✦ What is Bharatanatyam?
Bharatanatyam is the oldest classical dance form of India. It originated in the southern state of Tamil Nadu and has evolved over a period of 2000 years. It is considered one of the most graceful, intricate and sophisticated dance forms of India.
Bharata-natyam is named so after the sage Bharata who is said to have written Natya-Shastra - the ultimate encyclopedia guide for dramatic story-telling. Natya-Shastra's many chapters contain detailed treatments of all the diverse arts that are embodied in the classical Indian concept of the drama, including dance, music, poetics, and general aesthetics. Its primary importance lies in its justification of Indian drama as a vehicle of religious enlightenment.
Some of the components of the dance form include:
Hasta-Mudras (hand gestures). There are said to be over a 100 hand gestures
Adavus (body postures and movements)
Abhinaya (emotive expressions)
✦ What is Arangetram?
The word Arangetram means 'climbing the stage' in Tamil. Once a dancer has completed training, they should have an understanding of classical music and the many aspects of dancing. Arangetram marks the debut performance of a student in front of an audience showing off his/her learning and skills from several years of rigorous training under her Guru.
A Bharatnatyam performance typically is made up of several sections:
Alarippu - The performance commences with Alarippu, which is an invocation thanking gods and the guru, seeking their blessing. It is also like a warm-up before the actual dance starts.
Jatisvaram - Then follows Jatisvaram, in which melody is added to the dance. The drums begin the Carnatic music rendition and dancers synchronize body movements to the beats.
Shabdam - It is the addition of expressed words to the dance.
Varnam - This is usually the longest piece of the performance and is highlight of the entire dance. There are expression and footwork in this stage. The dancer narrates the story with hand and body movements. It is also a test of the dancer's endurance.
Padam - here, Abhinaya (expressions) is added. The music lightens and the dance becomes more engrossed.
Tillana - This is the climax section of the dance and is typically packed with high energy movements.
‘Mangalam’. Though it is not a part of the typical dance routine, this marks the conclusion with the dancer seeking the blessings of everyone around.
✦ What are directions to the venue?
The address to the Green Brook Middle School auditorium is 132 Jefferson Ave, Green Brook Township, NJ 08812. Please use the separate auditorium entrance towards the back of the building, the front doors will be locked.
✦ Is there a dress code?
Although we encourage you to come in your fine Indian ethnic wear, feel free to dress in anything you feel beautiful and comfortable in.
✦ Is it a formal event?
As in the case of any performance, we respectfully ask that the audience maintain concert etiquette while in the auditorium. Please do not take photography or videos of the performance as these are artistic material.