The term Lāsya , in the context of

Hindu mythology Hindu mythology is the body of myths and literature attributed to, and espoused by, the adherents of the Hindu religion, found in Hindu texts such as the Vedic literature, epics like ''Mahabharata'' and ''Ramayana'', the Puranas, and ...

, describes the dance performed by the goddess

Parvati Parvati ( sa, पार्वती, ), Uma ( sa, उमा, ) or Gauri ( sa, गौरी, ) is the Hindu goddess of power, energy, nourishment, harmony, love, beauty, devotion, and motherhood. She is a physical representation of Mahadevi i ...

as it expresses happiness and is filled with grace and beauty. She is believed to have danced the Lāsya in response to the male energy of the cosmic dance of

Tandava Tandava (also spelled as ) also known as , is a divine dance performed by Hindu god Shiva. Shiva is depicted as dancing the Tandava in his form of Nataraja. The '' Natya Shastra'', a Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts describes various ...

performed by Lord Shiva. In a literal sense, Lāsya means beauty, happiness, enchanting, and grace. Professor Inayat Khan in his book ''Munqar Musicar'' (1912) wrote: "Women and men both perform this dance and there are a number of recognized masters ( ustad) of it in India. Lasya is accompanied by two sarangi players and a tabid, and sometimes a

manjira The taal, manjira (also spelled manjīrā or manjeera), jalra, karatala, kartal or gini is a pair of clash cymbals, originating in the Indian subcontinent, which make high-pitched percussion sounds. In its simplest form, it consists of a pai ...

(small indian cymbals). It is danced by one woman, or by two together". Lāsya is an element which is graceful, delicate and expresses emotions on a gentle level. It is associated with the dance of women because Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva taught it to Usha (daughter of Sage Banasura). Then she passed on this art to women. Lāsya is mainly of four types: SHRINKALA, LATA, PINDI and BHEDYAKA.Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend () by Anna Dallapiccola

Etymology

The Indian classical music terminology talam has been etymologically derived from the union of the dances of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (Tandavam and Lasyam). The expression of happiness and joy in dance is also termed as ''Lasyam''. lt means beauty and a graceful dance.

References

{{Dance in India Hindu mythology Hindu music Dances of India