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01

The Dawn of Bharatanatyam

How Bharatanatyam started

What is Bharatanatyam?

Bharatanatyam is the main classical dance form of India that expresses Hindu religious themes and devotions. It originates from Southern India, in Tamil Nadu’s Hindu temples. The dance form was originally performed solely by women, such as the female Hindu temples of South India called the devadasis.

​

Bharatanatyam’s techniques and movements mainly come from the Natya Shastra, an ancient treatise on the performing arts. Of these movements, there are two types of movements in Bharatanatyam, including abstract and expressive movements, and these movements have three distinct features, such as nritta, nritya and natya. A key aspect of the movements of Bharatanatyam is its mudras, or hand gestures.

​

The music that accompanies a Bharatanatyam performance is usually carnatic music. As for the costumes of Bharatanatyam, they usually come in pant and salwar style, and other significant aspects of the Bharatanatyam costume include temple jewelry and heavy makeup.

​

Bharatanatyam arrived in Singapore after World War 2, due to the influx of immigrants from India that decided to settle down in our Lion City. Today, Singapore is home to various notable Bharatanatyam practitioners, such as Santha Bhaskar and Ambujah Thirunavukarasu. Additionally, the dance form has further made its mark in Singapore, as an art with educational, religious and social significance to Singapore.

Where did the word, 'Bharatanatyam', come from?

Hindu tradition tells us that the name of the dance itself, 'Bharatanatyam', originated from the combination of the words, 'Bharata' and 'Natyam'.

​

Bharata

'Bha', 'Ra' and 'Ta' are the terms that make up the mnemonic, 'Bharata', where

  • 'Bha' refers to 'bhavasa', meaning emotion and feelings

  • 'Ra' refers to 'raga', meaning melody

  • 'Ta' refers to 'tala', meaning rhythm

‘Bhavasa’ (emotion), ‘raga’ (melody) and ‘tala’ (rhythm) are the three essential ingredients of Bharatanatyam.

​

Natyam

In Sanskrit, 'Natyam' means dance.
 

Altogether, the word, 'Bharatanatyam', means a dance of 'bhavasa' (emotion and feelings), 'raga' (melody), and 'tala' (rhythm).

Bha-ra-ta-na-t-yam

Curious as to how 'Bharatanatyam' is pronounced?

Let's find out!

How did Bharatanatyam come about?

Bharatanatyam's Ancestors

Before Bharatanatyam, there was the ancient classical dance of sadir attam, or dasi attam. These dance forms were said to be the ancestors of Bharatanatyam.

​

  • Sadir attam was a dance form popular in the palace of the local Maharaja (great kings). It was performed for royal personages, such as the Mahratta rulers of Tanjore or the nawabs (deputy rulers).

  • Dasi attam refers to a temple dance performed by the devadasi (female Hindu temple dancers) for ritual worship.

 

While the transition from these dance forms to Bharatanatyam is unknown, similarities can be traced between the dance forms, such as how Bharatanatyam is also a dance performed by the devadasi.
 

Legends say that...

Indra, the king of all the gods, and a few other gods wanted a way to spend their free time. Thus, they asked Lord Brahma, the god of creation, to create something for them to do so. Lord Brahma then created the art of dance.

 

Thereafter, he enlightened Bharata Muni of the holy dance form of Bharatanatyam.

Bharata went on to codify and write about this dance in the ‘Natya Shastra’.

The Theoretical Origins of Bharatanatyam

Therefore, Bharatanatyam’s techniques and terminologies are mainly derived from the 'Natya Shastra’.

 

The ‘Natya Shastra’ is an ancient Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts, likely dating back to 1st century BCE to 3rd century CE.

 

It was written by Bharata Muni, who was an ancient Indian theatrologist and musicologist, and a mythic Brahman sage and priest.

​

Within the treatise, Bharatanatyam uses its concepts of Tandava and Lasya, which can be further traced back to Lord Shiva’s dance.

Let's check out a video of the use of Tandava in Lord Shiva's dance!

Bharata Muni choreographed a play based on Samudramantha (Churning of the Ocean). At the peak of Mount Kailasa, Lord Shiva, the god of dance, watched a performance of this play.

 

He was greatly pleased with it, so much so that he decided to perform the Tandava during the auspicious time of Pradosham, the day of worship for Lord Shiva.

 

However, during his performance, he felt that the dance was not whole. It lacked softer expressions, or Lasya. Thus, his wife, Parvati, later learnt Lasya from him and danced it for him.

 

These concepts of Tandava and Lasya went on to become the basis of the Natya Shastra, as Bharata chronicled them into the Natya Shastra.
 

Legends say that...

Bharatanatyam is also based on the Abhinaya Darpana (The Mirror of Gesture), by Nandikeswara.

 

Abhinaya Darpana is a detailed text which forms the basis of Bharatanatyam’s mudras, body movements and other gestures.

Where did Bharatanatyam origin from?

Bharatanatyam is a native of the Hindu temples of Tanjore (now known as Thanjavur), Tamil Nadu during the 9th century. It later flourished and became prevalent in other temples of Southern India.

Who were the original dancers of Bharatanatyam?

The dancers found within the walls of these Hindu temples were the female temple dancers of South India, called the devadasis. Originally, Bharatanatyam was practiced and performed solely by women, namely the devadasis.

 

Deva means deity and dasis means devotee. Thus, the devadasis were young girls who devoted their whole lives to serving a temple or a deity. In fact, they were even considered to be married to a deity.

​

They would train and learn to perform Bharatanatyam from dance teachers or masters called nattuvanar, who also had the responsibility of passing down the art form to future generations.

T01_09_LimXuanYeeAveril.jpg
Characters of Bharatanatyam 

Types of Characters

There are various types of characters that a Bharatanatyam dancer can portray in the dance art. These character types have been classified by the Natya Shastra and various other scriptures. In general, this can include the nayika (heroine), ayaka (hero), and sakhi (friend).

​

Nayika
For example, there are eight different phases or types of nayika, better known as ashtanayikas, which literally means ‘eight heroines’. These ashtanayikas include:

​

  1. Virahotkanthita: The heroine waiting and longing for her loved one to come home

  2. Abhisarika: The heroine who is determined to unite with her loved one against all odds

  3. Vasakasajja: The heroine who prepares to meet her loved one

  4. Vipralabdha: The heroine who is crestfallen, after being stood up by her loved one the previous night

  5. Khandita: The heroine who is aggrieved at her unfaithful loved one

  6. Kalahantarita: The heroine who has fought with her loved one, but she may feel regret later on

  7. Proshitabhartruka: The heroine away from her loved one, in a state of yearning

  8. Swadhinabhartruka: The heroine who is pleased by the love and commitment she receives from her loved one

Characters in Bharatanatyam can also be categorised by their status and virtue.

 

  • In terms of status, one may be uttama (noble, divine), madhyama (human) or adhama (base). 

  • In terms of virtue, one may be swakiya (faithful wife), parakiya (married but longs for another) or samanya (courtesan).

​

The portrayal of these character types is one essential aspect of the artistry of Bharatanatyam. These character types will influence the emotions that the dancer should feel and their reactions to the situations they encounter, and give nuance to the emotions and character of the dance.

Ashtanayikas

Let's take a look at a depiction of the eight phases of a nayika (heroine) in Bharatanatyam by Oorvazi Irani!

References

​

Ambrose, K. (1983a). Introduction. In R. Gopal (Ed.), Classical dances and costumes of India (2nd ed., pp. 1-9). Adam & Charles Black.


Ambrose, K. (1983b). Bharata natyam. In R. Gopal (Ed.), Classical dances and costumes of India (2nd ed., pp. 33-63). Adam & Charles Black.

 

Bhaskar’s Arts Academy. (n.d.). Choreographers | Bhaskar’s Arts Academy. Retrieved February 9, 2021, from https://www.bhaskarsartsacademy.com/people/choreographers/
 

Cultural India. (n.d.). Bharatanatyam. https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-dance/classical/bharatnatyam.html
 

Devi, R. (2002). Dance dialects of India. Motilal Banarsidass.


eShe. (2020). Ashtanayika: 8 phases of the romantic heroine in the Indian aesthetic tradition. https://eshe.in/2020/05/22/ashtanayika-oorvazi-irani/


Indian Culture. (n.d.). From Sadir attam to Bharatanatyam. https://indianculture.gov.in/stories/sadir-attam-bharatanatyam


Khokar, M. (1979). Traditions of Indian classical dance (1st ed.). Clarion Books.

 

Malini, S. H. (1998-1999). Historical purpose of Bharatanatyam in Singapore. National University of Singapore.
 

Padanyas Nrityalaya. (n.d.). Bharatanatyam costume - Types & parts.  https://padanyasnrityalaya.com/bharatanatyam-classes-online/bharatanatyam-costume/#:~:text=Bharatanatyam%20Costume%20For%20Men&text=The%20dhoti%20covers%20the%20lower,upper%20part%20of%20the%20dancer.&text=shoulder%20shawl%20to%20cover%20the%20torso. 
 

Rangashree. (2008). Description of Bharatanatyam. http://rangashree.com/bharatanatyam-description.html
 

Rao, U. S. K., & Devi, U. K. C. (1993). A panorama of Indian dances. Sri Satguru Publications.
 

Srinivasan, K. S. (2000). Bharata natyam. In S. S. Singh (Ed.), Indian dance: The ultimate metaphor (pp. 33-58). Art

Media Resources Ltd.
 

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2011). Natyashastra. In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 9, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Natyashastra
 

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2018). Bharata natyam. In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 9, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/art/bharata-natyam

​

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2020). Karnatak music | History, Characteristics, & Facts. In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved February 9, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/art/Karnatak-music

About the Natya Shastra
Bharatanatyam's Place of Origin
Devadasis

01

The Dawn of Bharatanatyam

How Bharatanatyam started

What is Bharatanatyam?

Bharatanatyam is the main classical dance form of India that expresses Hindu religious themes and devotions. It originates from Southern India, in Tamil Nadu’s Hindu temples. The dance form was originally performed solely by women, such as the female Hindu temples of South India called the devadasis.

​

Bharatanatyam’s techniques and movements mainly come from the Natya Shastra, an ancient treatise on the performing arts. Of these movements, there are two types of movements in Bharatanatyam, including abstract and expressive movements, and these movements have three distinct features, such as nritta, nritya and natya. A key aspect of the movements of Bharatanatyam is its mudras, or hand gestures.

​

The music that accompanies a Bharatanatyam performance is usually carnatic music. As for the costumes of Bharatanatyam, they usually come in pant and salwar style, and other significant aspects of the Bharatanatyam costume include temple jewelry and heavy makeup.

​

Bharatanatyam arrived in Singapore after World War 2, due to the influx of immigrants from India that decided to settle down in our Lion City. Today, Singapore is home to various notable Bharatanatyam practitioners, such as Santha Bhaskar and Ambujah Thirunavukarasu. Additionally, the dance form has further made its mark in Singapore, as an art with educational, religious and social significance to Singapore.

Where did the word, 'Bharatanatyam', come from?

Hindu tradition tells us that the name of the dance itself, 'Bharatanatyam', originated from the combination of the words, 'Bharata' and 'Natyam'.

​

Bharata

'Bha', 'Ra' and 'Ta' are the terms that make up the mnemonic, 'Bharata', where

  • 'Bha' refers to 'bhavasa', meaning emotion and feelings

  • 'Ra' refers to 'raga', meaning melody

  • 'Ta' refers to 'tala', meaning rhythm

‘Bhavasa’ (emotion), ‘raga’ (melody) and ‘tala’ (rhythm) are the three essential ingredients of Bharatanatyam.

​

Natyam

In Sanskrit, 'Natyam' means dance.
 

Altogether, the word, 'Bharatanatyam', means a dance of 'bhavasa' (emotion and feelings), 'raga' (melody), and 'tala' (rhythm).

Bha-ra-ta-na-t-yam

Curious as to how 'Bharatanatyam' is pronounced?

Let's find out!

How did Bharatanatyam come about?

Bharatanatyam's Ancestors

Before Bharatanatyam, there was the ancient classical dance of sadir attam, or dasi attam. These dance forms were said to be the ancestors of Bharatanatyam.

​

  • Sadir attam was a dance form popular in the palace of the local Maharaja (great kings). It was performed for royal personages, such as the Mahratta rulers of Tanjore or the nawabs (deputy rulers).

  • Dasi attam refers to a temple dance performed by the devadasi (female Hindu temple dancers) for ritual worship.

 

While the transition from these dance forms to Bharatanatyam is unknown, similarities can be traced between the dance forms, such as how Bharatanatyam is also a dance performed by the devadasi.
 

Legends say that...

Indra, the king of all the gods, and a few other gods wanted a way to spend their free time. Thus, they asked Lord Brahma, the god of creation, to create something for them to do so. Lord Brahma then created the art of dance.

 

Thereafter, he enlightened Bharata Muni of the holy dance form of Bharatanatyam.

Bharata went on to codify and write about this dance in the ‘Natya Shastra’.

The Theoretical Origins of Bharatanatyam

Therefore, Bharatanatyam’s techniques and terminologies are mainly derived from the 'Natya Shastra’.

 

The ‘Natya Shastra’ is an ancient Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts, likely dating back to 1st century BCE to 3rd century CE.

 

It was written by Bharata Muni, who was an ancient Indian theatrologist and musicologist, and a mythic Brahman sage and priest.

​

Within the treatise, Bharatanatyam uses its concepts of Tandava and Lasya, which can be further traced back to Lord Shiva’s dance.

Let's check out a video of the use of Tandava in Lord Shiva's dance!

Bharata Muni choreographed a play based on Samudramantha (Churning of the Ocean). At the peak of Mount Kailasa, Lord Shiva, the god of dance, watched a performance of this play.

 

He was greatly pleased with it, so much so that he decided to perform the Tandava during the auspicious time of Pradosham, the day of worship for Lord Shiva.

 

However, during his performance, he felt that the dance was not whole. It lacked softer expressions, or Lasya. Thus, his wife, Parvati, later learnt Lasya from him and danced it for him.

 

These concepts of Tandava and Lasya went on to become the basis of the Natya Shastra, as Bharata chronicled them into the Natya Shastra.
 

Legends say that...

Bharatanatyam is also based on the Abhinaya Darpana (The Mirror of Gesture), by Nandikeswara.

 

Abhinaya Darpana is a detailed text which forms the basis of Bharatanatyam’s mudras, body movements and other gestures.

Where did Bharatanatyam origin from?

Bharatanatyam is a native of the Hindu temples of Tanjore (now known as Thanjavur), Tamil Nadu during the 9th century. It later flourished and became prevalent in other temples of Southern India.

Who were the original dancers of Bharatanatyam?

The dancers found within the walls of these Hindu temples were the female temple dancers of South India, called the devadasis. Originally, Bharatanatyam was practiced and performed solely by women, namely the devadasis.

 

Deva means deity and dasis means devotee. Thus, the devadasis were young girls who devoted their whole lives to serving a temple or a deity. In fact, they were even considered to be married to a deity.

​

They would train and learn to perform Bharatanatyam from dance teachers or masters called nattuvanar, who also had the responsibility of passing down the art form to future generations.

T01_09_LimXuanYeeAveril.jpg
Characters of Bharatanatyam 

Types of Characters

There are various types of characters that a Bharatanatyam dancer can portray in the dance art. These character types have been classified by the Natya Shastra and various other scriptures. In general, this can include the nayika (heroine), ayaka (hero), and sakhi (friend).

​

Nayika
For example, there are eight different phases or types of nayika, better known as ashtanayikas, which literally means ‘eight heroines’. These ashtanayikas include:

​

  1. Virahotkanthita: The heroine waiting and longing for her loved one to come home

  2. Abhisarika: The heroine who is determined to unite with her loved one against all odds

  3. Vasakasajja: The heroine who prepares to meet her loved one

  4. Vipralabdha: The heroine who is crestfallen, after being stood up by her loved one the previous night

  5. Khandita: The heroine who is aggrieved at her unfaithful loved one

  6. Kalahantarita: The heroine who has fought with her loved one, but she may feel regret later on

  7. Proshitabhartruka: The heroine away from her loved one, in a state of yearning

  8. Swadhinabhartruka: The heroine who is pleased by the love and commitment she receives from her loved one

Characters in Bharatanatyam can also be categorised by their status and virtue.

 

  • In terms of status, one may be uttama (noble, divine), madhyama (human) or adhama (base). 

  • In terms of virtue, one may be swakiya (faithful wife), parakiya (married but longs for another) or samanya (courtesan).

​

The portrayal of these character types is one essential aspect of the artistry of Bharatanatyam. These character types will influence the emotions that the dancer should feel and their reactions to the situations they encounter, and give nuance to the emotions and character of the dance.

Ashtanayikas

Let's take a look at a depiction of the eight phases of a nayika (heroine) in Bharatanatyam by Oorvazi Irani!

References

​

Ambrose, K. (1983a). Introduction. In R. Gopal (Ed.), Classical dances and costumes of India (2nd ed., pp. 1-9). Adam & Charles Black.


Ambrose, K. (1983b). Bharata natyam. In R. Gopal (Ed.), Classical dances and costumes of India (2nd ed., pp. 33-63). Adam & Charles Black.

 

Bhaskar’s Arts Academy. (n.d.). Choreographers | Bhaskar’s Arts Academy. Retrieved February 9, 2021, from https://www.bhaskarsartsacademy.com/people/choreographers/
 

Cultural India. (n.d.). Bharatanatyam. https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-dance/classical/bharatnatyam.html
 

Devi, R. (2002). Dance dialects of India. Motilal Banarsidass.


eShe. (2020). Ashtanayika: 8 phases of the romantic heroine in the Indian aesthetic tradition. https://eshe.in/2020/05/22/ashtanayika-oorvazi-irani/


Indian Culture. (n.d.). From Sadir attam to Bharatanatyam. https://indianculture.gov.in/stories/sadir-attam-bharatanatyam


Khokar, M. (1979). Traditions of Indian classical dance (1st ed.). Clarion Books.

 

Malini, S. H. (1998-1999). Historical purpose of Bharatanatyam in Singapore. National University of Singapore.
 

Padanyas Nrityalaya. (n.d.). Bharatanatyam costume - Types & parts.  https://padanyasnrityalaya.com/bharatanatyam-classes-online/bharatanatyam-costume/#:~:text=Bharatanatyam%20Costume%20For%20Men&text=The%20dhoti%20covers%20the%20lower,upper%20part%20of%20the%20dancer.&text=shoulder%20shawl%20to%20cover%20the%20torso. 
 

Rangashree. (2008). Description of Bharatanatyam. http://rangashree.com/bharatanatyam-description.html
 

Rao, U. S. K., & Devi, U. K. C. (1993). A panorama of Indian dances. Sri Satguru Publications.
 

Srinivasan, K. S. (2000). Bharata natyam. In S. S. Singh (Ed.), Indian dance: The ultimate metaphor (pp. 33-58). Art

Media Resources Ltd.
 

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2011). Natyashastra. In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 9, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Natyashastra
 

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2018). Bharata natyam. In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 9, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/art/bharata-natyam

​

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2020). Karnatak music | History, Characteristics, & Facts. In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved February 9, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/art/Karnatak-music

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