dance - Bharatanatyam

• Classical dance forms of India

  • Kathak (North India)
  • Manipuri (North East)
  • Odissi (Orissa)
  • Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu)
  • Kathakali (Kerala)
  • Mohiniaattam (Kerala)
• Bharatanatyam


  • One of the oldest classical dance styles originating from Tamil Nadu
  • Has a tradition of over 2500 years
  • Was called Sadir, Sadirattam, Chinna Melam, and Dasi Attam earlier
  • Was meant for the worship of god in temples where Devadasis used to offer their service in the form of dance
  • Has two important constituents - Lasya (grace) and Tandava (forceful/rigourousness)
• The term 'Bharatanatyam' has many attributes:
• Attributes of the term 'Bharatanatyam'

  • Sage Bharatha started this art form
  • The word is formed from deriving first letters of Bhava (Expression), Raga (Melody) and Tala (Rhythm)
  • It banishes distress
  • It originated from the dance form of Bharata desha
• Historical background of Bharatanatyam

  • Dynasties such as Ganga, Kadamba, Pallava, Chalukya, Hoysala encouraged this art form
  • Kannada poet Pampa's literary work indicates classical dance, music and paintings were in practice and women were well-versed in these art forms
  • King Raja Raja Chola had appointed 400 dancers in the Brihadeeshwara temple of Tanjore
  • Indian art forms and culture gained utmost prominence in the era of Chalukyas in the 8th Century, in the temples of Badami
  • Some Indian queens were excellent dancers (e.g. Rani Savaladevi, the consort of Savideva of Chalukya dynasty)
  • Sculptures at Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura temples spread the glory of the most famous dancer, the consort of king Vishnuvardana, Shantala Devi and her expertise in the field of dance
  • The era of Shri Krishnadeva Raya also records prominence to dance (Bharatesha vaibhava, a literary work of 16th Century and Lasya ranjana of King Simha Bhoopala of 17th century)
• Tanjore brothers


  • Lived in the courts of Tulaja and Sarabhoji kings in the 19th century
  • Quartet of dance masters - Chinnaiah, Parinaiah, Shivananda and Vadivelu
  • Offered nityaseva at the Brihadeeshwara temple of Tanjore along with their disciples
  • Chinnaiah taught dance in the court of king Krishna Raja Vodeyar of Mysore dynasty
  • Vadivelu stayed in the court of Swathi Tirunal Maharaj of Tiruvankoor
• British rulers did not see the art as a form of education or moral tradition and started to alienate it from the people, putting a ban on temple dance
• By the dedicated efforts of great artists such as E. Krishna Iyer, Rukmini Devi Arundale and the like, the fading art forms gained back their glory and got rejuvenated
• Bharatanatyam is evenly divided between three elements

  • Nritta (Rhythmic Element)
  • Nritya (Combination of Rhythm with Expression)
  • Natya (Dramatic Element)
• Mode of learning Bharatanatyam

  1. Shiksharambhan (beginning of the lesson) observed as a special ceremony

  2. Student has oil bath (Mangala Snanam) and decorates themselves beautifully

  3. Student brings Kurudakshina (gifts) and offers it to the Guru, prostrating as a sign of respect

  4. Guru blesses the student and places Tilaka on their forehead

  5. Puja performed to a wooden rod, with flowers, new clothes, and Lord Ganesha instilled through rituals

  6. Student learns basic steps using the rod for balancing (Silambam pidittal)

  7. Now, teacher teaches Namaskaar, Adavus, exercises, stylized movements of limbs, head, neck, eyes & eyebrows, and body bending

  8. Chain of Adavus called Karva Akorvai, when ends with a muktaya becomes Jathi

  9. After basic training, student learns Alapu, Jatisvaram, Shabdam, Vamam, Padam, Ashtapad, Javali, Shloka, Tisana (Margam)
• Bharatanatyam repertoire


  • Starts with a Ganapati stuthi
  • Includes Keertanam, Pushpanjali, Todayam, Devaranama, Vachana, etc.
  • Concludes with a Tilana
• Bharatanatyam dance styles in practice

  • Madarasu
  • Mysore
  • Tanjore
  • Pandanallur
  • Valavoor
  • Kalakshetra
• Musical instruments used for Bharatanatyam performance

  • Nattuvangam (cymbals)
  • Mridangam
  • Veena
  • Tambura
  • Electronic Tanpura
  • Clarinet
  • Violin
  • Morching
  • Khanjira
  • Ghatam
  • Chande
  • Keyboard