Bharatnatyam Style

Bharatnatyam is a subtle as well as complex form of dance from the state of Tamilnad. Bharatnatyam is a dynamic, earthly and very clear dance style. It has distinctive features and a variety of motions with emphasis on foot stamping, jumps and turns. The main figures of the art form are balanced poses with stretched hands and legs that add certain linearity to the dance. “Beauty and power, slow-downs and speed-ups, pure dance and pantomime are equally felt in this dance”.

Melattur Style

The Melattur style is based on expressive acting as well as spontaneous movements. The movements in this style require a high degree of flexibility and they emphasize on sringara bhakti. The style stresses on the fluid variations of patterned korvais, and dramatic characterizations.

Pandanallur Style

This style focuses on deep sitting positions, which makes it quite difficult to perform. It is a purely feminine dance style which is based on poetry as well as padams, performed in slow and rhythmic movements. It has three levels :

• deep sitting positions on the ground

• movements on standing positions

• jumping and moving the body in great speed while dancing.

Vazhuvoor Style

The Vazhuvoor style breaks the monotony of the dance movements with soft facial expressions of subtle acting (abhinaya). The movements in this style flow smoothly with rare abrupt movements. The dancer’s body from the waist up is slightly bent forward and leaps are introduced into every jati, in order to create a suspense effect.

Kalakshetra Style

This is a modern style of Bharatnatyam and a simplified form of Pandanallur style. Though the style has hints at the authentic devadasis style of ancient times, it is still a relatively recent introduction. The style mainly focuses on Angika (hand movements). The hand movements are delicately based on the words of the lyrics and placing the hand in an exact position even during narration. It is known to be the most beautiful of all styles of bharatanatyam.

I learn the Kalakshetra style of Bharatnatyam. I have always learned the Kalakshetra style of dance.

There are many other Indian classical dance forms along with Bharatnatyam. The dance forms below also originate from the natya shastra, like Bharatnatyam.

Kathak - Kathak originates from Uttar Pradesh and is one of the eight forms of traditional classical dances of India. Famous Kathak dances are usually derived from ‘Katha’ or story-tellers, people who narrate stories. These stories are portrayed through expressions, foot work, hand gestures, and overall body movements.

Kathakali - Kathakali is known to be one of the most attracting classical Indian dance-drama’s. The dance is performed by well trained artists. Kathakali originated from Kerala in the 17th century and became popular throughout India. The attractive make-up, detailed hand gestures as well as the elaborate costumes of the characters along with the body movements accompanied by playback music is very beautiful and amazing to watch.

Kuchipudi - The classical Indian dance form originates from Andhra Pradesh and has got its name from the Kuchipudi village near the Bay of Bengal. Kuchipudi is the one of the most popular traditional dance forms in South India. It is performed along with instruments such as the violin, flute and the tambura. The characters first introduce themselves by the dharavu.

Manipuri - The Manipuri dance form is one of the major classical dance forms of India and it originates from the north-eastern state of Manipur. Most of the Manipuri themes are based on the Raslila act of Radha and Krishna. The dances are purely religious along with spiritual experience.

Odissi - Odissi known to be the oldest surviving dance form in India and it originates from the state of Orissa. The dance form is known for its style, the independent movement of head, chest as well as pelvis or torso. The beautiful Odissi Dance is a traditional and ancient style of dance performed in temples.

Mohiniattam - Mohiniyattam is another classical dance style which originates from Kerala and is one of the eight principal Indian classical dances. Mohiniyattam is a popular dance form especially in Kerala and it is performed with subtle gestures and footwork.