BHARATANATYAM

The dance form of Bharatanatyam is rooted in history that reaches back about two millennia. It integrates elements from music, theater, poetry, literature and sculpture. Considered to be of divine origin, it is a living tradition. Many of its stances can be traced to the temples found in South of India as well as South East Asia. Although rich in physical vocabulary, rhythms and gestures, its essence lies beyond all these tools. It is a path in which, through the communication of the narrative and portrayal of various characters and emotions, one journeys into oneself in spirituality. It has been revered, absorbed, morphed, been banned, assimilated, contemporized, fused, jazzed up with scintillating lights, and studio mixes. Despite all this, it is its essence that makes this dance form versatile to convey traditional themes and contemporary ideas and timeless as a path or Margam for the journey into the Self. The name Bharatanatyam encompasses three concepts: Bhavam (expression), Ragam (melody), and Talam (rhythm). These concepts are infused together to create Nritta, Nritya, and Natyam. Nritta is a technical performance where the dancer presents pure Bharatanatyam movements. In Nritya, the dancer communicates to the audience through many expressive gestures. Natyam is performed by maintaining specific body movements for certain characters and through dance acting. Bharatanatyam is a spiritual elevation for both the dancer and the audience.