Bharatanatyam Dance Form

Bharatanatyam

Is a classical dance form originating from Tamil Nadu, a state in Southern India. This popular Tamil dance form called Bharatanatyam is a 20th century reconstruction of Sathir, the art of temple dancers. Sadir was performed by the devadasis in the temple during the variuos rituals and functions celebrated at the temple.Later this same dance form used to be performed to please the kings in the courts.Then the Tanjore quartet around 1683 gave the present repertoire of Bharatanatyam recital.Sometimes the word Bharatanatyam is also given a folk etymology as follows:Bha for Bhava or abhinaya and expression, Ra for raga or melody, and Ta for tala or rhythm. As in the folk etymology goes bharatanatyam is a presentation of bhava that is done in unison with music and rhthyms.

The earliest existing literature on performing arts like dance, music and drama is called "Natyasastra". It is speculated that Sage Bharata wrote this literature around 500 B.C. Bharatanatyam and other Indian classical dance forms completely follow this literature.

The very distinctive musical form and Expression (both facial and through the body) or "Abhinaya" along with excellence in Nrithya or Dance and Tala or Rhythm give Bharatanatyam its unique character. The music is traditional Carnatic music and is mostly Geetha or Vocal music. Usually the singer is accompanied by musicians playing on a variety of instruments like the Violin, Mridangam and so on. The conductor of the recital or the Nattuvanar plays a very important role by performing the Nattuvangam with the cymbals called "Talam". The nattuvanar who is very often the teacher also recites the sollukattus or rhythmic syllables which are interspersed between musical phrases.

As far the dance is concerned, the main posture is called "Araimandi" or "Mandala Sthana". This is a position in which the knees are bent and turned to their sides. In this position, the thighs should be four spans from the ground and the maximum distance between the feet should be a span. The basic dance movements are called "Adavus" and are performed in Araimandi. The body should maintain a very upright posture with a good "Saushtava" or a straight back without hunch. The elbows when raised are always expected to be in line with the shoulders, which should neither be raised nor drooped. The hands should be always kept a span away from the chest. "Anga Shuddam" or perfection in symmetry of the body is very important in this dance form.

Bharatanatyam is usually performed in medium tempo. Though many Hastas or "Hand Gestures" are used to bring out the meaning of the words sung of the story, facial expressions are very important in bringing out the mood of the story and also being a effecient story teller. Colorful costumes and gold or golden ornaments with precious stones are very typical of this style which are worn during performances.

Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam's style is known as "Bharatanrityam" due to the incorporation of the 108 "Karanas" into the dance style. After extensive research, Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam theorized that the Karanas as depicted on temple facades were not merely static postures but were actually complete movements. What we see on the temple facades are more like photographs capturing each Karana at a particular point of time.

	Nrityavidyalaya - Bharatanrityam Dance School
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