GO 4 INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE: Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam is a classical Indian dance form originating in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Bharatanatyam, as the name depicts is the combination of:

'Bha' - Bhavam (means expression), 'Ra' - Ragam (means music), 'Ta - Talam (means beat or rhythm) and Natyam (means dance) in Tamil.

Natya or Dance is one of the main branch of Fine Arts. Bharata natyam is also one of the most popular dance form and it is a way of worshipping the lord. It can be considered as a combination of mythological, historical, cultural and sociological heritage and traditionally passed on to posterity. Dance in any form gives lot of happiness to the performer as well as the audience who enjoy it with involvement. It is accepted universally as a major performing art form which has music , rhythm, expressions and emotions.

“ Natya Sastra “ was written by the sage Bharatha Muni about 2000 years ago. Bharat Natyam incorporates most of the rules specified in the Natya Sastra.

Hence the name “Bharat Natyam”. It is one of the oldest form of dance and it is proven that it has therapeutically lot of benefits to the human body. Each movement in Bharat natyam is well defined and gives benefits to the system.

Bharata Natyam has an important place in our Indian culture. Bharat Natyam incorporates major three forms of arts in it. The Nataka, Natya and Sangeetha.

What we call as Iyal, Isai and Natakam. The Natya Sastra explains various aspects of theatrical arts, dance, drama and music. Bhatat Natyam equllay involves dance and music. Over the period of time Bharat Natyam has evolved and has taken various interesting improvisations and creative additions to it by many eminent artists, who have contributed their life time for this wonderful art.

The main three aspects of Bharatanatyam are: Nritta, Nritya and Natya.

Nritta is rhythmical.
Natya is the dramatic art, and is a language of gestures, poses and mime
Nritya is a combination of Nritta and Natya .