The
Nritta (Nrith-Ah)
Box
The Nritta Box is a game that introduces Indian Classical Dance through design-- where the audience understands a culture through simple patterns.
My exploration is the relationship between spatial elements of dance and design. There is a universality with our bodies and how we align with spaces. Design’s universality is communication and the space it occupies to build that connection.
Both forms require observation. Most importantly, there is a process that takes place between both forms.
Though dance and design are both forms of communication--as a designer, my goal is to bring the aspect of the fourth dimension to a two-dimensional plane. Using elements of design, I wanted to create a language of dance and create a space where the audience can break down dance into design.
Noting that design and dance are very similar, design can be used to dance and dance can be used for design. Through the principles of design, I created notations and came up with a system where dance can be designed and vice versa.
design can be danced &
dance can be designed.
Posters I designed that include my initial research and notes on Indian Classical Dance.
Identity
Before I designed the game, I created a brand identity for the game. Indian Classical Dance is performed at temples wearing traditional clothing and jewelry.
Using the jewelry as inspiration, I illustrated them into motifs.
Chandra / Moon
Surya / Sun
Chandra is ‘moon’, which is worn on the left side of the head and the Surya is ‘sun’ which is worn on the right. They represent the God of Dance, Lord Nataraja wearing the moon and stars as jewelry as told in dance scriptures.
Symbolism of Sun and Moon:
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Aesthetics
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To display qualities a dancer should and may have e.g. wisdom
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To help a dancer connect with Gods and Goddesses
The design elements and shapes used in the game come from elements within these illustrations.
The Game
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Each level has 1 "Info Card". Before playing, each player is encouraged to read it to get an introduction of Indian Classical Dance and what they are about to learn.
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Each player holds "The Legend" card at all times.
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Each player then picks a "Read Me" card to begin dancing!
The patters on the card represent a rhythmic cycle in Indian Classical Dance. Using the Legend card, players dance the design. For example, in this pattern:
Circle: Tha - strike left foot
Diamond: Ki - strike your left toes lifting your heel up
Semi-circle: Ta - strike left foot
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While playing the "Read Me" cards, there are "Action Cards" to play the same step in a different way. For example, while players are playing "Tishram", they will pick an action card to play that pattern with a twist!
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Players can learn different Indian Classical Dance poses with the "Strike a pose" card
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Now you can call yourself an Indian Classical Dancer!
