Origins of Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam (பரதநாட்டியம்) is one of the oldest classical dance forms in the world, with origins rooted in the temples of Tamil Nadu. Historically, it was performed by devadasis — women dedicated to temple service — as a form of devotional offering to the deity. The dance was known as Sadir or Dasiattam before being codified and renamed Bharatanatyam in the 20th century. The name itself is a compound: Bha (Bhava – expression), Ra (Raga – music), Ta (Tala – rhythm), and Natyam (dance).
The Revival of Bharatanatyam
By the early 20th century, the devadasi tradition had declined significantly due to social reform movements and colonial-era legislation. It was the pioneering work of figures like Rukmini Devi Arundale and the musician E. Krishna Iyer that revived and reformulated Bharatanatyam as a respectable concert art form. Rukmini Devi founded the Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai in 1936, which became a globally recognized institution for classical Indian arts.
The Structure of a Bharatanatyam Performance
A traditional Bharatanatyam margam (repertoire) follows a structured sequence of items:
- Alarippu — An invocatory piece that warms up the body and seeks blessings.
- Jatiswaram — A pure dance sequence emphasizing rhythm and footwork.
- Shabdam — An introduction of expressive dance (abhinaya) with simple devotional compositions.
- Varnam — The centerpiece of the recital; the most technically and expressively demanding piece, combining both pure dance (nritta) and expressive dance (nritya).
- Padams & Javalis — Lyrical pieces focused on shringar rasa (the emotion of love).
- Tillana — An energetic, rhythmically complex finale piece.
- Mangalam — A brief closing blessing.
The Vocabulary of Movement
Bharatanatyam has an extraordinarily precise vocabulary of movement. The Natya Shastra — an ancient Sanskrit treatise on performing arts — codifies the system that Bharatanatyam draws from:
- Mudras (hand gestures) — There are 28 asamyuta (single-hand) and 24 samyuta (double-hand) mudras, each with specific meanings.
- Navarasas — The nine fundamental emotions expressed through facial and body language: love, humor, compassion, anger, courage, fear, disgust, wonder, and serenity.
- Adavus — The foundational movement units of Bharatanatyam; there are over 100 adavus classified into different families.
Bharatanatyam in the Modern World
Today, Bharatanatyam is practiced and performed globally — from Chennai to Chicago, from London to Singapore. It is taught in classical academies and universities worldwide, and contemporary choreographers continue to push its boundaries, incorporating it into fusion works with ballet, contemporary dance, and even film. Tamil cinema has long celebrated the form, with many actresses training in Bharatanatyam and iconic dance sequences becoming part of Kollywood's visual language.
Whether experienced in a grand sabha (auditorium) during Chennai's famous Margazhi music season or in a small recital hall abroad, Bharatanatyam remains a living bridge between ancient Tamil devotion and modern artistic expression.