Why in news? Bharatanatyam dancer Saroja Vaidyanathan has died. The classical dancer was conferred the Padma Shri in 2002 and the Padma Bhushan in 2013.
About:
Bharatanatyam of Tamil Nadu in southern India has grown out of the art of dancers dedicated to temples, and was earlier known as Sadir or Dasi Attam.
It is a popular classical dance form in South India.
It is the first of India’s traditional dances to be refashioned as theatre art and to be exhibited widely both at home and abroad.
Bharatanatyam rests on principles of performance and aesthetics set down in classics such as Bharata’s Natyashastra.
It has a rich repertoire of songs in Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit.
Bharatanatyam has a highly evolved language of Nritta, abstract dance, and Nritya which unfolds the narrative.
The themes have a wide range spanning human and divine love and are generally classed under the rubric of shringara (romantic love) and Bhakti (devotion).
The music of Bharatanatyam belongs to the Carnatic system of southern India.
Some common instruments that accompany a Bharatanatyam dancer in a recital are; the Mridangam, Veena, Flute, Violin, Talam, Ghatam, Kanjeera, Tambura, Nadaswaram and Harmonium.
Very Impt. for NID etc.
Elements of Bharatanatyam:
Bhava (Expressions): Bharatanatya performers need to master being able to perform various facial expressions as demanded by the song/story.
Expressions of joy, surprise, anger, grief, love etc aid in communication of the message during performance.
Hastha Mudra (Hand gestures): Hand gestures and forming of different shapes by finger movements make an important part of Bharatanatyam performance.
Thala: Bharatanatyam performance is done in sync with some soulful Carnatic music.
Thalas represent eight rhythmic intervals.
Dance: Bharatanatyam dance performance includes carefully choreographed and well rehearsed dance performance that utilizes all of stage space, showcasing tricky body maneuvers and dance steps that sync perfectly with music, facial expressions and hand gestures.
Nataraja Statue: Most Bharatanatya dances are performed in front of Lord Nataraja statue.
All performances begin with a prayer and initial steps marking respect to Lord Nataraja.
Dress: Bharatanatyam performers (females) wear silk saree, along with suitable ornaments, jewelry and metallic bells (gejje) on their wrist and ankles.
Male performers wear silk dhoti, shalya and minimum jewelry.
Performers: Bharatanatyam is performed both by male and female artists. However, the majority of the artists are female.
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