While Classical Dance is more about Divine Consciousness (Conscious + Unconscious) ; Folk Dance focuses only on the SHADOW (Animals Instincts - The Unconscious Mind).
Folk dance is often called the "Dance of Illusion" because its performers have perfected the art of creating captivating illusions, skillfully blurring the lines between reality and Illusion.
Let's begin our exploration with the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.
On the lush, verdant Malabar Coast of Kerala, there is a mesmerizing folk dance that has captivated people across the globe for centuries—Theyyam. This ancient tribal folk dance is not merely a performance; it is a vibrant tapestry of reality and illusion.
Imagine the scene: a performer, adorned in elaborate costumes and face paint, seems to dance with the very essence of fire. Sparks appear to fly around him, and his movements evoke the sensation of dancing on flames. But here’s the twist—no one is actually dancing on fire. Instead, the magic lies in the art of visual illusion, a phenomenon that can trick the mind into experiencing something that isn't literally happening.
To understand this, let's delve into the concept of visual illusion. Picture a magician tossing a ball into the air. With each toss, your brain is led to believe the ball is continuously in motion. But if, at some point, the magician keeps the ball hidden in his hand, your mind’s neural network continues to predict the ball’s trajectory. You see the illusion of the ball soaring, even though it never leaves the magician’s grasp. This is the essence of visual illusion—your brain makes educated guesses based on visual cues, creating an ILLUSION that might not entirely align with what is physically happening in the REALITY.
In the same vein, Theyyam employs a sophisticated form of this illusion. The performers, through their skillful movements and dramatic costumes, create an experience that transcends reality. The audience is drawn into a world where the lines between the actual and the imagined blur, making them believe they are witnessing the supernatural.
The Animal Consciousness turns into something DIVINE.
As you watch Theyyam, remember that you’re not just witnessing a dance; you’re experiencing a carefully crafted illusion that highlights the extraordinary ways our minds interpret the world. It’s a celebration of tradition and a testament to the power of the human brain to create wonders beyond the physical realm.
The Folk Dance dance serves as a reminder that, given our shared animal ancestry, each of us may project our primal animal instincts and shadow aspects onto others, shaping how we interpret the world. The Brain works on Neural Network - With all the past data (Including Animal Data) that is within the Unconscious.
The Question is - Are we in control and aware of our Animal Consciousness ? The Shadow ?
Carl Jung referred to our primal animal instincts as the "Shadow"
And we project our shadow onto others.
If we can revere animals, what’s wrong with honouring our animal instincts? You see, I recognized the divine in the storyteller — My primal animal instincts doesn't transform me into a boar but rather reveals a deeper divine connection. There is a Divine Protection !
Allow me to introduce you to another folk song in Tamil. It speaks of Varaha Nadi, a river in Tamil Nadu that was created by Lord Vishnu for animals, particularly boars, which is why it is named Varaha Nadi.
In the second paragraph of the song, the male character mentions that he exists in the shadow of the feminine as a protector. Animal Instincts does not make her a Boar. This suggests that recognizing and understanding our "shadow" can be a source of protection. Conversely, failing to do so may lead to unconscious harassment.
Natya Veda is the fifth Veda created by Lord Brahma for those who could NOT understand the first four Vedas !
Another Folk Dance !
My feet will dance ceaselessly until the divine presence of Lord Nataraja—embodying the primal essence of animal consciousness—emerges victorious! Everything crafted by Lord Shiva is inherently pure, including animals. Only creations born of human hands carry the taint of impurity.
Ego ; Jealously ; Material Desires which are not created by God are the only things that are IMPURE.
Meanwhile I started my Dance Practice back again this weekend !
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