Bharatanatyam, a captivating and ancient classical dance form, has flourished and evolved over the past 2500 years while maintaining its aesthetic qualities and stylistic gestures. Originating in the temples of Southern India, it has become a contemporary art form with a global following. With its highly beautiful body postures, stylism, and gestural aesthetics, Bharatanatyam embodies grace and vibrance.

Learning Bharatanatyam is a journey of dedication and hard work, encompassing a myriad of subjects that form a rich tapestry of cultural heritage. Its comprehensive curriculum incorporates knowledge of history, mythology, mathematics, geometry, sculpture, literature, poetry, classical music, and rhythm. Thus, Bharatanatyam is regarded as an “all-encompassing” art form.

The learning course of Bharatanatyam typically spans seven years, with a minimum of five years for foundation training and an additional two to three years for advanced training, depending on the student’s capacity. Just like learning a language, students begin with mastering the basic steps called “ADAVUS,” which serve as the alphabets of this dance language. It takes months to a year for students to grasp these fundamental steps.

Once the basic steps are mastered, students embark on learning the traditional repertoire of Bharatanatyam, which comprises a collection of captivating dance pieces, increasing in complexity over time. After completing the entire repertoire, known as Margam, which usually consists of 10-14 dance pieces, the student is deemed ready to complete her “Arangetram.” The Arangetram is the dancer’s first solo stage performance, typically lasting three hours, accompanied by a live orchestra. It is a milestone, akin to a graduation ceremony, where the student showcases all the repertoire learned. The preparation and stamina required for this performance are immense, and only the Guru/teacher can determine when a student is ready for her Arangetram.

Alongside learning the repertoire, students also delve into the nuances of Tala (rhythm) and Abhinaya (expressing emotions through facial expressions and hand gestures), which are the soul of Indian classical dance.

Following the Arangetram, the journey of a Bharatanatyam dancer continues with a quest for deeper knowledge, exploring various principles, and creating and choreographing their own dance pieces. Learning Bharatanatyam is an unending process that demands humility and dedication from the student.

The benefits of learning Bharatanatyam are holistic, encompassing physical, intellectual, and spiritual aspects.

Physical Benefits: Bharatanatyam requires agility and builds stamina through intense training and practice, making it an excellent cardio and toning exercise. The dance form incorporates static poses that align with yoga postures, enhancing flexibility and promoting overall physical well-being. Facial exercises for Abhinaya cultivate impressive expressiveness.

Intellectual Benefits: Bharatanatyam extends beyond physical movement, emphasizing symmetry in every step. It nurtures a balanced brain by repeating movements on both sides of the body. Learning Abhinaya pieces stimulates the creative side of the brain, fueling imagination and sharpening creative thinking. Mastery of rhythmic syllables and multitasking on stage enhances concentration and memory power.

Spiritual Benefits: Bharatanatyam, akin to yoga, brings spiritual alignment by immersing the practitioner into a meditative zone. Focused attention on each movement of the body clears the mind of scattered thoughts. Abhinaya, when performed with genuine emotion, connects on a spiritual level, conveying deep feelings to the audience. The profoundness and divinity of the art form lie in this ability to evoke emotions.

Bharatanatyam is not merely a dance style but a harmonious journey of artistic personality development. Its learning experience encompasses more than dance, nurturing passion and appreciation for this ancient art form.

–Author
Priyancka Ghate