India Bharat Natyam : India  

India Bharat Natyam - Travel guide

India

Bharat Natyam

Bharat Natyam, one of the oldest Indian Classical dance forms is an essence of dedicatory dance. This was performed by Devadasis in the temples, primarily in Tamil Nadu and to lesser extent in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Bharat Natyam is compounded from 'bha' for bhava or emotional projection, 'ra' for raga or melody and 'ta' for tala rhythm. Natyam means the art of dance.

The Sangam Age from 500 B.C to 500 AD marks the evolution of this dance form. The early part of the present century saw the resurgence of this dance form.

The key posture of this dance form requires the upper part of the body to be erect, the legs bent halfway down with the knees spread out, and the feet positioned like a half open fan. Practically every part of the body has its distinct movement.

The songs used are composed from the poetic literature of Tamil, Telegu, and Sanskrit and to some extent Kannada. The accompanying music is in pure Carnatic style.

Today, Bharat Natyam is not a dance style but a dance technique