Bharatanatyam
An Indian Dance form
Bharathanatyam is poetry in motion. Tracing its hoary origins in the Natya Shastra, written by the great sage, bharata, it is a highly traditional and stylized dance form.
Crystallized in the castiron mould of Bharata's technique, this art form grossily disallows new-fangled innovations or gimmicks except in repertoire and forms of presentation.
Emerging far back in the labyrnthine twists of ancient history ( as information for the date conscious, 4000 B.C. is the ascribed date to the Natya Shastra), Bharatanatyam has been immortalized in successive generations, as much by the sinuous grace of great dancers as by the nimble the perfection of Bharata's technique in the following lines of temple sculptures.
Its present form was evolved by the Tanjore quartet namely poniah Pillai and brothers. Earlier variedly known as Dasi Attam and Sadir, it was practised by devadasis of the South Indian temples. It went into disrepute due to economic and social conditions and it was Rukmini Devi who gave it new life and respectability.
Labels: Bharatanatyam, Indian Dance form
