Tandav Nritya is a powerful and energetic dance performed by Lord Shiv, who is amongst the supreme trinity of gods in the Hindu pantheon. Shiv is also known as Nataraj, meaning “Lord of Dance.” The Tandav dance shows the continuous cycle of the universe—how it is created, preserved, and destroyed. It is full of strength, energy, and emotions like anger, and courage, and is usually considered a masculine dance form.
The name Tandav is believed to come from Tandu, a follower (gan) of Lord Shiv. It is said that Lord Shiv taught this dance to Tandu, and Tandu then passed on the knowledge of this dance to the people. Because of this, the dance came to be known as Tandav.
Tandav is not just a dance—it is a symbol of divine energy and spiritual power. It includes fast movements, strong footwork, bold expressions, and rhythmic beats. While Tandav represents force and passion, the softer dance form Lasya—performed by his consort, Goddess Parvati—shows grace and beauty.
There are different types of Tandav, such as Anand Tandav (Dance of Bliss) and Rudr Tandav (Dance of Destruction), Gauri Tandav (Expression of Love) each showing a different side of Shiva’s power. Interestingly, a form of Tandav is also seen in the story of Lord Krishn. When he fought the poisonous serpent Kalia Naag and danced on its many hoods to subdue it, that powerful dance is also referred to as Krishn Tandav.
JAIPUR GHARANA AND TANDAV
The Jaipur Gharana is a well-known style of Kathak dance that is strongly influenced by the Tandav tradition. This gharana is famous for its strong footwork, fast spins, and energetic movements, which are similar to the dance of Lord Shiv.
The founder of the Jaipur Gharana, Bhanu Ji, was a devoted follower of Lord Shiv. According to stories, Bhanu Ji either saw Shiv’s Tandav in a dream or was taught by a mysterious saint who appeared only once and asked him to share this sacred dance with others. Inspired by this, Bhanu Ji started teaching the dance, and the Jaipur Gharana was born.
"This dance style places greater emphasis on the vigorous and powerful elements of Tandav rather than the gentle grace of Lasya. The Jaipur Gharana’s movements, postures, and rhythmic patterns embody the dynamic energy and spiritual essence of Shiv’s Tandav."
Every Indian classical dance form includes both Tandav and Lasya. These two elements balance each other—strength with grace, energy with softness. It is just the emphasis that differs from one style to another.