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Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Asia Culture Center

The Sanctum of South Asian Dance: Liminal Space

At Hindu temples in India, there is a sanctum for dance that crosses the boundaries between the human and the divine, the sacred and the secular. This exhibition surveys the traditional dance culture of South Asia through the dance ruins of Hindu temples, the god of dance “Shiva,” and the dance scripture “Natya Shastra.”

The Sanctum of South Asian Dance: Liminal Space
  • Date2024. 5. 17.(FRI) ~ 7.21.(SUN)
  • Time(TUE–SUN) 10:00–18:00
    (WED, SAT) 10:00–20:00
    * Closed every Monday
  • PlaceSpecial Exhibition Hall 2
  • Age LimitAll ages
  • Price Free
  • TicketNonguided exhibition
  • Contact+82-1899-5566

Introduction
The Sanctum of South Asian Dance: Liminal Space
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The Asian Culture Museum’s special exhibition, “The Sanctum of South Asian Dance: Liminal Space,” was prepared to look at the traditional dance of South Asia through the dance ruins of Hindu temples.

A Hindu temple is called a mandir in Hindi, a place where gods reside during their stay in the human world. It is the seat of the gods and symbolizes their bodies. The temple served as the center of religion, philosophy, economy, and art of the time. Hindu temples have a mandapa, a pillared hall, where people worship and seek unity with the gods. This also served as a performance hall. In Hindu culture, dance is the highest form of offering to the gods, to the extent that there is a separate space called Nata Mandir dedicated to presenting dance performances.

This exhibition examines Hindu temples, which are sanctums of South Asian dance. It also introduces “Shiva,” revered as the god of dance in Hindu culture, and “Natya Shastra,” the scripture that forms the basis of South Asian traditional dance. We hope you will experience the profound world of South Asian traditional dance in this sanctum that crosses the boundaries between the human and the divine, the sacred and the secular.

Exhibition Contents
The Sanctum of Dance: Dance Ruins in Hindu Temples
Hindu temples are dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva, and there are many cases where their images are carved into the temple architecture. In addition, the content of the ancient Indian Hindu epics “Ramayana” and “Mahabharata” is reproduced in relief sculptures.

Panoramic View of Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, assumed to have been built in the 7th century, is a place where Virupaksha, an incarnation of Shiva, is worshiped as the main deity.

Vitthala Temple, Hampi
Vitthala Temple, Hampi

The central space of the Vitthala Temple in Hampi, where Vishnu is the main deity, is the dancing hall.

Ramachandra Temple, Hampi
Ramachandra Temple, Hampi

The Ramachandra Temple in Hampi is dedicated to Rama and has 1,000 paneled walls depicting scenes from the “Ramanaya.”

  • Dancing Krishna
  • Vishnu Relief
  • Pampapathi and Virupaksha on the Ceiling Murals at Mandapas
  • Dancing Figure Relief
  • Musical Instrument Columns in Dancing Halls
Principles Governing South Asian Dance: Shiva and “Natya Shastra”
The Sanctum of South Asian Dance: Liminal Space
Another name for the dancing Shiva is Nataraja (King of Dance). Hindus believe that because Shiva dances, the universe works, and rhythmic order is created from chaos.

“Natya Shastra” contains everything about performance, from various theories and techniques of performing arts, including the origins of performance, acting and dramaturgy, physical movements and expressions, singing and musical instruments, makeup and costumes, and aesthetics, to even the role of the audience and the construction of the performance hall. Indian classical dance is handed down based on the dance principles recorded in “Natya Shastra.”
  • Nataraja, the Incarnation of Shiva and the King of Dance (Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, 1951)
  • “Natya Shastra” Collection at the Museum of Literature and Indian Art
Topographical Map of South Asian Dance
The Sanctum of South Asian Dance: Liminal Space
South Asia is the region where the Indus Civilization developed, centered around the Indus River and spanning India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. To the extent that the Indus Civilization is identified with India’s ancient history and culture, India’s religion, customs, philosophy, art, and language have had a significant influence on the culture of South Asia. Likewise, in the field of dance, the influence of traditional dances and “Natya Shastra” spread from India and can be seen throughout South Asia.
  • 01 “Bharatanatyam” is a classical dance that embodies its principles most perfectly.
  • 02 “Kathak” is a classical dance with many spin movements influenced by Islamic culture.
  • 03 “Kathakali” is a dance drama that recreates the Hindu epics “Ramayana” and “Mahabharata.”
  • 04 “Kandyan Dance” of Sri Lanka
  • 05 “Kalikach” of Bangladesh
  • 06 “Lakhe” of Nepal
Place Info.

ACC Archive&Research, Special Exhibition Hall 2

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38 Munhwajeondang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61485, Republic of Korea

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