Bharatnatyam Classical Dance Form

Know about the mother of Indian Classical Dance. This blog will be helpful in UPSC, SSC, Railway and State Exams.

Sumita Roy Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Origin

The dance form of Bharatnatyam combines various elements of the ancient Indian Natya Shastra. Here is what the word ‘Bharatnatyam’ means and refers to:

• Bha is for Bhava, which means emotion
• Ra refers to Raaga, which means music
• Ta means Taal or rhythm
• Natyam means dance.

Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest (around 2000 years old) forms of classical dance which originated in the temples of South India, particularly, Tamil Nadu.

• Role of Devadasi: The Bharatanatyam dance has been kept alive for centuries in South Indian temples through the Devadasi tradition. Devadasis were young girls who were "gifted" by their parents to the temples and married to the gods. They performed music and dance as offerings to the deities in the temple courtyards. It was also known as Dasiattam.
• Associated Literature: The origin of the Bharatanatyam dance can be traced to the sage Bharata Muni’s Natyashastra.
• Abhinaya Darpana: It was written by Nandikesvara around the 4th — 5th century BCE. Abhinaya Darpana is the main source that helps in the study of the technique and grammar of body movement in Bharatnatyam Dance.
• Sangam works like Silappatikaram and Manimekalai also contain traces of the Bharatnatyam Dance.

Key Features

Bharatanatyam dance is made up of three crucial elements -
— Nritta (pure rhythmic aspect),
— Natya (playful aspects such as hand gestures and facial expressions), and — Nritya (a combination of rhythmic dance and dramatic expression of emotion).

• Bharatanatyam Classical Dance was originally performed exclusively by female temple dancers but now both men and women perform Bharatanatyam Dance.
• In Bharatanatyam, rich make-up and bright ornaments are used, which accentuate the facial expressions and gestures of the performers.
• Ekaharya: Bharatanatyam is also known to be Ekaharya, where one dancer takes on many roles in a single performance.
• Hastas or Mudras: They are the Gestures used in Bharatanatyam Dance.
• Karanas: They are the poses that are used in the Bharatanatyam Dance.
• Proponents of the Bharatanatyam dance: Few contemporary Bharatnatyam Artists include- Mrinalini Sarabhai, Shobhana, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Padma Subrahmanyam, etc.
• Use of Classical Carnatic Music: Carnatic music accompanied by instruments such as flute, violin and the Mridangam are used in the Bharatnatyam dance.

Bharatanatyam Sequence

The traditional Bharatanatyam performance is divided into seven or eight sequences. Together, this sequence is referred to as Margam. The eight sequences of Bharatnatyam are as follows.

1. Pushpanjali: It is the first sequence of Bharatnatyam and is a symbol of respect. The performer in this dance presents flowers and salutations to the Hindu deities, the master, and the audience.
2. Alarippu: It is a preparatory warm-up to the Bharatnatyam dance without music, allowing the dancer to release their energy and move while avoiding distractions and with single-minded attention.
3. Jatiswaram: In this section, the Bharatnatyam steps get increasingly intricate. While not yet transmitting any message, the dancers execute extremely skilful and trained postures.
4. Shabdam: In this part of the Bharatnatyam performance, the solo dancer, vocalists, and musical team offer brief compositions with words and meanings in a variety of moods.
5. Varnam: It is the longest section of Bharatnatyam that typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour. It is the core sequence of the performance where the dancer performs complicated moves depicting beauty and brilliance in a spiritual context.
6. Padam: This Bharatnatyam sequence focuses on the abhinaya, where a spiritual message or devotional religious prayer is expressed.
7. Tillana: It is a part of Nritta that combines beautiful moves with sculpture-like poses. This section of Bharatnatyam usually concludes with a fast-paced beat that charms the audience.
8. Shlokam or Mangalam: The seventh and final piece of the Bharatnatyam sequence is called a Shlokam or a Mangalam. The performers wish for blessings for everyone in the room.