Author: Gayatri Deka
Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form originating from the southern state of Tamil Nadu in India, stands as a beacon of cultural richness and artistic expression. Often referred to as the “mother of all classical dances,” Bharatanatyam transcends regional boundaries and encapsulates the essence of India’s diverse traditions. In this exploration, we delve into the historical roots, distinctive features, and universal appeal that position Bharatanatyam as a unifying force in the world of classical dance.
Unravelling the Historical Tapestry:
To truly understand Bharatanatyam’s significance, one must journey back through the annals of history. Its origins can be traced to the ancient text “Natya Shastra,” a comprehensive treatise on the performing arts attributed to the sage Bharata Muni. While the dance evolved over centuries, it found its contemporary form in the temples of Tamil Nadu. Temple dancers, known as devadasis, played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting the art through generations.
A Dance of Divine Expression:
Bharatanatyam is more than a series of intricate movements; it’s a conduit for spiritual and emotional expression. Rooted in the idea of “bhakti” or devotion, the dance often portrays stories from Hindu mythology, celebrating the divine through intricate gestures, facial expressions, and rhythmic footwork. Each movement becomes a gesture of reverence, an offering to the cosmic dance of creation.
Distinctive Features:
Central to Bharatanatyam’s allure are its distinctive features, each contributing to the dance’s unique charm.
- Adavus (Basic Steps): The dance is characterised by a repertoire of adavus, intricate footwork patterns that form the building blocks of Bharatanatyam. These adavus, executed with precision, contribute to the dance’s rhythmic complexity.
- Mudras (Hand Gestures): Bharatanatyam employs a rich vocabulary of mudras, symbolic hand gestures that convey specific meanings. These mudras serve as a language of expression, enabling dancers to narrate intricate stories with subtlety.
- Abhinaya (Expression): A Bharatanatyam dancer is not merely a performer; they are a storyteller. Abhinaya, the expressive element of the dance, involves conveying narratives through facial expressions, eyes, and subtle movements.
- Natya Shastra Elements: The dance draws inspiration from the Natya Shastra, incorporating elements like “Rasa” (emotions) and “Bhava” (mood) to create a holistic and emotionally resonant performance.
Universal Appeal:
While deeply rooted in Indian culture, Bharatanatyam’s themes of devotion, love, and storytelling are universal. The dance has transcended geographical boundaries, captivating audiences worldwide. Its ability to convey emotions and narratives without linguistic barriers makes it a truly global art form.
Bharatanatyam as the Mother of All Classical Dances:
The title “mother of all classical dances” is not a mere accolade; it reflects Bharatanatyam’s influence on other classical dance forms. The dance has inspired and influenced various styles, contributing to the rich tapestry of India’s classical dance heritage. Its structured grammar, expressive elements, and rhythmic precision set a standard that echoes across diverse classical dance forms.
Embark on Your Bharatanatyam Journey with Natyam School of Dance
At our Bharatanatyam School in Dwarka, Delhi, we invite you to explore the profound beauty of Bharatanatyam, the mother of all classical dances. Whether you’re a novice eager to embrace the art form’s intricacies or an experienced dancer seeking to deepen your practice, our school offers a nurturing environment for all.
Private Classes:
Embark on a personalised journey with our private Bharatanatyam classes. Tailored to your individual needs, these sessions provide a focused exploration of the dance’s nuances.
Group Classes:
Join our vibrant community of dance enthusiasts in our group Bharatanatyam classes. Experience the joy of communal learning and form lasting connections with fellow students.
Online Classes:
For those passionate about Bharatanatyam beyond geographical boundaries, our online Bharatanatyam classes offer the opportunity to learn from experienced instructors. Join our virtual community and explore the timeless beauty of Bharatanatyam.
Discover the harmony in diversity that Bharatanatyam embodies. Join Natyam School of Dance and immerse yourself in the profound cultural heritage of this classical dance form.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bharatanatyam
1. Why is Bharatanatyam often called the “mother of all classical dances”?
This title is a recognition of its antiquity and its highly structured nature. Bharatanatyam’s techniques and aesthetic principles are extensively codified in the ancient Natya Shastra, a foundational text for many Indian performing arts. Its comprehensive grammar of movement, rhythm, and expression has served as a touchstone and influential model for various other classical dance forms that evolved in different regions of India.
2. What is the ‘Natya Shastra,’ and why is it so important to Bharatanatyam?
The Natya Shastra is an ancient Sanskrit text that is considered the foundational encyclopaedia for all performing arts in India. For us in Bharatanatyam, it is our most sacred guide. It meticulously details everything from the basic dance steps (adavus) and hand gestures (mudras) to the theory of aesthetic emotion (Rasa). Adhering to its principles ensures that we maintain the authenticity and spiritual depth of the art form.
3. Could you explain the difference between Adavus, Mudras, and Abhinaya for a beginner?
Certainly. I like to explain it as learning a language. The Adavus are the alphabet—the fundamental steps and rhythmic patterns that form the physical foundation. The Mudras are the vocabulary—the specific hand gestures that have distinct meanings. And Abhinaya is the poetry—the art of expression through the face, eyes, and body that weaves the steps and gestures together to tell a story and convey deep emotion.
4. Do I need to be a spiritual or religious person to learn and appreciate Bharatanatyam?
While Bharatanatyam has its roots in bhakti (devotion) and temple traditions, its appeal is universal. You do not need to adhere to any specific faith to learn or appreciate it. The “spirituality” of the dance can be experienced in its discipline, its meditative focus, and its exploration of universal human emotions like love, sorrow, and courage. It is an art form for anyone with an open heart.
5. How does Bharatanatyam influence other Indian classical dance forms?
Many Indian classical dances share a common ancestry in the principles of the Natya Shastra. Bharatanatyam is considered influential because its modern form adheres very closely to these ancient, codified rules for gestures, postures, and dramatic expression. This has provided a comprehensive and well-preserved framework that has inspired and informed the structure and expressive elements of other regional dance styles.
6. What is the difference between ‘Rasa’ and ‘Bhava’ as mentioned in the blog?
This is a beautiful and subtle concept at the heart of our art. Bhava is the emotion or state of mind that the dancer portrays on stage—for example, love (shringara) or anger (raudra). Rasa is the aesthetic flavour or emotional essence that the audience experiences as a result of the dancer’s successful portrayal of that bhava. In essence, the artist shows bhava to create rasa in the spectator.
7. Who were the ‘devadasis’ and what was their role in preserving the dance?
The devadasis were women dedicated to the service of a temple, and they were the original custodians of this dance form, which was then known as Sadir. For centuries, they preserved Bharatanatyam as a sacred ritual within temple walls. It is through their unbroken lineage of teaching and performance that the art form survived until its revival on the public stage in the 20th century.
8. How does Bharatanatyam create “harmony in diversity” as the title suggests?
The harmony works on two levels. Internally, the dance harmonises diverse elements—movement, music, rhythm, expression, and drama—into one cohesive whole. Externally, its universal themes and non-verbal storytelling bring together diverse audiences from different cultures, languages, and backgrounds, creating a shared emotional experience and fostering a sense of unity.
9. Does learning Bharatanatyam require understanding a specific language?
While the lyrics of the accompanying music are often in languages like Tamil, Telugu, or Sanskrit, understanding the language is not a prerequisite. Bharatanatyam is primarily a language of expression (Abhinaya). The story is conveyed through gestures, facial expressions, and body language, making it universally understandable and transcending linguistic barriers.
10. How does a school ensure these ancient traditions are taught authentically today?
Authenticity is paramount. At my school, we ensure this by strictly adhering to the teachings of the Guru-Shishya parampara (teacher-disciple lineage). We focus on the foundational principles laid out in the Natya Shastra and ensure that students learn not just the physical movements, but the cultural, mythological, and philosophical context that gives each step its profound meaning.
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