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Resources => Dance [Public] => Topic started by: Jennifer- on December 29, 2008, 02:04:35 AM

Title: Dhamal (Sufi trance dance)
Post by: Jennifer- on December 29, 2008, 02:04:35 AM

What is Dhamal?

Dhamal is a Sanskrit word that originally referred to fire-running by Muslim fakirs (Holy men). In modern times that definition has changed to denote a Sufi trance dance, designed to attain union with the Divine. The sole goal of Sufis is to attain union with God. You may be familiar with the whirling dervishes of Turkey but Dhamal is less constrained to rules and regulations of movement. It is a unique way to express your own personal link with Divinity. No-one can dictate how you should experience the Divine in your life and the drumming to which dhamal is done speaks directly to your spirit, by-passing dogma and inhibitions.

(http://www.iktara.co.uk/images/stories/writing/womandhamal[1].jpg)

How to do it

Prepare your dancing space by clearing physical space and perhaps, if you like, lighting incense (Jasmine or Rose are Hamraz's preferred scents but only use those which you personally find appealing). Prepare yourself mentally to communicate with a higher intelligence. Sit comfortably on the floor and place your left hand on your heart chakra (see below for the six basic Sufi chakras) and your right hand on top of your left one. Imagine a beam of light coming from above and connecting with your crown chakra. Imagine the colour of the light beam to be whichever colour you feel drawn to at that time, whether pure white, iridescent black, dark blue, green, red, yellow or any other colour that you prefer. Even a complete lack of colour (like rising heat) is fine as long as you can imagine or feel that the beam is there.

(http://www.iktara.co.uk/images/stories/writing/blkwomandance[1].jpg)

Now, imagine you have become a puppet that is connected by a wire or string, in the shape of that beam of light, and that the string is in the hands of a compassionate, divine, higher intelligence. After you are connected in this way, start to play a suitable drumming CD and return to the place at which you were sitting.  Start dancing only when you feel a real urge to. Do not resist the urge and also do not try to force the urge upon you. It should come automatically without any effort on your part. Sometimes it takes a few seconds and sometimes a few minutes but have faith in that higher being and it will definitely come upon you.

When dancing, do not pay any attention to the movements of your body. Let your limbs and any other parts of your body express their own rhythm and movements. Only listen to the beat of the drum. This beat through the beam of light is giving the instruction to your body to move. If you find yourself repeating movements, stay with that monotony. Those movements are vital for unblocking your particular problematic chakra or chakras. You will literally be healing yourself through the dance and the connection that it stems from. Your inner mood will change with the different movements (chals) of the drum. There are seven movements in a classic dhamal CD.  The whole experience of Dhamal is to lose control of yourself and to hand over your body to Divine energy. It is a release and is naturally extrovert in nature. So feel the flight, the vastness and the blessing of the dancing. Be thankful that you are able to move in spontaneity, in unique movements that are created for just for you and just for that space and time.

The chakras in Sufism

There are six basic chakras which are as follow:

1 Point of carnal self. Its centre is in solar plexus (just below the belly button). The colour is yellow.

2 Point of heart. Its centre is an inch or so below the left breast. Its colour is red.

3 Point of soul. Its centre is an inch or so below the right breast. Its colour is white.

4 Point of mystery. It is situated between the point of heart and soul in the middle of chest. Its colour is green.

5 Point of veiled. It is situated in the middle of forehead, popularly known as third eye. Its colour is dark blue. It is the meeting point between soul (spirit) and the body. Everything from the Divine comes to this point and is then distributed into other points.   

6 Point of mantle. It is situated in the crown of the head. Its colour is a shining, iridescent black.

(http://www.iktara.co.uk/images/stories/writing/burkadhamal[1].jpg)

Title: Re: Dhamal (Sufi trance dance)
Post by: Jennifer- on December 29, 2008, 02:13:09 AM

(http://gallery.photo.net/photo/5902156-md.jpg)

(http://gallery.photo.net/photo/5902152-md.jpg)

(http://gallery.photo.net/photo/5538450-md.jpg)

Title: Re: Dhamal (Sufi trance dance)
Post by: Jennifer- on December 29, 2008, 02:22:39 AM

(http://gallery.photo.net/photo/6826383-md.jpg)

(http://gallery.photo.net/photo/6872260-md.jpg)

(http://gallery.photo.net/photo/6865914-md.jpg)

(http://gallery.photo.net/photo/6913283-md.jpg)

Title: Re: Dhamal (Sufi trance dance)
Post by: tangerine dream on December 29, 2008, 02:38:07 AM

This might be what I've been seeing lately.  I couldn't hear any music, no audio in these visions.   :(


Thanks Jennifer :-*

Title: Re: Dhamal (Sufi trance dance)
Post by: Jennifer- on December 29, 2008, 03:14:25 AM

Sorry no sound from the woodland.. my connection hardly remains for the photos.. I can not view the YouTubes etc..

You'll have to listen with different ears.. :)

Quote

This might be what I've been seeing lately.

? 

Title: Re: Dhamal (Sufi trance dance)
Post by: tangerine dream on December 29, 2008, 03:29:46 AM

Quote from: Sky on December 29, 2008, 03:14:25 AM

Sorry no sound from the woodland.. my connection hardly remains for the photos.. I can not view the YouTubes etc..

You'll have to listen with different ears.. :)


? 

I should have been more clear.  I've been having visions, of something strikingly similar to this dance, though I couldn't hear any music.    I had my ears on, but the sound I heard was not music (at least of the usual type).

Title: Re: Dhamal (Sufi trance dance)
Post by: Jennifer- on December 29, 2008, 03:38:42 AM

oops.. I misread your words.. :)

Perhaps you start hearing the sound between the notes..

In the visions are you witness to yourself dancing or others?

Title: Re: Dhamal (Sufi trance dance)
Post by: nichi on December 29, 2008, 06:12:29 AM

Very appealing and beautiful all of these are, Sky!

Title: Re: Dhamal (Sufi trance dance)
Post by: Michael on December 29, 2008, 12:02:43 PM

interesting to note the role of the musicians in some of those dance scenes - I have often noticed in India how the musicians are integral but secondary. This is different to Western popular environments where the focus is much more on the personalties of the musicians.

In India, the musicians are a lower caste than the people who hold the gathering or do the dancing. There is thus a battle that ensues, as they definitely need the musicians, who know the special rhythms for every event. And the musicians always want to be paid better, as the patrons constantly try to rip them off.

I like the idea that the musicians are more like service utilities, and that leaves the real focus on the individuals participating.

Title: Re: Kathak: (Sufi dance)
Post by: Jennifer- on December 31, 2008, 03:14:20 PM

(http://www.xpress4me.com/images/08/01/09/must_see_supplied_4.jpg)

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2007/03/16/images/2007031600660301.jpg)

Title: Re: Kathak: (Sufi dance)
Post by: Jennifer- on December 31, 2008, 03:18:45 PM

Sufi Kathak is undeniably a young urban dance, that has won global acclaims in the such a less time. Popularized around eleven years back, Sufi Kathak is a scintillating renditions of famous dancer, Manjari Chaturvedi. Ancient Kathak blended with the pulsating Sufi Sangeet appeals to many faiths and emphasis on the mysticism through music is a treat to people of different belief. Needless to say, it is slowly becoming a popular hits amongst the other classical dances.

 Sufi Kathak is the unique dance form of the 22nd century. Fused with the unique dance idioms and synchronized with the Sufi music (i.e the Mystical dimension of Islam), it expatiates the audience the various whirl and trill with the awe inspiring wave of expressions. In one way we can say it is new yet ancient. It is the rekindle of the ancient form of dance and traditional music. On the serious notes, Sufi Kathak, deserves credit for furthering the profile of the Indian Dance Internationally.

 Human creativity has no boundaries and Sufi Kathak is the result of it. It is definitely a break from the modern hip-hops. Popularly called as the 'Dance of Ecstasy' it is sure to set the temperature soaring up. And for the art connoisseurs it is somewhat sensual traditional performance that combine 600 year old poetic compositions with the Indian classical dance.

 Sufi Kathak enjoys patronization as the dance of symbolism, strength and mystic responses. When the human dancer enacts this act, encompassing diverse background and concepts, he or she completely surrenders to the almighty. Sufi Kathak is the dance of formless identity, because Sufism is a way to reach God almighty that is formless himself.

Manjari Chaturvedi's ground breaking choreography based on the Sufi poetry that existed on the Indian subcontinent in the form of Qawwalis, Sufi music from the states of Punjab and Rajasthan, Classical Hindustani music and spiritual music of Iran. It is the part of the mainstream, its theme, music and costumes are different but the grammar is the same.

 It's slow and mediated compositions are based on the spiritual compositions as seen in the Majari's dance performance. One can feel the magniloquence of this unique form of dance as she losses herself to its admiring music and spirituality that makes the brilliant unison of the dance and the dancer. The emotional singing of the six Qawwals add the ambiance of the otherworldliness.

 Sufi Kathak is already getting popularized in different parts of the world, as the people were already curious to see something like this. In short, Sufi Kathak is the Modern Indian Dance with the difference.

 

Title: Re: Kathak: (Sufi dance)
Post by: Jennifer- on December 31, 2008, 03:23:41 PM

  Traditional, yet new

K. K. GOPALAKRISHNAN

Dancer Manjari Chaturvedi talks about the philosophy of her art form, Sufi Kathak.

(http://www.hindu.com/mag/2007/01/14/images/2007011400170501.jpg)

 Blend of two styles: But it remains within the format of Kathak.

SUFI Kathak is an art form of recent origin that has stormed the traditional Indian dance stage. It is the result of Delhi-based Kathak exponent, Manjari Chaturvedi's obsession with the mysticism of Sufism.

Sufi Kathak is performed to a wide range of Sufi music — classical, Qawali, Rajasthani Sufi music, Kashmiri Sufi music and Iranian Sufi music. None of these were earlier part of a traditional Kathak recital.

"In an effort to distinguish it from its classical form, I incorporated the charisma of Sufism, the moving meditation, thereby blending both the Hindu and Muslim traditions," explains Chaturvedi. "In fact, Sufi Kathak is a dance in surrender to the Almighty, to His love. It spans from earthly romance of Hindi folk to the evolved Sufi imagery of love; from a beloved in flesh and blood to the abstract presence of the Almighty; from a form to formlessness."

Upbringing

With a professional degree in Kathak from the Kathak Kendra, Lucknow, she was brought up in Lucknow. "I was lucky to have an excellent guru in Pandit Arjun Mishra who taught me the intricacies of traditional Kathak, which later formed the base for my work on Sufi Kathak. Little did I realise then that this would become my life's work," saysManjari.

In Lucknow, she was also exposed to qawali singing, which is an integral part of the culture in north India, especially Lucknow and Delhi.

"The verses of great Sufi poets and its music touched my soul. I gradually started dancing to qawalis as a part of my recitals. Gradually I came in contact with Sufi musicians, thinkers and followers of Sufi saints and tried to understand the strong philosophy of love in Sufi poetry. I also travelled to Central Asia — to Turkmenistan, Kyrgzstan and Uzbekistan — and worked with artists from Tajikistan, Iran, Turkey and Morocco, which enhanced my knowledge of Sufi traditions in those regions. This happened over a decade and Sufi Kathak took shape as a new style," reminisces Manjari.

The difference

In what way is Sufi Kathak different from traditional Kathak? "Kathak was initiated and nurtured in the temple environment and was primarily used as a medium for aradhana (devotion). It has two distinct styles — the devotional temple and the exotic and dazzling Darbari Kathak. The former evolved from the ancient temples of North India to the royal courts of Avadh. Darbari Kathak, or the Court style, originated in cultural ethos of the Mughal period and was gradually transformed into a form that flourished in the Muslim courts. Also it evolved as a form of entertainment moving away from the original idea of being a medium of devotion," she reflects.

Both styles are very different from each other in terms of repertoire, the poetry and even costumes, "but they remain within the format of Kathak. Sufi Kathak is also easily distinguishable by the costume. There are now three acceptable styles in Kathak — temple, Darbari and Sufi," smiles Manjari.

Sufism and dance

"Sufi Kathak has been my work and creation since many years. There is no historical evidence for Sufi Kathak as a term. Nevertheless, there have been Sufi dances at the various Sufi shrines on special days. The great Sufi poet from Punjab, Baba Bulleh Shah, is said to have danced in excitement. It is believed that in the Sufi heritage a tradition of dance in ecstasy existed. There is definite evidence that the whirling dervishes of Turkey were well known Sufi dancers. I strongly feel that Sufi Kathak is not a mechanical dance form that anyone can learn routinely; one has to understand the nuances of the Sufi thought to be able to execute it successfully. I am training some dancers but it will take a few more years before they can dance on stage," she says.

Her attraction for Sufi Kathak began with the magnificent Sufi poetry of the 13th and 14th centuries. "Their complete surrender to the Almighty and their passion when rendered musically has the power to make the listener cry. As a choreographer I was inspired by the serenity of the followers of the Sufi saint and poet Mevlana Rumi, who are known as the whirling dervishes."

While Muzaffar Ali initiated Sufi thought in her, guru Kumudini Lakhia taught Manjari that it was not wrong to open her mind to a wider perspective and inspired her to think beyond the existing repertoire. Protima Bedi was another inspiring force but "I left Nrityagram two days after her death."

What was the response of Kathak exponents to Sufi Kathak? "Initially there was scepticism, as people did not know what to expect. Gradually when the audience began to accept it, other dancers, including senior artists, also perform Sufi items in their concerts," she smiles contentedly.

"Sufi Kathak is new, as it did not exist earlier. But its music, poetic tradition and costumes are almost 600 to 700 years old. Hence Sufi Kathak remains strongly bound to tradition; yet it is new," she affirms.

Title: Re: Dhamal (Sufi trance dance)
Post by: Jennifer- on December 31, 2008, 03:35:06 PM

http://www.manjarisufikathak.com/sufi_kathak_text.html (http://www.manjarisufikathak.com/sufi_kathak_text.html)

Title: Re: Dhamal (Sufi trance dance)
Post by: Michael on January 03, 2009, 10:13:04 PM

That's interesting of the Kathak variations - I have seen it done live and it is a dynamic style of dance.

Don't know the different versions, or the Sufi version. In the standard Indian version there is a lot of foot work, which unfortunately is often lost on the audience, as it all happens so fast and so localised to the feet.

Here are some YT clips:

This is from the film the Chess Player by Satyajit Ray (a good film I should add).

http://www.youtube.com/v/Tq-JJhUqPPg&hl=en&fs=1

These are some other kathak dance clips I found some time ago on YT:

http://www.youtube.com/v/J8SOlsyMx8Q&hl=en&fs=1

http://www.youtube.com/v/ARC4y7JecK8&hl=en&fs=1

http://www.youtube.com/v/fN9LIf7Duvw&hl=en&fs=1

http://www.youtube.com/v/DNXqUndBmzQ&hl=en&fs=1

This last one is how you would typically see Kathak performed in India