Bharatnatyam dancers are the gifted artists of dance form that originated in Tamil Nadu. Bharatnatyam is also the National Dance of India. This dance form is a 20th century reconstruction of Cathir, the art of temple dancers.
Bharatnatyam dance performances are usually accompanied by the classical Carnatic music. The performance of Bharatnatyam dancers includes three particular techniques, namely Abhinaya or Natya, which is the dramatic art of story telling in Bharatnatyam, Nritta or pure dance movements and Nritya that is the combination of abhinaya and nritta. Bharatnatyam dancers also perform fire-dance, which is the mystic demonstration of the metaphysical element of fire in the human body. It is one of the five major styles (one for each element) that include dance forms like Odissi (element of water) and Mohiniattam (element of air). The movements of an authentic Bharatnatyam dancer usually resemble the movements of a dancing flame.
Bharatnatyam dancers perform the dance style in one of the most sublime and classical postures. Bharatnatyam is considered to be about 2000 years old and it follows the principles of Natya Shastra. In this dance form the Bharatnatyam dancers make considerable use of hand-and-eye movements to express different emotions and gestures. Bharatnatyam is a term derived from the four most important elements of dance. The Bharatnatyam dancers wear a lovely costume. The original Bharatnatyam costume did not cover most of the dancers` bodies and severely restricted the dance movements. However, with passing time several varieties of Bharatnatyam costumes have come up. The modern costumes of the Bharatnatyam dancers project the dancer`s sukshma sharira in the material world.
Another striking element of a Bharatnatyam dancer is the jewellery. Bharatnatyam dancers wear a unique set of jewellery known as "Temple Jewellery" during the performance. The accompanying music is in the Carnatic style of South India. The languages of South India like Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Sanskrit are traditionally used in Bharatnatyam. The professional Bharatnatyam dancers must demonstrate certain qualities. According to religious tests, the ten essentials of the Bharatnatyam dancers include Javaha (Agility), Rekha (graceful lines), Vacho (good speech), Drishti (glance), Sthirathvam (Steadiness), Bhramari (balance in pirouettes), Medha (intelligence), Shramaha (hard work), Shraddha (devotion), and Geetam (singing ability).
According to Abhinayadarpanam (one of the two most authoritative texts on Bharatanatyam), a Bharatnatyam dancer (patra) must possess the qualities including youthful, beautiful, slender, with large eyes, with self-confidence, witty disposition, pleasing attitude and knows how to dance to the time (thalam), with splendid costumes, and of a happy disposition. According to Natya Shastra, the qualities required in a female Bharatnatyam dancer or narthaki are beautiful limbs, is familiar with the sixty-four arts and crafts (kala), clever, free from female diseases, courteous in behaviour, who excel by their beauty, always bold, inured to hard work, skilled in dancing and songs, free from idleness, capable of practising various arts and crafts, and others. Thus Bharatnatyam is a blend of music, emotion, rhythm and expression that is well displayed by the Bharatnatyam dancers. The dancers have to be accustomed with all the traditional aspects of classical dance like the mudras (hand positions), abhinaya (facial expressions), and padams (narrative dances).
Traditionally, Bharatnatyam dancers have been nurturing this dance style in the temples of south India. With the passage of time, this dance style is performed on stage across the nation. Originally performed only by female temple dancers, Bharatnatyam fell into disrepute but it was revived in its original purity during the late 19th century. Today Bharatnatyam is regarded as one of the well-accomplished tradition and heritage dance styles that is practiced and performed throughout the world.
One of the most eminent Bharatnatyam dancers, who has immensely contributed to the development of Bharatnatyam, was E Krishna Iyer of Chennai. He conducted the first All India Music Conference in Madras in 1927. As a result of the conference, The Music Academy was born in 1928. He served as the secretary of this academy for almost a decade. Some of the eminent proponents of Bharatnatyam are Pandanallur Jayalakshmi, Guru Meenakshisundaram Pillai, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Jeevaratnam, Dance Queen Balasaraswathi, Smt. Rukhmini Devi Arundale, Ram Gopal and so on.
Some other noted Bharatnatyam dancers of contemporary India include Leela Rammohan Rao, who bagged the honour of being trained by the advocators of the traditional old dance form; Srinidhi Chidambaram is an eminent Bharatnatyam dancer who by profession is a doctor but possess an innate talent in dance; Srekala Bharath is considered to be the adherence of the Vazhvoor style of dance; Priyadarshini Govind is the highest award winner of the "Kalaimamani" by the state of Tamil Nadu and so on. The Indian Bharatnatyam dancers have been renowned across the world and have not only made their country proud, they have also showcased creativity and rich Indian culture to the rest of the world.
Acknowledging the talent of contemporary Indian Bharatnatyam dancer Nalini Prakash, the government of India has conferred the Scholarship for Bharatnatyam many a times. Priya Murle can easily be regarded as a multifaceted personality who has carved a niche in the domain for herself. Besides being an illustrious Bharatnatyam dancer, A. Lakshman is also a trained Carnatic musician. Kumari Kavitha Ramu has bagged the honour to be trained under the famous Kalaimamani Srimathi K.J.Sarasa. Manjula Lusti Narasimhan is a classicist who has established an impressive career spanning almost twenty-two years, with her graceful and gifted Bharatnatyam repertoire. Urmila Sathyanarayanan has been considered the most divine and devoted Bharatnatyam exponent. Uma Muralikrishna is a widely acclaimed and respected Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancer who have a solid base and training in her respective field.
The Indian Bharatnatyam dancers usually start their training at a tender age and grow up to be proficient dancers, owing to the contribution of their Gurus. Swarnamailya Ganesh is the youngest recipient of `Yuvakala Bharati` by the Bharat Kalachar, Swarnamailya Ganesh is a classical dancer of Bharatanatyam and Odissi. Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala is a significant Bharatanatyam dancer who has established `Kalapradarshini` Trust. A highly skilled dancer, Suryanarayana Murthy is attempting to shape his cherished dream in Chennai through his dance schools, "Bharata Kshetra." Deepa Ganesh have performed for more than two decades and won many accolades as recognition of her talent. The Bharatnatyam dancers are skilled personalities who create a vivid vision of their story in front of their spectators. Malathi Iyengar is one such highly skilled dancer, who has been regarded as the visionary in the domain of arts. Ganga Thampi has also contributed her creativity, skillfulness and astonishing perseverance to the sphere of Bharatnatyam.
Jayashree Rajagopalan`s main aim is to propagate the ancient dramatic technique of the Natya Sastra known as Marga, which was restored to consciousness by her Guru Dr. Padma Subhramanium, both nationally and globally. Jetty Roels, though Belgian origin, is a refined Indian classical dance performer and also serves as the visiting professor of "Dance History" at the University of Gent. The founder director of the performing art centre, Kalaanjali Meenakshi Ganesan performed her arengetram (dance debut) at the tender age of 13 years. `Sri Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum`, `Buddham Saranam Gachchami`, `Jonathan Livingston Seagull`, `What About Me?", are the critically acclaimed Bharatnatyam production by Ananda Shankar Jayant.
An eminent Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancer Lakshmi VN has established service-oriented organization called NATYA that is involved in promoting and staging up-coming talents. Malavika Sarukkai has been esteemed for her unique style of incorporating the modernity to the traditional art form of Bharatnatyam. Dance is a `Tapasya` to the eminent Bharatnatyam dancer Neena Prasad. Namita Bodaji is an eminent dancer and a yoga practitioner who holds the title of "Singar Mani". Rajika Puri is an Indian Classical Bharatnatyam dancer, who has carved a niche for her in the western stage. Radha Dutta has established her dance and music academy "Kalalayam". At the academy she teaches Bharatnatyam, Mohiniattam, folk dances (including Bangladeshi and South Indian folk styles). An illustrious Bharatnatyam dancer, Shoba Natarajan at the tender age of eight years has performed her arangetram under the able tutelage of legendary Kamala.
A prominent Indian Classical dancer Satyavani Iswara attempted to spread Indian culture and tradition through the promising Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam dancers. An eminent Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancer, Shreelata Suresh at the tender age of six years, Shreelata Suresh began her training under the able tutelage of Vyjayantimala Bali. Sucharita Dutta is an eminent Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali and Kuchipudi dancer. Through her splendid performances, Sudha Chandra Sekhar has wooed the dancer-lovers all across the world. The Indian Bharatnatyam dancers are reputed personalities all across the globe. They speak of India`s tradition, aesthetics, culture and heritage through their spellbinding performance.
