Bharatanatyam

Lore & Background

Historical references appear in the Tamil epic Silappatikaram (c. The Thanjavur Quartet developed the basic structure of modern Bharatanatyam by formalizing it. Sadiraattam remained exclusive to Tamil Hindu temples through the 19th century. The dance contains different types of bani (tradition), noted for its fixed upper torso, bent legs, flexed knees (aramandi), footwork, and sign language based on gestures of hands, eyes, and facial muscles. The performance repertoire includes nrita (pure dance), nritya (conveys meaning through hand gestures), and natya (drama). A program usually lasts two hours without interruption, performed by one dancer who does not leave the stage or change costumes.

Reader's Guide

Bharatanatyam holds significance as the oldest classical dance tradition in India, with roots in ancient texts and temple sculptures. Modern stage productions have become popular throughout India, including performances that are purely dance-based, featuring non-religious ideas and fusion themes. The dance's theoretical foundations in the Natya Shastra and Tamil texts, along with its expression of spiritual ideas, underscore its enduring legacy. The controversy over its colonial-era suppression and subsequent revival highlights tensions between local traditions and external moral judgments.

Did You Know?

• The word Bharatanatyam is a backronym: bha for bhavam (feelings), ra for ragam (melody), tam for talam (rhythm).
• The Thanjavur Quartet developed the basic structure of modern Bharatanatyam.
• Temple sculptures from the 6th to 9th centuries CE suggest dance was a refined performance art by the mid-1st millennium CE.