Bharatanatyam (pronounced ba-rata-na-tiam) is a classical dance style from South India performed by both men and women. It is called the "fifth veda", and is widely considered to be the oldest dance form in India. It is one of the most highly refined developed systems of dance, and is recorded as far back as the 9th century, although it was known as Sadir until the early 1900’s. The name Bharatanatyam is explained two different ways. The first is that it is composed of related words:

BHAva (expression)

RAga (melodic mode)

TAla (rhythm)

NATYAM (dance)

 

Make-up and Costumes:

Bharatanatyam makeup has a few unique features. Heavy lines are drawn around the eyes, extending outwards past the eyes. Similarly, the eyebrows are darkened and extended outwards with liner. The purpose of this makeup is to accentuate the movements of the eyes and eyebrows, and make them more visible, because they are an important part of the dance, especially for expression. A red dye is applied to the soles of the feet and the tips of the toes, as well as to the fingertips.

There are two commonly used styles in Bharatanatyam Costumes for women: the Skirt (Saree) Style or the Pyjama Style. Dancers wear costumes made of silk sarees with gold zari embroidery designs. Women’s costumes involve a significant amount of jewelry, including bangles, rings, earrings, nose rings, and special ornaments for the arms and head.The costumes of men are simpler, usually a dhoti covering the lower body and no upper garment. The men also wear ankle bells or salangai.

 

Music And Instruments:

Bharatanatyam is danced to the Carnatic

music..Bharatanatyam is based on Natya Shastra, a sacred book for Music .The Natyasastra clearly expresses musical dhruvas and abhinayam.The Natya shastra talks about Dhruva Ghana which were mainly songs used to enhance the entire dance drama. The term Raga was first described in the Natya Shastram along with demonstrating the usage of scales in  intervals of  2, 3 or 4 srutis.   The Natya shastram classifies musical instruments into four categories, which include Tata (lutes), Sushira (flute), Ghana (cymbals), Avanadha (drums).Talams of the carnatic music play a vital part in the dance concert since the singer has to match the mrudangam and the dancer’s beats. Normally the talams for most of the songs sung in a dance concert tend to be Adhi talam an 8 beat talam though some of the more difficult ones would have to match beats of Ata talams and Jhumpa talams in various jathis.

Instruments used in Bharatnatyam :

1.   Mridangam

2.   Manjira

3.   Saraswati Vina (South Indian Vina)

4.   Violin

5.   Kanjira

6.   Surpeti

7.   Venu

8.   Tanpur

 

 

 

History

 

Bharatnatyam has rich history of the style almost dating back to 2000 years. It is inspired from the sculptures of the ancient temple of Chidambaram. The origin of Bharatnatyam is in Thanjavoor of Tamil Nadu. The alternative name of Bharatnatayam is Daasiyattam. Earlier, Devdasis performed the natya in the ancient temple. The Devdasis were women who lived their life as dancer and worship to god by paying obeisance through their dance. The traditional form passed from the one generation of Devdasis to another, generation by generation. As the dance form entered into the royal courts, the dancers were soon begin to be called as Rajanartakis, who had the expertise to perform the royal courts. Rajanartakis slowly became the royal concubines. 

history