Soma

Resources => Dance [Public] => Topic started by: nichi on January 19, 2009, 09:13:17 AM

Title: The Language of Bharatanatyam
Post by: nichi on January 19, 2009, 09:13:17 AM
The Language of Dance (Bharatanatyam)
http://www.youtube.com/v/aIahJ21fN_c&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIahJ21fN_c&NR=1

Bharatanatyam dance is derived from the ancient Hindu tradition of Cathir, the art of temple dancers. A complex and beautiful art originally only performed by women, Bharatanatyam is now practiced by men, women, Hindu, and non-Hindu alike. It has gained widespread popularity through its portrayal in popular Indian films and performances around the world.
Title: Re: The Language of Bharatanatyam
Post by: Jennifer- on January 21, 2009, 11:52:15 PM
(http://www.artists-india.com/i/devyani.jpg)

"For me Bharata Natyam is the art of tuning oneself to the innermost beat of the world."

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Classical_indian_dance_8.jpg)
Title: Re: The Language of Bharatanatyam
Post by: Jennifer- on January 21, 2009, 11:57:55 PM
(http://www.shaktidancesociety.com/images/anusha-fernando.jpg)

The rich
Will make temples for Shiva.
What shall I a poor man do?
My legs are pillars,
The body the shrine,
The head a cupola of gold.
Listen, O lord of the meeting rivers,
Things standing shall fall,
But the moving ever shall stay,

-Basavanna, 10th century poet

Title: Re: The Language of Bharatanatyam
Post by: Jennifer- on January 21, 2009, 11:58:14 PM
Originally called Sadir, Bharata Natyam grew from the temples of South India as a form of spiritual practice. Women, named Deva-Dasis (servants of god) would offer dance as part of the devotional ritual of their temple. Due to its temple roots, the themes of Bharata Natyam are not mundane but focus on the myths and characteristics of divinity. Its repertoire often portrays religious sentiments such as the longing of an individual for the divine. The Indian epics Mahabharta and Ramayana, which describe the activities of the gods, have been commonly used as source material for Bharata Natyam.

In its later history, Bharata Natyam developed under the patronage of kings. The 19th century Tanjore court was particularly influential and four brothers known as the Tanjore quartet are credited with revitalizing the dance though systematizing its technique and composing new music specifically for dance. Another significant period of dance history occurred in the 1930's when visionaries like Rukmini Devi Arundale and E. Krishna Iyer brought Bharata Natyam from the temple to the concert stage.

Today, Bharata Natyam has evolved significantly from its Devadasi roots. Dancers are utilizing material from a vast array of traditions for their dance and looking at traditional texts with a fresh perspective. Despite such innovations, the Deva-Dasi roots of devotion, discipline and religious ecstasy are still intrinsic elements of Bharata Natyam.
Title: This is my greatest desire: without fail,
Post by: Jennifer- on January 22, 2009, 12:01:33 AM
This is my greatest desire: without fail,
One day you’ll show yourself to us,
My father with locks twisted
like the flames of a lighted fire
The place where you dance, in full night,
Over the high flames…

-Arputa Tiruvantati, 14th century poet
Title: Re: This is my greatest desire: without fail,
Post by: Jennifer- on January 22, 2009, 12:05:56 AM
Quote from: Sky on January 22, 2009, 12:01:33 AM
This is my greatest desire: without fail,
One day you’ll show yourself to us,
My father with locks twisted
like the flames of a lighted fire
The place where you dance, in full night,
Over the high flames…

-Arputa Tiruvantati, 14th century poet

I love this.. Ive just reread it 4 times..

Namaste'
Title: Re: This is my greatest desire: without fail,
Post by: tangerine dream on January 22, 2009, 05:44:19 AM
Quote from: Sky on January 22, 2009, 12:05:56 AM
I love this.. Ive just reread it 4 times..

Namaste'

 :-*
'Tis beautiful.
Title: Re: The Language of Bharatanatyam
Post by: nichi on January 22, 2009, 07:05:56 AM
"Chakra"
http://www.youtube.com/v/8_KJfUgQlxk&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_KJfUgQlxk&NR=1

Film "Chakra" symbolically tells the story of creation. This story is in Vedas - ancient Indian sacred manuscripts. These are perhaps the most ancient ones in the world. The word "chakra", in Sanskrit, means "wheel" and is used in such concepts as "wheel of knowledge", "wheel of wisdom", "wheel of life". The symbol of the wheel of life denotes the idea of perpetual evolutionary (spiral) movement of life with return to initial state. The act of creation can be imagined as an act of "setting the wheel in motion" by spiritual power of God. In the film, you can see symbols of four metaphysic elements - air, water, fire and earth - everything have been created from them. Visualisation of ancient manuscript is combined with abhinaya - language of gestures used in Indian classical dance.


Title: Re: The Language of Bharatanatyam
Post by: Michael on February 04, 2009, 07:11:30 PM
definitely my favourite dance form, but perhaps that is because of how I was introduced to it - by sheer chance in Madras just before we left the country, we met a man who was going to a graduation performance, so we went along. The dancer was about 16, and I was transported!

I have never seen a better performance since.