Bharatha Natyam:

A vital factor in communal harmony

by Subashini Pathmanathan

All over the world Bharatha Natyam has gained vast popularity among the people. Altogether seven major popular Indian classical dance forms are available. The major classical dance forms are Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Kathak, Odissi, Mohini Aattam and Manipuri. Almost all the dance forms of oriental dances are directly or indirectly connected to Natya Sastra. Among the seven Indian classical dances, Bharatha Natyam has gained top-most recognition.

Still it is based on the Hindu philosophy, Hindu religion and Tamil culture. Many of the non-Tamil and non-Hindu communities all over the world are very much fascinated by the divine and spiritual dance form.

Bharatha Natyam dancer

Ananda Tandava or Lord Nataraja is the symbol of Bharatha Natyam. Even many Western art lovers visit India and learn the ancient classical art form. They do a lot of research on this divine art. They not only learn the nuances of the dance properly, but also learn the history of the art including Hindu philosophy, temple building structure, temple paintings, and temple sculptures. To master the art one needs to learn the Tamil language and Tamil tradition.

Indian classical dances

Today, Bharatha Natyam has not only attracted the Western world, but also it influences the present generation of Sri Lankan Sinhalese students. Lankan Sinhalese students have their own rich cultural classical dance forms, such as the Kandyan dance and Sabaragamuva dance forms. Yet the non-Tamil students here like to learn the Indian classical dance forms. They are interested in learning Bharatha Natyam, Kathak, Manipuri and Mohini Aattam.

Every year a number of non-Tamil speaking Sinhalese students go to India and learn the Indian classical dances, mainly Bharatha Natyam. Before they go to India, most of them train under Sri Lankan Bharatha Natyam teachers with much enthusiasm, dedication and devotion. Even some of the southern Sri Lankan universities have Bharatha Natyam as a subsidiary subject.

Sinhalese students show a tremendous Guru Bhakthi towards their Gurus. Besides, their Bharatha Natyam standard is quite good because most of them learn their own classical dance forms such as Kandyan dance, before they start Bharatha Natyam training. Kandyan dance is a form based on pure Nirtha movements. The pure movements are very firm and vigorous which lay down the basic foundation for the Bharatha Natyam.

Bharatha Natyam and Kandyan dance forms have certain similarities such as half sitting position, stretching the hands and keeping the hands at the shoulder level. The neck and eye movements follow the hand movements. They are some of the common aspects between the two classical dance forms.

Tamil language

The non-Tamil speaking students also learn the Tamil culture, Tamil language and Hindu mythology. They show a great interest in learning the art and the Tamil Language. Many of the students prefer to learn Bharatha Natyam under Tamil Bharatha Natyam teachers. In a classical Bharatha Natya dance class, Tamil and Sinhalese students learn the art together under the same teacher. Therefore, the classes serve as communal harmony centres.

They share cultural values with one another promoting communal harmony between the two major communities. Even the repertoire of Bharatha Natyam is compiled on the basis of the temple structure. All the Pathams, Varnams, Keerthanams, Jaavalis, Thillanas and even songs are very much devotional. Bharatha Natyam uses the Carnatic music which is mainly in Tamil and Telugu languages.

In a classical Bharatha Natyam recital, where the Tamil and Sinhalese students participate together, the students and their mothers help one another to do the hair dressing, make up, and costumes. When this happens in the green room where children dress up they experience a touch of harmony. Bharatha Natyam promotes communal harmony, mutual understanding and a broad minded attitude in the Sri Lankan society. It augurs well for the future.