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Music & Dance :

 

Bharatnatyam :

It is one of the world-famous ancient classical dance form of South India.It is said that basically it is having its origin in Thanjavoor of Tamil Nadu. It was also known as "Daasiyattam" as the performance was made by Devadasies in temples of Tamil Nadu in past. The term 'Bharatanatyam' is derived from three basic concepts of Bhava, Raga and Thaala.

Performance of Bharatnatyam :
This Ancient Dance is originally based on the theories of the books 'Natyasaasthram' and 'Abhinaya Darpanam'. The dance is performed in the stage as Nritham, Nrithyam and Natyam. The dance form is based on Steps (Adavu) and hand gestures (Hasthamudra). The dance consists of 64 basic steps (Adavu) and they are divided into 9 parts, like 'Thattadavu', 'Naatadavu', 'Kuthithumettadavu', 'Mandiadavu', 'Sarikkal' and 'Thattumettu' are very important. Along with this Communication is done through 'bhavabhinaya' (facial expression) and 'hasthamudra' (hand gestures). The performance begins with the praying to God Ganapathi and worship of God Nataraja. Normally, the performance of Bharatnatyam lasts for two to two and half hours.

 
Costumes in BharatNatyam :
The costume used in this Ancient Classical Dance are paijama and jacket of Kanchipuram silk and Banaras silk with lots of ornaments of shining stones on neck, ears, hands, and head, jasmin garland in the hair and foot trinklet with small bells.
Music :
The music used in Bharatanatyam is based on Carnatic classical music. The instruments accompanying dance are Veena, Flute, Mridangam and Violin.
Direction :
The dance direction is done by 'Nattuvanar' giving the Thaalam using hand symbols and singing 'Vaaythari'. There will be two singers also.

Present Scenario in BharatNatyam :
The modern Bharatanatyam was systematically regularized by well known 'Thanjavoor Brothers', Ponnayya, Chinnayya, Sivanandam and Vativelu. Some of the famous Bharatanatyam performers are Bala Saraswathi, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Rugmini Arundel, Kamala Laxman, Padma Subrahmaniam and Chithra Visweswaran. Panthanalloor Meenakshi Sundaram Pilla, Panthanalloor Chokkalingam Pilla, Padmasree Vazhoor Ramayyan Pilla and Adayar Laxman are some of the famous 'Nattuvar'.

 
More Indian Dances :
Kuchipudi Odissi
Manipuri Mohini Attam
Kathakali  

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