I appreciate Bharatanatyam for its grace and purest form of expression. “Dance is one of the highest form of love offering and worship.” I heard that from my Satguru, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami— a dancer Himself. Over the years I have attended numerous Bharatanatyam performances, and of them, I ardently watched through my lens to capture moments that moves me. My poem below can do no justice to the tenacity and vigor of the time and passion invested by the proponents of this sacred dance.
The Grace of Bharatanatyam
The grace of Bharatanatyam, an art form so divine, arise from Tamil Nadu, where it began and shone.
Intricate footwork, symbolic gestures in hand, a dance of devotion, a form of poetry in motion.
Its foundation stems threefold, Nritta, Nritya, Natya, to behold, each bit has a unique flair, a story to tell, a message to share.
With every movement, a tale unfolds, facial utterances convey emotions untold, from joy to sorrow, anger to love, spiritual expression emantes within and from above.
Rooted in ancient Hindu history, a divine connection, a sacred sight to witness, performed in temples and homes alike, a dance that ascends us in a spiritual hike.
Banned by the British, but it survived, a testament to the passion and drive, of those who refused to let it die, and now it soars, reaching the sky.
Bharatanatyam, a dance so divine, a journey tested through time, a celebration of art, culture, and tradition, deserving always the highest admiration.