Elementary knowledge of Bharatanatyam

BHARATANATYAM

Indian culture is very close to our heart.The idol of "NATARAJA" ( LORD SHIVA ) is the symbol of Bharatanatyam.
The bronze icon of NATARAJA is unique to Tamil Nadu. The gurus of this dance are dedicated and eminent teachers of the ancient classical dance form of Bharatanatyam.
This classical dance form has the physical discipline but it also purifies innerself.The strength, power and beauty of this dance form lies in its ability to integrate the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual dimensions of man so that at its most intense level.
It has also proved to be a source of the greatest joy and fulfilment. This is also true that entirely the source of every style of dance is Folk lore and Folk movement in dance have been developed after a careful study of day to day movements of human life prevailing according to the customs and traditions of every region be it south or north.
So, no dance form is absolutely pure but gurus of different styles of dance have formulated a particular dance form by putting together, the most attractive bodily expressions and called it a particular type of dance.
Nearly seven decades have galloped . Bharatanatyam literally is BHA + RA + TA + NATYAM that is Bhava + Rasa + Taal + Natyam meaning it is a dance form combining Bhava," Nritta and Natya". The key posture of this dance form is " AYATAM" or "ARAMANDI" or the half sitting position.This requires the upper part to be erect , legs bent in half with the knees spread out and the feet positioned like half - open fan. This dance form is accompanied by the south indian music as the ( CARNATIC MUSIC ) . The drum known as ( MRIDANGAM , FLUTE , VIOLIN & NATTUVANGAM ) that is cymbals form an important musical support for the dancers performance. The costume of a Bharatanatyam dancer is made of Kanjivaram silk and draped in such a way that it opens out into a fan complimenting the ARAMANDI posture. It is accompanied by some special pieces of jewellery that we call ( Temple Jewellery ). The items in Bharatanatyam margam or repertoire consist of " ALARIPU , ANGALANGKARAM , JATISWAR , PADAM , TILLANA & JAVELI.
Prominent exponents of this dance are kumari kamala , Yamini Krishnamurthy , Sonal Mansingh , Liza Vishvesaran , Leela Samson , Malvika Surukayee and many more.
In my next article I m going to let you know more about other classical dance forms of India.Thanks

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