Form aspires to be one with the formless, motion aspires to be one with the motionless, and the dancing individual aspires to be one with the cosmos’ endless dance.
Unveiling the Elegance: Tamil Nadu temples are the rich heritage of Bharatanatyam, the pinnacle of Indian classical dance. Exploring the Origins:
Bharatanatyam, a paramount Indian classical dance style, stands as the progenitor of various other classical dance forms in the country. Originally, this dance style appeared in the sanctuaries of Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu. Over time, it evolved and reached its pinnacle as a solo performance that featured only women, thereby becoming a symbol of grace, devotion, and artistic refinement.
Tracing Roots: The Theoretical Tapestry in ‘Natya Shastra’
The theoretical underpinnings of Bharatanatyam find their roots in the ancient Sanskrit Hindu treatise, Natya Shastra. This ancient literature details the intricacies of the performing arts, including Nrita, Nritya, and Natya. Dancers depict Hindu religious and spiritual concepts with fascinating footwork and expressive gestures, making dance a powerful form of devotion and storytelling.
Alapadam: This represents the full opened lotus
Harmony in Performance: Collaborative Ensemble of Artistry
At the core of Bharatanatyam’s allure lies not only the dancer but also the symbiotic accompaniment of a vocalist, music, and a pivotal guru overseeing the performance. This collaborative ensemble ensures a mesmerizing presentation that captivates audiences with its grace and artistic finesse.
Sarpasirsham: This mudra is used to denote a snakes hood, sandal paste, siower, sprinkling
water
Crafting Myths in Stone: The Impact of Temple Reliefs
Bharatanatyam takes influence from the vibrant temple sculptures that date from the sixth to the ninth centuries CE.These sculptures recount ‘bha’ (emotion), ‘ra’ (melody), and ‘ta’ (rhythm) by capturing their essence. Additionally, it becomes a dancing technique that blends rhythm, melody, and passion.
Alapadama & Aralam: Alapadama represents lotus and aralam is used to represent the action of drinking, violent wind.
The Mythical Genesis: Lord Brahma’s Divine Revelation
According to legend, Lord Brahma gave the sage Bharata the gift of the celestial art form known as Bharatanatyam. This supernatural revelation resulted in the dancing form being codified in the Natya Shastra, an extensive compilation of thousands of poems arranged into chapters.
Trisoolam & Shikaram: This represents spear and aromour.
Art Exposed: “Nrit,” “Nritya,” and the Relationship with Silappatikaram
The book divides dance into two categories: “nrita,” or pure dance with elegant hand gestures, and “nritya,” or solo expressive dance with a wealth of emotions. Bharatanatyam’s cultural significance is cemented when it is expressly referenced in Tamil literature’s second-century epic, Silappatikaram.
Mrugshirsha: This represents a deer’s head
Stone Carving: The Development of Bharatanatyam
By the middle of the first century CE, intricate temple decorations showed how Bharatanatyam had progressed. Silappatikaram’s “Art and Culture Photograph” includes a chapter on Bharatanatyam, demonstrating its rising popularity. Together, these artistic and literary references highlight the enduring significance of Bharatanatyam in India’s cultural heritage.
Alapadama & Simhamukham: Represents lion face and
lotus.
Copyrights:
All the photos and text in this post are copyright of Abiraj M.,Tamil Nadu Creative Hut Institute of Photography and Film.Their reproduction, full or part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.