Bharathanatyam

                                   Nattuvangam  Nattuvangam is an instrument used to play beats for the steps in Bharatnatyam. Nattuvanar is the person responsible for reciting the beats or songs. The Nattuvanars had their origin from Chola empire in 19th century. In olden days devadasis performed this dance. When the Devadasi system got abolished, the dance form also got diminishing. Krishna Iyer was the key person in raising the social status of the dance form among the upper caste girls. They then showed liking for Bharatnatyam and it started becoming famous. In earlier times men played nattuvangam and never danced. Rukmani Devi Arundale was the first female teacher and female Nattuvanar to change this tradition. She also taught men to dance. The essential aspect of Bharatnatyam lies in the coordination between the Nattuvanar and Bharatnatyam dance. Nattuvangam plays more important role in ...

Bharatnatyam has certain rules laid down in a book called  Natya Shastra which was written by Bharata Muni. This book tells us how to use our hands,legs, neck, head and eyes in a dance. We have ASAMYUTA HASTAS(Two hand gestures) that are 28 in number and SAMYUTHA HASTAS(One hand gestures) that are 24 in number. Each of the hastas/Mudras are used to denote different ideas, thoughts and objects.   There are different gestures practiced. That is: DRISHTI BHEDA  SHIRO BHEDA  GREEVA BHEDA      Drishti means eyes. So Drishti Beda refers to movements of eye balls. We use these movements in daily life but they also have their own identification. There are a total of Nine movements of eyes in Drishti Bheda.They are used when we express a particular bhava. Shiro means head. So Shiro Bheda refers to head movements. We use some of these movements in everyday life. Shiro Bheda also includes bhava while doing it. There are a total of nine movements in  Shi...