letting one experience it for longer without any distraction or change. The placement of silence in different contexts might convey different meanings or emotions. Silence, due to lack of words or sounds, gives an individual the freedom of interpretation and imagination. Apart from music or dance, phrases like 'awe struck' or 'dumb struck' denote one's loss of words during an emotionally heightened situation. In this study, Silence, an important aspect of layam, has been studied concerning literature, Music, Jathi recitation, Nritta of the dance and the emotional expression or Abhinaya of dance. This study enables a better understanding of the importance and power of silence, an aspect of Layam.

Research paper thumbnail of Impact of COVID-19 Among the Indian Classical Artists - an Empirical Study

ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts

Covid-19 is an ongoing pandemic worldwide that started in the year 2019 from the city of Wuhan Ch... more Covid-19 is an ongoing pandemic worldwide that started in the year 2019 from the city of Wuhan China. As the spread of this virus was rapid, people were suggested to wear masks and maintain social distance to avoid the same. This fell like a big challenge in a country like India with a high density of population. The number of restrictions and lockdowns affected the livelihood of almost all the professions. The artist community was one among them. This study aims at understanding the impact of the above-mentioned situation on the Indian Traditional Artist community. An online survey was conducted through Google Forms and collected responses using the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) questionnaire from 188 artists along with other demographical and professional details. This study shows that the artist community underwent a considerable amount of distress, with creative block being the topmost difficulty faced, followed by financial and Health issues (Physically and ment...

Research paper thumbnail of SILENCE -AN UNHEARD FACE OF LAYAM

SHODHKOSH : Journal and visual performing arts, 2023

Rhythm is an integral part of the universe. Every aspect of nature works in a pattern or cycle. T... more Rhythm is an integral part of the universe. Every aspect of nature works in a pattern or cycle. This innate natural rhythm is called Layam. When this layam gets disrupted, it becomes Pralayam, Disaster. It is an equally important aspect in the Art forms like Music or Dance. According to the Indian Music system, the layam is the natural tempo, while Tala is considered the tool to measure the layam for the length of a specific composition. The concept of Tala Dasa Pranas describes the Ten lifelines of the Tala for any composition. As per that, Laya is the space or the rest between the two actions. This space can either be filled with sounds or silence. The aesthetics lie in understanding the appropriate usage of sounds and silence concerning proportion, place, and reason. Silence intensifies an emotion, letting one experience it for longer without any distraction or change. The placement of silence in different contexts might convey different meanings or emotions. Silence, due to lack of words or sounds, gives an individual the freedom of interpretation and imagination. Apart from music or dance, phrases like 'awe struck' or 'dumb struck' denote one's loss of words during an emotionally heightened situation. In this study, Silence, an important aspect of layam, has been studied concerning literature, Music, Jathi recitation, Nritta of the dance and the emotional expression or Abhinaya of dance. This study enables a better understanding of the importance and power of silence, an aspect of Layam.

Research paper thumbnail of THE RHYTHM OF RITUALS OF TAMIL NADU -A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Granthaalayah Publications and Printers, 2023

A ritual is a set of actions performed in a particular order with religious, cultural, or sociall... more A ritual is a set of actions performed in a particular order with religious, cultural, or socially significant meaning. Religious ceremonies are usually followed as prescribed in religious scriptures as a long-standing practice. Music and dance have always had their place among humans that can be traced back to as early as the ancient civilisations of the world. Even to date, some of the most common factors that can be seen as a part of rituals, irrespective of cultural differences, might be music, dance, and food. Rhythm is ever prevailing in all nature and even in manmade things. The music and dance are mere extensions of the rhythm of an individual or a community that is expressed outward. Hence, they are inevitable in the rituals too. India, with a rich tradition of religion and arts, influences the community to a greater extent. This study uses a descriptive research methodology to analyse the Rituals of Tamil Nādu involving music and dance. The mythological background of rituals and music, rituals regarding the temple, kingdom, folk rituals, and commoners involving music or dance have been discussed. These rituals are slowly fading with the increase in the modernisation of the world. With technologies replacing several artists, it can also be considered the last resort to record and archive arts and rituals on the verge of extinction. Some ritualistic arts might not be saved even with help as they follow a rigorous customary tradition that can only be carried on by the family line. Rituals involving superficial beliefs that affect or hurt the physical aspects of humans or animals might be avoided. However, the arts related to it must be encouraged to document to be passed on to the future generation.