Thursday, December 12, 2013

Bharata Natyam

Bharata Natyam is a very famous form of dance which has been practiced in Tamil Nadu for several centuries.  Natya Shastra was written by Bharata Muni and hence the name Bharata Natyam.  The dance has three crucial elements to it, viz., Bhaavam, Raagam and Thaalam.  The short form of these three crucial elements is coined together to get the first part of the name Bharata Natyam.  Over the years this dance form has gained lot of fame and is now practiced all over the world.

Most of the ancient sculptures in the Hindu Temples are based on the dance postures of Bharata Natyam.  Bharata Natyam as a dance form combined with Carnatic Music are together deeply grounded in Bakthi.  Dance and Music are inseparable and the Bharata Natyam Dance performance is always blended with Carnatic Music.  Bharata Natyam is an embodiment of Music in visual form.


During the Bharata Natyam performance the dancer depicts split characters and the expressions shown by the dancer and variations that is brought out gives this dance form a special dimension.  The synchronization of the dance movements with the beat of the music and simultaneous depiction of the expressions on the face is precisely what you will see in a Bharata Natyam performance.  It takes several years of learning and consistent practice for a dancer to learn this form of dance and perform on stage.


As a small boy I first saw the song in Vanjikottai vaaliban and was stunned by the performance of two great Bharata Natyam exponents, viz., Smt.Padmini and Smt.Vyjayanthimala.  Watch this dramatic, scintillating performance:



There are a large number of people who have dedicated their entire life to uphold the values and preserve the tradition of Tamil Nadu.  I am happy that these good Samaritans have kept up the tradition and in this present world of technology there are still several thousand performers of Bharata Natyam.

I congratulate and salute all the artistes who are associated with this great form of dance.  Long Live Bharata Natyam.

T.P.Anand
Dubai, U.A.E.
12.12.13