DANCE FORM

STATE

DANCE FORM

STATE

Bharatanatyam

Tamil Nadu

Kathak

Uttar Pradesh

Kathakali

Kerala

Kuchipudi

Andhra Pradesh

Manipuri

Manipur

Mohiniyattam

Kerala

Odissi

Odisha

Sattriya

Assam

DETAILS ABOUT INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCES

INTRODUCTION
Bharatanatyam is a classical Indian dance form originating in the state of Tamil Nadu. This dance various

19th and 20th century reconstructions of Sadir, the art of temple dancers called Devadasis. Bh usually
accompanied by Carnatic music. It has its inspirations from the sculptures of the ancie Chidambaram.
Bharatanatyam, as the name depicts is the co
(means music), "Ia - Talam (means beat or rh\,,1"hlrYl
name is from Bharata Muni, who wrote
Bharatanatyam is a reworked dance-form from t
sculpturesque poses. Today, it is one of the
male and female dancers all over
d.
ESSENTIAL IDEAS

'Bha' - Bhavam (means expression),

dance} in Tamil. A possible
arathanatyam owes many for
its grace, purity, ter ed dance
styles and is

Bharatnatyam is considered
in the human body. It is one water},
Kuchipudi (element of ea
movements of an authentic Bhara

the metaphysical el
that include Odiss
(element of sky or
a dancing flame.
I feminine lines and
which is identical tc

Bharatnatyam proper is a solo

and tandava Ananda Thandavam (Ta Yang
in the Chinese culture. Bharatna universe
through the celebration of the

It consists of elaborate gestures (Mridu A

of limbs), sentiments (Rasas), ernr
(Bhavas). Actions (Kriyas) are its soul. The costume should be charmingly beautiful and love (Sr foundation. It
cannot be adequately portrayed by men.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
In ancient times it was performed as dasiattam by temple Devadasis. In fact, it is the celestial dan: who
are depicted in many scriptures dancing the heavenly version of what is known on earth as B~ During
medieval age the local kings often invited temple dancers (devadasi) to dance in their courts, th of which
created a new category of dancers -rajanarthakis-and modified the technique and th recitals. The quartet of
Chinnayya Pillai, Ponniah Pillai, Sivanandam Pillai and Vadivelu Pillai of the T, during the rule of Maratha King
Saraboji II (1798-1832), made a rich contribution to music and Bhara also completed the process of re-editing
the Bharathanatyam programme into its present shape wit items. The descendants of these four brothers
formed the original stock of Nattuvanars or dance Bharatnatyam in Tanjore.
Modern rebirth
E.Krishna Iyerwas one of those who raised the social status of Bharatnatyam and greatly popularize Devi
Arundale was also instrumental in modifying mainly the Pandanallur style of Bharatnatyam and t the attention
of the West. Rukmini Devi Arundale introduced group performances and sta, Bharatanatyam-based ballets.
Having studied Bharatnatyam for three years, in 1936 Rukmini Devi Arunc

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