THE INDIAN HERITAGE
India, as we all know India is known for her tradition, culture and art forms. In this blog I take great pride in writing about the birth of world famous dance forms in India.
“DANCE”-THE ART OF EXPRESSION
First of all “What does one mean by the word DANCE?” According to me dance is a way of expressing joy and ecstasy in one of the most marvelous forms. Anyone who is willing to leave their inhibitions behind and who has a heartbeat and rhythm can dance. Using body as a medium of communication, dance is one of the easiest intricately developed art forms. Dance not only serves as a mode of communication but also helps in providing mental relaxation to both the dancer and the spectator.
First of all “What does one mean by the word DANCE?” According to me dance is a way of expressing joy and ecstasy in one of the most marvelous forms. Anyone who is willing to leave their inhibitions behind and who has a heartbeat and rhythm can dance. Using body as a medium of communication, dance is one of the easiest intricately developed art forms. Dance not only serves as a mode of communication but also helps in providing mental relaxation to both the dancer and the spectator.
NATYA SASTRA
Natya Sastra is believed to have been penned by Bharata Muni during the 5th century B.C. It is a part of the Gandharva Veda which is an Upaveda of Samaveda. People also believe that Natya Satra was created by the creator Lord Brahma himself.
In this blog I would be sharing the little information that I know about Bharathanatyam.
Natya Sastra is believed to have been penned by Bharata Muni during the 5th century B.C. It is a part of the Gandharva Veda which is an Upaveda of Samaveda. People also believe that Natya Satra was created by the creator Lord Brahma himself.
In this blog I would be sharing the little information that I know about Bharathanatyam.
BHARATHANATAYAM
Bharathanatyam is thought to have created by Bharata Muni, who wrote the Natya Shastra. It is said to be originated in Thanjavoor of Tamil Nadu. It was essentially known as 'Dasiattam', since performed by Devadasis in the temples. This distinct art form with the unique elements of Nritta (rhythmic dance movements), Natya (mime, or dance with a dramatic aspect), and Nritya (combination of Nritta and Natya) expressed the artist's devotion.
Bharathanatyam is thought to have created by Bharata Muni, who wrote the Natya Shastra. It is said to be originated in Thanjavoor of Tamil Nadu. It was essentially known as 'Dasiattam', since performed by Devadasis in the temples. This distinct art form with the unique elements of Nritta (rhythmic dance movements), Natya (mime, or dance with a dramatic aspect), and Nritya (combination of Nritta and Natya) expressed the artist's devotion.
THE PRAYER
NAMASKRIYA
“Aangikam Bhuvanam Yasya Vachikam Sarva Vammayam,
Aaharyam Chandra Tharathi Tham Vande Sathvikam Shivam”.
The meaning for the above shloka is called the Namaskriya. The meaning of the above shloka is “We bow to the Sathvikam (pure) Shiva who’s Aangikam (body) is the world, whose Vaachikam (speech) is the Universal Language and who’s Aaharyam (ornaments) are the moon and the star. This shloka is usually followed by another “Aranga Devatha Stuthi”
“Aangikam Bhuvanam Yasya Vachikam Sarva Vammayam,
Aaharyam Chandra Tharathi Tham Vande Sathvikam Shivam”.
The meaning for the above shloka is called the Namaskriya. The meaning of the above shloka is “We bow to the Sathvikam (pure) Shiva who’s Aangikam (body) is the world, whose Vaachikam (speech) is the Universal Language and who’s Aaharyam (ornaments) are the moon and the star. This shloka is usually followed by another “Aranga Devatha Stuthi”
ARANGA DEVATHA STUTHI
“Bharathakula Bhaghyakalikae Baava Rasanandha Parinathekarae, Jagadika Mohanakalae, Jayajeya Rangathi Devathae Devi”.
The meaning of the shloka goes like this “She is like the bud for the art form of Dance. Through the expressions of bhaava, she gives joy. Through this art form you are able to give salvation. To you we pray for success in this endeavor.
“Bharathakula Bhaghyakalikae Baava Rasanandha Parinathekarae, Jagadika Mohanakalae, Jayajeya Rangathi Devathae Devi”.
The meaning of the shloka goes like this “She is like the bud for the art form of Dance. Through the expressions of bhaava, she gives joy. Through this art form you are able to give salvation. To you we pray for success in this endeavor.
THE THREE MAIN ELEMENTS
• Nritta (rhythmic dance movements)
• Natya (dance combined with a dramatic aspect)
• Nritya (amalgamation of Nritta and Natya)
The credit of bringing Bharatnatyam to its present form goes to the famous quartet of Chinnayya, Ponniah, Sivanandam and Vadivelu of the Tanjore Court. The various forms of the dance, like Alarippu, Jathiswaram, Sabdham, Varnam and Tillana, were also introduced by them. Even the first dance teachers of Bharatnatyam in Tanjore were the descendants of these four brothers only. With time, the devadasis of the temple turned into narthakis of the royal court and prostitution started replacing the devotion of the women. The original technique and themes of Bharatnatyam were modified to suit the new demands. The sacred connotation of the dance form was sacrificed to make it amenable to the entertainment needs of the king.
REBIRTH
The person responsible for once again raising the social status of Bharatnatyam is Krishna Iyer. He also contributed positively to the popularity of the dance form throughout the world. Another name that comes in mind in connection with this is that of Rukmini Devi Arundale. She modified the Pandanallur style of Bharathanatyam and popularized it in the West. Rukmini founded the Kalakshetra School in 1936, outside the city of Madras, in order to teach the dance form as well as to promote it. Today, Bharatnatyam has become an integral part of a girl's upbringing in Tamil Nadu.
Bharathanatyam styles that are over 150 years old are not many. The best-known among these are:
Melattur
Pandanallur
Vazhuvoor (or Vizhuvur)
Thanjavoor (or Tanjore)
Mysore
Kanchipooram
• Nritta (rhythmic dance movements)
• Natya (dance combined with a dramatic aspect)
• Nritya (amalgamation of Nritta and Natya)
The credit of bringing Bharatnatyam to its present form goes to the famous quartet of Chinnayya, Ponniah, Sivanandam and Vadivelu of the Tanjore Court. The various forms of the dance, like Alarippu, Jathiswaram, Sabdham, Varnam and Tillana, were also introduced by them. Even the first dance teachers of Bharatnatyam in Tanjore were the descendants of these four brothers only. With time, the devadasis of the temple turned into narthakis of the royal court and prostitution started replacing the devotion of the women. The original technique and themes of Bharatnatyam were modified to suit the new demands. The sacred connotation of the dance form was sacrificed to make it amenable to the entertainment needs of the king.
REBIRTH
The person responsible for once again raising the social status of Bharatnatyam is Krishna Iyer. He also contributed positively to the popularity of the dance form throughout the world. Another name that comes in mind in connection with this is that of Rukmini Devi Arundale. She modified the Pandanallur style of Bharathanatyam and popularized it in the West. Rukmini founded the Kalakshetra School in 1936, outside the city of Madras, in order to teach the dance form as well as to promote it. Today, Bharatnatyam has become an integral part of a girl's upbringing in Tamil Nadu.
Bharathanatyam styles that are over 150 years old are not many. The best-known among these are:
Melattur
Pandanallur
Vazhuvoor (or Vizhuvur)
Thanjavoor (or Tanjore)
Mysore
Kanchipooram
TECHNIQUES
The major techniques of the classical dance form of Bharatnatyam include
Abhinaya (The art of story-telling)
Nritta (Pure dance movements, usually performed as an opening)
Nritya (Combination of Abhinaya and Nritta)
A TYPICAL BHARATHANATAYAM PERFORMANCE
Ganapati Vandana (Opening prayer to the Lord Ganesha)
Alarippu (A presentation of the Tala with simple syllables by the dancer)
Jatiswaram (An abstract dance with drumbeats)
Shabdam (Dance accompanied by a devotional poem or song)
Varnam (Main performance in which dance is punctuated with complex and difficult movements. A story is told through movements)
Padam (Lyrical section where the dancer speaks)
Thillana (Pure dance with complex footwork and captivating poses
BHARATHANATAYAM COSTUME
A dance costume reflects the history and tradition of the region from where the dance has originated. Bharathanatyam, which belongs to Tamil Nadu, feature a costume made from brightly colored silk fabric containing borders made with golden colored embroidery. In olden days, a dancer used to wrap around her body a 9 yard saree. This has been replaced with a silk pyjama to enable the easy change. A v-shaped pleated cloth is attached between the legs. There is a back sheet and an upper cloth called ‘thavani’. Young girls, below the age of 15, usually wears a silk skirt instead of saree or pyjama. The hairdo is made from a single long braid decorated with flowers.
BHARATHANATAYAM JEWELLERY
Jewelry of a Bharathanatyam dancer conforms to the tradition of Indian classical dance by wearing the temple jewelry. The designs are borrowed from the ornaments worn by the temple deities. These ornaments are made of silver coated with gold. They contain artificial gems embedded into them. The ornaments consist of necklaces, ‘vanki’ armband, ‘odinayam’ (waistband), a nose stud and a ‘jhumiki’ (swinging earring). The necklaces are of two types: ‘mangalamalai’ and ‘kasumalai’. The ‘mangalamalai’ is made up of tiny mango-shaped rings linked together, while the ‘kasumalai’ is made up of coins attached together. Pure gold ornaments are avoided because of their weight.
Ganapati Vandana (Opening prayer to the Lord Ganesha)
Alarippu (A presentation of the Tala with simple syllables by the dancer)
Jatiswaram (An abstract dance with drumbeats)
Shabdam (Dance accompanied by a devotional poem or song)
Varnam (Main performance in which dance is punctuated with complex and difficult movements. A story is told through movements)
Padam (Lyrical section where the dancer speaks)
Thillana (Pure dance with complex footwork and captivating poses
BHARATHANATAYAM COSTUME
A dance costume reflects the history and tradition of the region from where the dance has originated. Bharathanatyam, which belongs to Tamil Nadu, feature a costume made from brightly colored silk fabric containing borders made with golden colored embroidery. In olden days, a dancer used to wrap around her body a 9 yard saree. This has been replaced with a silk pyjama to enable the easy change. A v-shaped pleated cloth is attached between the legs. There is a back sheet and an upper cloth called ‘thavani’. Young girls, below the age of 15, usually wears a silk skirt instead of saree or pyjama. The hairdo is made from a single long braid decorated with flowers.
BHARATHANATAYAM JEWELLERY
Jewelry of a Bharathanatyam dancer conforms to the tradition of Indian classical dance by wearing the temple jewelry. The designs are borrowed from the ornaments worn by the temple deities. These ornaments are made of silver coated with gold. They contain artificial gems embedded into them. The ornaments consist of necklaces, ‘vanki’ armband, ‘odinayam’ (waistband), a nose stud and a ‘jhumiki’ (swinging earring). The necklaces are of two types: ‘mangalamalai’ and ‘kasumalai’. The ‘mangalamalai’ is made up of tiny mango-shaped rings linked together, while the ‘kasumalai’ is made up of coins attached together. Pure gold ornaments are avoided because of their weight.
