The Creation of dance from faith in Hindu gods: Uma Mahesuan

Abstract

The creation of an Uma Mahesuan (female deity) dance series aimed to invent new choreography and study the form according to six elements of dance performance based on sculptures of Uma Mahesuan: script, performers, styles, music, costumes, and lighting. The creative research process was based on three concepts: Indian theism, multiculturalism, and performing arts aesthetics. Documentary data was collected by observation, interviews, and from information media for analysis, synthesis, and summary. Results presented the history of Uma Maheswara sculpture as reflecting the belief in Brahman Hindu deities and Indian cultural influence on Southeast Asian art. The dance combined characteristic Indian, Khmer, and Thai choreography to search for patterns and ideas obtained. These findings should help develop creative dance through a creative process incorporating academic study, and facilitate young audience appreciation of lore, history, and culture from different performance styles as well as esteem for dance traditions.