Love Interpreted

It is that time of the year when old love is celebrated, and new love flourishes through the magic of emotion. While the feeling of being loved is in the air, we decided to take a trip through Indian Classical Art and the various interpretations of love. From divine love to romantic love, from unrequited love to selfless love, our art forms have explored the many facets of love.

The Carnatic music system is a vital place to begin this exploration. While love has been a central theme, the sort of romantic love that is synonymous to our interpretations of love took center stage with the advent of Bharatanatyam. Compositions created for dance explored a variety of human themes and instances, rather than the usual monotony of Bhakti Sangeetham. Padams and Javalis slowly began to gain popular attention, and soon became a staple at concerts. Padams are slow, lyrical pieces that focus on the emotions and experiences of love, often expressing the longing and pain of unrequited love. Javalis, on the other hand, are fast-paced, playful pieces that depict the joys and flirtations of romantic love. These compositions touch the nerve when it comes to love through their compositional structure and lyrical excellence.

While love helped to widen the horizons of the themes presented, until the late 2000s, performances predominantly followed traditional themes rooted in mythological accounts and historical evidence. With the turn of the century, however, the interpretation onstage changed. Abstraction was now being accommodated within the rigidity of classical music and dance, allowing for a wider canvas filled in emotions. Love was no longer just about the nayika yearning and pining for the nayaka. As mass media and television began to populate audiences’ lives, the ripples of globalization were also felt on art and its understanding.

Compositions of traditional birth are rethought and reworked to suit the changing modern times. In contemporary times, Indian performing arts have also explored more nuanced and complex expressions of love. For example, modern dance productions often delve into themes such as heartbreak, unrequited love, and love in the LGBTQ+ community. In music, contemporary Indian musicians have also composed and performed songs that explore different facets of love and relationships, often incorporating Western musical styles and influences.

Art is constantly evolving. While the themes and interpretations around love may change in the times to come, human emotions are irreplaceable. Art and love will both live longer on the face of the earth, despite the advancement in technological growth and AI. Chat GPT can write your letter of love, but does it know your heart? Here's to love and more.

Akshath Ram

Writer & Spoken Word Artist