GANESHA THE DEITY OF ALL ARTS

Ganesha is recognised as the god that helps in accomplishmeny of work, He is also the deity of 64 art forms and 64 streams of knowledge. All artistes are inspired by Ganesha and depict His images in numerous forms. It is very intersting to see that the myth of Ganesha's birth is also concerned with form. Perhaps, among the prominent deities he is the only deity who is created externally by His mother Parvati. Later, He is beheaded by Shiva and also reformed by Him. The regained form is unique having elephant's head on human body. A form that combines animal and human together to create a God who has a significant place in the pantheon of Hindu deities. 

It is mentioned by many scholars that initially Ganesha was not regarded as a benevolent god, but was considered as the one who creates obstruction. Thus, He was given the offerings before other gods. Gradually He became known as 'Vighnaharta'. In course of time at some juncture, Ganesha was attributed with the art forms including music and dancing. After Shiva the Nataraja and Krishna the Natavar Ganesha is recognised as the God of all arts. There are various images and idols of Ganesha which show Him playing musical instruments, and dancing. This is very interesting that though dance was the domain of female dancers - apsaras, the Gods of dance and theatrical arts are prominently male gods! 

The popularity of Ganesha is evident in the innumerous depictions of His form in temple sculptures, paintings, musical compositions, dance and drama. As a prime deity Ganesha is paid obeisance before a theatrical presentation. This was also a practice in Kathak performances in olden days. The Kathakas of Jaipur gharana began with Ganesh vandana and then proceeded to the tala presentation. It is said that the renowned Kathak dancer Shri Hanuman Prasad ji used to create an image of Ganesha by his feet while dancing a Ganesh paran on gulal. There are beautiful kavitts technically known as Ganesh parans describing Ganesha. These are still danced in Kathak repertoire. Many musical compositions in praise of Ganesha are danced as vandana in contemporary Kathak recitals. Even during the medieval period, the Kathakas in courts have created beautiful Ganesh parans which have a blend of different 

dialects which were in practice in those times. 

Under the sway of vaishnavism since medieval period the Kathakas primarily depicted Krishna lore. The various Puranas added to the corpus of Krishna tales that became the major content of storytelling in Kathak till today. Ganesha remained as the prime deity to be worshipped in the begining of performance and as a dancing deity in Ganesh parans.