Bharatanatyam

 

Bharatanatyam is an Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu. Its theoretical foundations appear in Natya Shastra, the ancient Sanskrit treatise of dance and drama, composed by Sage Bharat Muni more than 2000 years ago. For centuries, this yogic artform was restricted to performances in the temples of South India. In the 20th century, Bharatanatyam was made popular and accessible to commoners by Shri. S. Krishna Iyer, and later by Ms. Rukmini Devi Arundale. Bharatanatyam comprises Bhava (expression), Raga (melody), Tala (rhythm), and Naatya (dance) and oftens involves telling a story from Hindu mythology or Indian literature.  Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest living art forms in the world, and continues to evolve each day.

 

Arangetram

 

Arangetram is a graduation performance that is part of the traditional format – the Margam (path). It reflects the different stages of the dancer’s consciousness. In Tamil, Aranga means ‘raised stage’ and etram means ‘climbing’. Arangetram is a test for the Sishya (student) as well as the Guru (teacher) as the Guru’s knowledge and the Sishya’s talent are judged by the public. So the Arangetram is done only when the Guru feels that the Sishya is capable and talented enough to excel in a public performance.