Bharatanatyam Dancers

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[asianculturalcouncil]

from Gamaka (2007), choreographed and performed by Shantala Shivalingappa. Photo by CP-Satyajit.

Shantala Shivalingappa ACC grantee 2010, 2012, Dance. Traveled from India to U.S.

[ewiggluck]

#tbt #debutdays #goodstuff #goodtimes #idiggs #imissit #iloveit #dance #bharathanatyam #kuchipudi #fun

[bharatanatyamdancers]

One of my beautiful dance sisters on her Arangetram/Ranga Pravesam years ago!

[raktimchanda]

Pushpanjali

[bharatanatyamdancers]

Kuchipudi

[jyotivyasphotography]

With the very beautiful and talented @dakshinavaidyanathan Photo shoot done at Khajuraho temple for Khajuraho Dance Festival'14 #photographer #dance #classicaldance #beautiful #throwback #temples #sunset #dancer #dancephotography #portfolio #jyotivyasphotography #mudra (at Khajuraho)

[avatarpakurooo-blog]

Sathvika Shankar

[radindia]

Classical Indian dance

[bharatanatyamdancers]

Namaskaram

[radindia]

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Salangai

[bharatanatyamandballet]

Arangetram

[bahamabhava]

Rukmini Devi

[badass-bharat-deafmuslim-artista]

Rukmini Devi (1904-1986), one of the most important Indians of the 20th century who helped revive the dying art of Bharatnatyam (classical Indian dance) and brought it to the mainstream, helping give the dance a newfound respect by the public.

[dreamytears]

Prior to the renaissance bharatanatyam dance’ name had been tarnished by british imperialism. What was once a sacred traditional art of dance that empowered women financially,economically, and politically was degraded into “prostitution” because white men didn’t think women dancing on stage was proper and made it illegal for them to practice their profession. Bharatanatyam dancers were not only extremely skillful in a grueling dance form, but were also economically independent from men and had freedom to choose if they want to have children. Their line of wealth was passed down matrilineally. It takes many many years and strenuous hard work and perseverance to fully master this beautiful dance form. Part of its abolishment was the british’ attempt at trying to erase hindu culture. These performances are widely practiced and you can probably watch one in NYC on any night just do a quick goole search.

[avatarpakurooo-blog]

This White guy performed Bharatha Natyam in a Metro Station in USA. His Reply to the Haters was Awesome.!

This amazing performance was posted on facebook by an audience, then the video went viral. People started commenting that Classical Dance has to be performed in Temples and sacred places…

An amazing response that has taught me a lot.  

[bharatanatyamdancers]

What is a sacred place? Is a living room, public park, or museum sacred? I have performed classical dance to a variety of audiences in all three of those places. Indian classical arts are being performed worldwide by all ethnic groups in all types of spaces. A performance space can be anywhere that you are welcome to perform freely.

This talented man (Latvian dancer named Gaura Nataraj I think!) is obviously trained, in full costume, and performing a traditional item. He is not doing fusion, disrespecting Bharatanatyam or Hinduism in any way, and not charging a ticket fee. In my opinion, he is doing nothing inappropriate.

I’m from NYC, and go to Jackson Heights a lot (which has a large South Asian population). But I meet South Asians (yes even fellow Indians!) very often who don’t know much about Indian classical dance -- because it’s not part of their life. This dancer is exposing South Indian classical dance to an audience who may not have reason to buy a ticket to see Bharatanatyam in an auditorium somewhere. He is bringing Bharatanatyam to them, at no charge. This doesn’t happen often, and I admire him for his courage and creativity!

I use the subway daily. My commute time is when I put on my headphones, listen to religious music, and pray in my mind. The subway has become a momentary temple ground for me because it’s my daily time to reflect.

A sacred space can be anywhere if you believe that God is everywhere.

[unruly-like-my-hair]

‘Miss Pari’ by Melody Preuitt Mettes

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[idonotgiveacare]

[bharatanatyamdancers]

Perfection.

[salaamnamasteindia]

[bharatanatyamdancers]

So much cuteness going on!

[bharatanatyamdancers]

Do you think that a girl that's Muslim and wears head scarf can dance kathak or bharanatyam?

Absolutely!

In Kathak, the technical dance items are usually performed with a more Islamic style costume called an “Angrakha” which is worn with a scarf (dupatta) to cover the head. In Hindu-based dance items, the dupatta is usually not worn but if it’s part of your faith you can still wear your head scarf.

In Bharatanatyam there is no head scarf, and sometimes you portray characters who wear different head pieces (such as crowns, wigs, etc). Much of the dances are largely Hindu-based. It’s important you find a teacher who is accepting and understanding of your faith too.

Both Bharatanatyam and Kathak are rooted in Hinduism and the story-telling of Hindu mythology. If you feel comfortable performing those stories in regards to your own Islamic faith and traditions, then you can definitely pursue these dances. An encouraging teacher will also embrace your dance interest and respect your beliefs.

[psych-facts]

Close your eyes and imagine the best version of you possible. That’s who you really are, let go of any part of you that doesn’t believe it

— C. Assaad (via psych-facts)

[keralaatheart]

Manju Warrier & Dance