BHARATHANATYAM is a dance form originating in the Southern Part of India, Tamil Nadu. This dance form commands the intricacies of science and infuses great creativity and depth while uplifting the dance form to be one of the most ancient and a great classical art form. Bharathanatyam has shaped out to be the culture and tradition of India. Culture is what distinguishes different people around the world. This includes languages, religion, festivals, dance, music and other performing arts. These constitute a country's heritage and culture. In Bharathanatyam, dance and music essentially form Indian Culture.

 

Bharathanatyam is scientifically formulated where equal and correct emphasis is given to the different aspects of the dance. The different aspects of Bharathanatyam are Bhaava/ Expression, Raaga/Music/Melody, Taala/Rhythm. These put together form his dance where mathematical calculations are correctly formed to the Rhythm

 

Bharathanatyam compositions are mostly based on Gods and Goddesses of Hindu religion. However, this dance form can also be handled for social themes or telling any kind of storyline. This indeed the versatility of the art form.

 

Bharathanatyam is also known as the fifth veda. India is the land of four veda's, puranas, ithihas and so many religious treatisis. Veda's are the immemorial. Dance originated from all four veda's. The puranas have it that Lord Shiva danced 16 varieties of cosmic dance and from his Damaroo, or the drum, Kinkini flowed the grammar and nuances of the art form which Lord Brahma imbibed. Lord Brahma took the compositions of Rig Veda and expressions of Yajur veda , music from Sama veda and rasa from Atharva veda and synthesized them with dance to form he Shastra or rules. Nandikeswara was inspired by this and passed this knowledge to Bharatha Muni. Bharatha Muni transcripted this and presented it to Lord Shiva. He felt this dance form could be best rendered by females in order to bring grace and lasya. So, his consort, Goddess Parvathi gave this rasa by dancing. It can be interpreted as Lord Shiva gave the nritta and Goddess Parvathi gave the lasya and together dance was born.

 

Nritta, Nrithya and Natya form the art form. Nritta is pure mathematical calculations that are set to musical notes. it consists of footwork and moments on the limbs, neck, head and so on. This conforms to the beat or Tala of the drum. Nritta doesn’t convey any meaning, it is performed to the utterance of Jathis, korvais, theermanams and so on. Nrithya places importance on Abhinaya and expressions, this conveys meaning and expalins the storyline. The combination of Abhinaya and Nritta is called Nrithiya. Natya is a dance form which combines Nritta, Nrithiya and dialogues (words spoken). These three together form Bharathanatyam.

Bharathanatyam, as an art form was developed 3000 years ago. Its theory and practice have been systematized and passed on from generations to generations by esteemed Guru's. It is Indian culture to give immense respect to Guru/Teacher of any discipline and to the elders as a way of paying respect to their knowledge and experience.