Bharatanatyam: Encyclopedia II - Bharatanatyam - Traditional roots

Bharatanatyam - Traditional roots

Bharatanatyam is thought to have been created by Bharata Muni, a Hindu sage, who wrote the Natya Shastra, the most important ancient treatise on classical Indian dance. It is also called the fifth Veda in reference to the foundation of Hindu religion and philosophy, from which sprang the related South Indian musical tradition of Carnatic music. However, there are references to Rishi Agastya teaching his disciples a different form of sacred dance than the one taught by Bharata Muni.

In ancient times it was performed as dasiattam by mandir (Hindu temple) Devadasis. Many of the ancient sculptures in Hindu temples are based on Bharata Natyam dance postures. In fact, it is the celestial dancers, apsaras, who are depicted in many scriptures dancing the heavenly version of what is known on earth as Bharatanatyam.

The symbolism of the dance of Shiva is represented by the attitude called "Ananda Tandavam". Shiva has four arms: One right hand holds the "damaru", symbol of creation through the primordial sound. In one of the left hands, the purifying fire, symbol of transformation; the other right hand makes the reassuring gesture; the other left hand, the protecting gesture; his left foot, lifted up, evokes liberation and salvation; his right foot crushes the demon of ignorance and evil.

It is the most important and perfect among the eight Indian classical styles of dance
It is extremely traditional and known for its grace, purity, tenderness, statuesque & sculpturesque poses

Today Bharata-Natyam is one of the most popular and widely performed dance styles and is practised by male and female dancers all over India.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Traditional roots", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki