BHARAT NATYAM DANCE

 Bharat natyam dance form is one of the ancient dance forms of India. Its basic postures called "aadaau" had been derived from the postures of THE BOOK KAMASUTRA BY BAATSAYAN ( CHANAKYA ).

It's bending your legs in halfseat posture and stretching your hands and neck - this the dance form starts.

In South India "The Devdaasi prathaa" was predominant from the very yore.

Devdaasi performance in front of The Idol of Gods was common on those days. It was pure Bharat natyam dance that they performed. Then the kings and courtiers started to exploit those Devdaasis.But the dance form continued.

It's a very strict dance form which starts with " kudittumettu aadaaus", Ganesh Bandana, Torium mangalam, Aalaripu,Jotiswaram,Shabdam,Barnam,Padam, Tillana.These are the stages the student should cover to learn Bharat natyam dance.

Kalakhetra and Tanjore are the two most dominant styles which we follow.

Kalakhetra focus on the science of Bharat natyam dance. Its postures and angles are geometric and it balances the body.You have to tie a long thick cloth around your Lower waist.It will support your spine.

Mudra meaning hand movements one have to learn strictly to express the meaning of songs going along with dance.Bol means some rhythmic utterance without meaning.

Head movements and eye movements are very important. You have to study Abhinoy Darpan and Natyashastra very deeply. The Rhythm rules are very different of South India. It includes Saptataal and Panchajaati.

Tanjore style focuses on beauty but it's really a bit light because of not focussing on science.

It puts pressure on spine. Which in later age causes spinal cord problem.

The bols and songs in Tamil language have deeper meaning which we usually express through the dance.

In total it's a very authentic Dance form - The heritage of India.

The costume of Bharat natyam dance is also very special as you look in the picture.

You have to wear a Saree like dhoti and ornaments, specially Chandra Surya on your head. With the pranam the Ganesh bandana and Toriam mangalam is performed on the stage.

Then comes Aalaripu which means Pushpanjali i.e offering flowers and pranaam to God and Audience. 

Then Jwotiswaram i.e Tamil bols tied with music and rhythm. 

Then shabdam which contains a meaningful song to perform.

Then Barnam ,here a song is sung attached with bol and a special foot movement all over the song along with hands movements and expression.

Padam is also a tamil song expressing meaning.

Tillana is a mixture of critical bols and you have to perform it with lots of energy and speed.

It's the whole matter of Bharat natyam written in gist.