Padhant

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Padhant in Hindustani classical music or Indian classical dance refers to the recitation of rhythmic syllables, known as bol, during a performance. [1] The term is derived from the Hindi word padhna, meaning "to read, study or recite". [2] Padhant is closely associated with the percussion instrument tabla and the classical dance Kathak, and the recitation of rhythmic patterns before playing them is considered an art in itself. [3] The dancer in Kathak would pause at intervals to recite the rhythms before executing them through dance. [3] The recitation is often accompanied by hand gestures. [4] The recited syllables are also used in storytelling, creating an atmosphere or inducing a mood in the audience; for example, in a performance of Kalidasa's Meghaduta (Cloud Messenger), the sounds ghe-ghe-thi-ta can signify a rumble of clouds or, its expanded version, the arrival of clouds. [5] In Carnatic music, a similar concept is called konnakol. [5]

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References

  1. "UCLA Journal of Dance Ethnology". UCLA Department of Dance. August 18, 1994 via Google Books.
  2. Ranade, Ashok Damodar (August 18, 2006). Music Contexts: A Concise Dictionary of Hindustani Music. Bibliophile South Asia. ISBN   9788185002637 via Google Books.
  3. 1 2 Kothari, Sunil (August 18, 1989). Kathak, Indian Classical Dance Art. Abhinav Publications. ISBN   9788170172239 via Google Books.
  4. Mishra, Vijay Shanker. ART AND SCIENCE OF PLAYING TABLA. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN   9788123021041 via Google Books.
  5. 1 2 Nathan, Archana. "In the documentary 'Vaikhari', a poetic exploration of music's language of rhythms". Scroll.in.