Bharata Natyam

Bharata Natyam is a major form of Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu. It is one of eight widely recognized Indian classical dance forms. It expresses South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas. Descriptions of Bharata Natyam have been found as early as the 2nd century CE.

The repertoire of Bharata Natyam, like all major classical Indian dance forms, follows the three categories of performance in the Natya Shastra. These are Nritta (Nirutham), Nritya (Niruthiyam) and Natya (Natyam).

• The Nritta performance is the abstract, fast and rhythmic aspect of the dance. The viewer is presented with pure movement where the emphasis is on motion, form, speed, range and pattern. This part of the repertoire has no interpretative aspect, no telling of a story. It is a technical performance that aims to engage the senses (prakriti) of the audience.

• The Nritya is a slower and more expressive aspect of the dance. In nritya, the dance-acting expands to include silent expression of words and feelings through gestures and body motion set to musical notes. The actor articulates a legend or a spiritual message. This part of a Bharatanatyam repertoire is more than sensory enjoyment - it aims to engage the emotions and mind of the audience.

• The Natyam is a play, where the dancer uses certain standardized body movements to indicate a new character in the story. Natya incorporates the elements of Nritya.