The Real Value of a Chaturanga
The Chaturanga is one of the most popular dances among students of dance. A Chaturanga also known as the dance of the gods, this is a dance performed by young boys, named as priests, to connect themselves with the divine and make a new beginning in their lives. It is considered as one of the most exciting dances performed in Kerala. Moreover, the Chaturanga is believed to be a ritual for purification and liberation.

This dance was performed in Kerala after many years as a common practice among all communities living in the state. In fact, even after many years of performing the dance, its popularity has not diminished. The dance is performed in festivals and is followed in several other occasions. The dance has been famous for over many centuries. Even the 17th century British missionaries, who came to India, brought about the first version of the dance.
In early times, the Chaturanga was performed in the presence of many young men, who were called, panchayatras. At that time, the dance was considered as a religious activity. Later on, the same dance was performed by male and female young men who were together as youths, and they were considered as the caste brothers.
There was no single guru or leader of the dance, who conducted the dance. There was no definite date when the dance was introduced into the society.
However, one can conclude that the Chaturanga was introduced to the Kerala because of the influence of Vedic traditions. The Chaturanga is believed to be quite important and is widely performed today. The dance is also associated with music, dance and magic. The dance was originally performed during the nights but today it is usually performed in the daytime.
The Chaturanga is the culmination of the total culture of Kerala. The dance is often seen as the state's way of celebrating festivals and the important moments of life. The dance represents the process of purification and new beginnings. Thus, the dance has been performed every year, at different festivals.
Generally, the dance is performed at the end of the night, in the same or specific location, where the parents of the youth are dancing. The dance, which is performed in various parts of the city, sometimes includes not only the youth but elders also. Most of the times, the dance will start with chanting and will eventually lead to performing the dance itself.
According to the tradition, these young people, who have completed their Purvakkal and Thalappilsav, have reached the divine. They believe that they have completed their basic process and are now ready to face the world as an enlightened and matured human being. Some of the occasions when the dance is performed include Holi, which is celebrated as a celebration of the end of the spring season and which involves the women in the state, in the act of flagellation with their hair in a long thread.
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