| Bharatanatyam (also spelled Bharathanatyam, Bharatnatyam
or Bharata Natyam) is a classical dance form originating from Tamil
Nadu, a state in Southern India. It owes its current name to Krishna
Iyer and later, Rukmini Devi Arundale. "The word Bharata, interpreted
as the dance form created by sage Bharata, has within it the essence
and uniqueness associated with Bharatanatyam:Bha for Bhava or abhinaya
and expression, Ra for raga or melody, and Ta for tala or rhythm."
Bharata refers to the author of the Natya Shastra, and natya is
Sanskrit for the art of sacred dance-drama brought to the stage
at the beginning of the 20th century.
Bharatanatyam, whose antiquity is well established, is the most
popular of Indian dances, which said to be originated in Thanjavoor
(Tanjore) of Tamil Nadu. Bharatanatyam is a purest form of classical
dance
These three concepts comes into play in Bharatnatayam Bhava, Raga
and Thaala.
Bharata Natyam dance has been handed down through the centuries
by dance teachers (or gurus) called nattuwanars and the temple dancers,
called devadasis. In the sacred environment of the temple these
familes developed and propagated their heritage.
The training traditionally took around seven years under the direction
of the nattuwanar who were scholars and persons of great learning.
The four great nattuwanars of Tanjore were known as the Tanjore
Quartet and were brothers named Chinnaiah, Ponnaiah, Vadivelu and
Shivanandam. The Bharata Natyam repertiore as we know it today was
constructed by this talented Tanjore Quartet.
Bharatanatyam was again revived by activists and dancers like Rukmini
Devi and E.Krishna Iyer. Rukmini Devi started the institution "Kalakshetra"
in 1936, and since then there has been a wave of reform. Today many
recognised universities offer degrees in Bharatanatyam, and artistes
are given international recognition and honours. In Bharatnatyam
rhythm and enactment go hand in hand to create a beautiful whole.
Today there are innumerable male and female dancers all over India
and more and more are taking up performing arts as a profession.
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