Bharatanatyam is one of the popular Indian classical dance forms. Bharatanatyam, which we know today, evolved during the late 18th or early 19th century. In the ancient India, the devadasis also known as dasiattam, performed Bharatanatyam in various parts of Tamil Nadu. The Devdasis were women who lived their life as dancer and worshiped gods by paying obeisance through their dance. This  tradition passed from one generation of Devdasis to another. As the dance form entered into the royal courts, the dancers were soon recogonized as Rajanartakis. Rajanartakis slowly became royal concubines and were therefore looked down upon in society. This resulted in decreased popularity. Nevertheless, the dance eventually regained its lost popularity over the passing years, through the commendable works of renowned Bharatanatyam artists such as E. Krishna Iyer. Another prominent name in the dance form is Rukmini Devi Arundale, who played a significant role in modifying mainly the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam and bringing it to the attention of the Westerners.

 

Bharata natyam is dance form which makes use of the combination of bhava, raga, tala, and natya. It was not solely made for the purpose of seeking pleasure, but in fact, the fabulous dance form had an embodiment of several cosmic relationships and expressions (bhava) emanating from all the worlds. The dance form is pristine and the dancers possess immense knowledge. It is commonly believed that a dance and music are two inseparable forms; only with Sangeetam (words or syllables set to raga or melody) can dance be conceptualized.Therefore, Bharata Natyam, it is said, is the embodiment of music in visual form, a ceremony, and an act of devotion. Bharata Natyam has three distinct elements to it: Nritta (rhythmic dance movements), Natya (mime, or dance with a dramatic aspect), and Nritya (combination of Nritta and Natya). "Natya" portrays a character and "Nritya" can be seen as a type of story telling, using lots of hand gestures and emotions.

 

Bharatanatyam and Indian Mythology

According to Indian Mythology, Lord Brahma created Panchama, or the 5 Veda or Natya Veda by seeping the information and references from four Vedas, namely Pathya (words) of Rigveda, Abhinaya (communicative elements of the body movements) of Yajurveda, Geetham (music and chant) of the Samaveda, and finally, the Rasam (vital sentiment and emotional elements) of Atharvaveda. Brahma later handed Natya Veda to revered holy man named Bharata to write and spread the writings in the current world. Bharata after the ordainment from Lord Brahma approached the demigods (Gandharavas and Apsaras) for help in performing natya, nritta and nrtya in front of Lord Shiva. Natya Shastra then came to be the basis of techniques provided for classical Indian dances, especially Bharatanatyam and Odissi, as well as Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam.

 

Bharatanatyam and Mathematics

Every movement of dancer is rhythmic caused by the result of simultaneous stamping of the feet, jump, pirouettes, and positions where the knees touch the floor forming a sophisticated pattern. The main feature of Bharata natyam is that the dancer tends to make beautiful straight lines or triangles like geometrical angles. The dancer makes different weaves of a series. The dance form is always performed with knees of dancers bent. The dancer's posture and the movements of his/her body are always in the form of triangles. The step of the dance demands maintenance of equilibrium of body weight and lower limbs. Another special feature of Bharatanatyam is the movements of the eyes, which harmonize and emphasize the body movements. 

 

Qualities of a Dancer

It is said that the Abhinaya Darpana, one of the two most authoritative texts on Bharata Natyam, has a sloka that describes Patra Prana Dasha Smrutaha - the ten essentials of the dancer: Javaha (agility), Sthirathvam (steadiness), Rekha (graceful lines), Bhramari (balance in pirouettes), Drishti (glance), Shramaha (hard work), Medha (intelligence), Shraddha (devotion), Vacho (good speech), and Geetam (singing ability).

 

A professional dancer, according to the Abhinaya Darpana, must possess the following qualities: She has to be youthful, slender, beautiful, with large eyes, with well-rounded breasts, self-confident, witty, pleasing, well aware of when to dance and when to stop, able to follow the flow of songs and music, and to dance to the time (thalam), with splendid costumes, and of a happy disposition.