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Bharatanatyam is a highly stylized and technical dance form that requires years of training and practice to master. The dance is characterized by intricate footwork, graceful hand gestures, and expressive facial expressions, all of which are used to tell stories, convey emotions, and create a rich and complex dance experience.

The dance typically begins with the dancer offering a prayer or invocation to a deity or guru, and may be accompanied by live music and singing. The dance itself consists of several elements, including:

1. Nritta: Pure dance movements that focus on rhythm and coordination of the body, including footwork, spins, and jumps.

2. Nritya: Expressive dance movements that convey emotions and tell stories, including hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language.

3. Abhinaya: The art of expression through facial expressions and mime, which is used to convey the meaning and emotion of the lyrics or story being told.

The dance is performed in a series of compositions or items, each with its own distinct rhythm, mood, and style. These compositions may be based on traditional stories or poems, or may be created by the dancer or choreographer to showcase their own artistic style and expression.

Overall, Bharatanatyam is a complex and intricate dance form that requires both technical skill and artistic expression. It is a powerful means of storytelling and communication, and is deeply valued and revered by many Indians and people around the world.

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Bharatanatyam has a distinctive style of costume that is an important part of the dance form. The costume typically consists of a saree or a long skirt and a blouse, along with various pieces of jewelry and accessories.

The saree or skirt is usually made of silk or other fine fabrics, and is pleated and draped in a specific way to allow for ease of movement and fluidity during the dance. The blouse is typically tight-fitting and may be adorned with embroidery, sequins, or other embellishments.

Jewelry is an important part of the Bharatanatyam costume and is worn to accentuate the movements of the dancer. This may include earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets, as well as ornate hair accessories such as flowers or jewelry.

The makeup and hair styling are also important components of the Bharatanatyam costume. Dancers typically wear heavy makeup, including bold eyeliner and lipstick, to enhance their facial expressions and ensure that their expressions are visible from a distance. Hair is typically styled in a bun or other updo to keep it out of the dancer's face and allow for ease of movement.

Overall, the Bharatanatyam costume is designed to be elegant, graceful, and traditional, while also allowing for the full range of movement and expression required by the dance form. It is an important part of the dance experience and is an essential component of the Bharatanatyam tradition.

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Bharatanatyam is usually accompanied by live music, which typically includes a combination of percussion, stringed, and wind instruments.

The primary percussion instrument used in Bharatanatyam is the mridangam, a barrel-shaped drum that is played with the hands. The mridangam provides the rhythmic foundation for the dance, and its intricate rhythms and patterns are an essential part of the dance experience.

Other percussion instruments that may be used in Bharatanatyam include the ghatam, a clay pot that is played with the hands, and the kanjira, a small tambourine-like instrument that is also played with the hands.

Stringed instruments such as the veena, a plucked string instrument, and the violin, a bowed string instrument, may also be used in Bharatanatyam, providing melodic accompaniment to the dance.

Wind instruments such as the flute and the nadaswaram, a traditional South Indian wind instrument, may also be used in Bharatanatyam, adding another layer of musical richness and complexity to the performance.

Overall, the music and instruments used in Bharatanatyam play a critical role in creating the mood, atmosphere, and rhythm of the dance, and help to enhance the overall experience for both the performers and the audience.

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Bharatanatyam is important for several reasons.

Firstly, it is a highly expressive and dynamic dance form that allows dancers to convey complex emotions, stories, and ideas through movement, gestures, and facial expressions. It is a powerful means of storytelling and communication that can connect people across language, cultural, and geographic boundaries.

Secondly, Bharatanatyam is an important part of India's cultural heritage and identity. It has a long and rich history, and has been practiced for centuries in temples, courts, and other settings across India. As such, it is an important symbol of India's artistic and cultural traditions, and is deeply valued by many Indians as a way of connecting with their heritage.

Thirdly, Bharatanatyam is an art form that requires discipline, dedication, and mastery. Dancers must undergo years of rigorous training and practice to perfect their technique and develop their artistry. As such, Bharatanatyam is a powerful means of personal and artistic development, helping dancers to cultivate skills, confidence, and a sense of self-expression.

Overall, Bharatanatyam is an important and revered dance form that is cherished by many Indians and people around the world for its beauty, expressiveness, and cultural significance.

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Bharatanatyam is traditionally performed by women, but in modern times, men also perform this dance form. It is a highly stylized and technical dance form that requires years of training and practice to master, and is typically performed by professional dancers.In addition to professional dancers, Bharatanatyam is also learned and performed by many students and amateurs, as a way of connecting with Indian culture and heritage. It is often taught in dance schools and cultural centers both in India and abroad.

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The history of Bharatanatyam can be traced back to the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu, where it was performed by Devadasis, or temple dancers, as a form of worship. The dance form evolved over time and was influenced by various dynasties and rulers, including the Cholas, the Pandiyas, and the Nayakas.

Rukmini Devi Arundale, a prominent Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer, founded the Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai in 1936, which played a key role in reviving and promoting Bharatanatyam as a classical dance form.

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Sharada Kouthuvam by Sanjena Ramesh - Sridevi Nrithyalaya - Bharathanatyam Dance