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BHARATANATYAM
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Of the various forms of classical
dance in India, Bharata Natyam is believed to be the oldest, because it
is the form which is based to the largest extent, on ancient texts on the
dance. For centuries it was danced by Devadasis in the temples of south
India. Movement, mime and music contribute in equal measure to this beautiful
dance from Tamil Nadu. It is a solo, dance which is devotioal in
spirit. Highly stylised and sophisticated in its technique, Bharata Natyam
is evenly divided between nritta, pure dance, and nritya, expressinal compositions. |
The songs pertain mostly
to the theme of love but not sensual love. These are given an elevated
and somewhat spiritual flavour.
A Bharata Natyam performance begins
with alarippu, an invocatory number which is structured to give the effect
of the body unfolding itself by degrees, as if in offering to God.
The dancer begins with a sidelong glance, executes a lateral glide
of the neck, and then fans the movement out to each part of the body. As
she showers alternately silken and steely blows in space, in strict rhythm
with the drum, the mridamgam, and the syllables sung by the nattuvanar,
the conductor, the feet adorned with ankle bells change scores of
rhythmic patterns.
The dancer's skill at both pure
dance, seen elsewhere in items like jatiwaram and tillana and in mime
compositions like shabdam and padam, finds its acme in varnam. This is
the central piece of a Bharata Natyam recital and makes the greatest demands
on the dancer's stamina and emotinal resources. |
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