INDIAN CULTURE
(இந்திய கலாச்சாரம்)
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Indian classical dance known as bharatanatyam has its roots in Tamil Nadu. It emphasises South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideals, primarily those of Shaivism and generally of Hinduism. It is one of the earliest Indian classical dance styles recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Bharatanatyam style is noted for its fixed upper torso, bent legs and knees flexed (Araimandi) combined with footwork, and a vocabulary of sign language based on gestures of hands, eyes, and face muscles. The performance repertoire of Bharatanatyam, like other classical dances, includes nrita (pure dance), nritya (solo expressive dance) and natya (group dramatic dance).You can observe the following elements in the photos displayed below.
Teaching each other dance steps
We can observe how Bharatnatyam is a combination of mudras,postures, footwork, etc.
Bharatanatyam is the state dance form of Tamil Nadu.The theoretical foundations of Bharatanatyam are found first in Kootha Nool in Tamil and then referred also in Natya Shastra, a Sanskrit text of performance arts.
Bharata Natyam is an art,
'that consecrates the body ,the dancer, who dissolves her identity in rhythm and music, makes her body an instrument, at least for the duration of the dance, for the experience and expression of the spirit.'
By learning the dance of Bharatnatyam, not only can people with disabilities find a way to express themselves but a way to connect with their culture.(Image from Bharatnatyam workshop conducted by us)
Image source - Click here
No one should be excluded from getting a chance to connect with one's roots, traditions, culture, and heritage just because of certain physical constraints.
The traditional order of Bharata Natyam recital viz.
alarippu, jatiswaram, varnam, padams, tillana and the shloka
is the correct sequence in the practice of this art, which is an artistic Yoga,
for revealing the spiritual through the corporeal.
The evolution of Bharatnatyam shows how it helped people connect dance and devotion.
Bharatanatyam shares the dance poses of many ancient Shiva sculptures in Hindu temples.
It was not only well-liked by the kings but was also portrayed in several prehistoric rock drawings and classical sculptures.
It has undergone some refinement, yet it hasn't changed from what it was once
classical, graceful, and traditional.
This art form left the four walls of the temples and quickly spread to the general public in just five decades. It is now well-known and is discussed in several international dance forums.
A classical dance intertwined with grace and tradition
The dances elegant mudras and postures truly have a lasting impact on everyone
We can observe how Bharatnatyam has been a part of Indian culture for such a long time. Since its beginning the dance has been associated with various cultural gatherings and many of these performances express a meaning behind them. Bharatnatyam can be like a bridge for people with disabilities to connect with their culture while expressing themselves.
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