Different Styles of Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam has some range of styles that is an absolute delight to watch. This folk dance of Tamil Nadu is spectacular because of its grace, rhythm, and communication through dance. But does Bharatanatyam have only one style? The answer is “No”. Many different styles or "types of Bharatanatyam" exist, and each holds something uniquely different about them. Why not take a trip down these interesting styles? These styles have added to the uniqueness of Indian culture.

What is Bharatanatyam All About?

Before we explore different forms, let me first explain what Bharatanatyam is. Bharatanatyam is also a classical Indian folk dance that combines expressive dance with elaborate footsteps and costumes. It often portrays stories in Indian mythology and literature.

The three main elements that this dance is comprising of are known as:

Nritta: It is a pure dance that is concerned with intricate footwork and rhythmic patterns.

Nritya: This is an expressive dance where most of the emotions and stories are conveyed.

Natya: This is the dramatic form of dance and in this, the dancers present characters and stories, wherein they express their emotions.

Different Styles of Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam has evolved over the centuries, and numerous styles have been formulated based on the regional, guru, and school traditions. Let us look into the different styles of Bharatanatyam in detail.

Tanjore Style

This is also one of the most ancient and traditional styles of Bharatanatyam. The Tanjore style originated because of 4 “Tanjore Quartet” brothers who choreographed and created their own uniqueness. It is a different dance of bharatanatyam and that is the reason it is called tanjore style. It is particularly characterized by graceful, smooth overall body movements, detailed footwork, and a lot of expressions on the face.

Features: The features for this respected style of dance includes focus on rhythmic foot movements, great expressions with graceful hand gestures, maintaining strong and steady postures to give a thrilling performance.

Kalakshetra Style

The style gets its name from the famous Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai, founded by Rukmini Devi Arundale. This style has a very disciplined outlook, with attention to purity and precision.

Features: The Kalakshetra style is characterized by clean lines, clearly defined movements, and a firm rhythmic base. It has precise footwork and a definite set of choreographic patterns. The style aims at simplicity and dignity of expression.

Pandanallur Style

Coming from the Pandannallur village in TamilNadu, the Pandannallur style is highly traditional and classical. This style is filled with great color and expressive content.

Features: The style consists of intricate footwork, complex step sequences, and the dedication of the use of facial expressions. It mainly includes traditional songs and an element of presentation that tells a story. The moves are vibrant and dynamic .

Vazhavoor Style

On the other hand, the Vazhavoor style reflects the traditional form for Bharatanatyam. It is more popular for its elegant movements and fine expressions in storytelling. The smooth, flowing motions displayed by the dancers makes the dance look more grand and beautiful. The facial expressions along with perfect eye movements helps the dancers to communicate the stories quite well with the audience.

Features: The Vazhavoor style has several distinctive features namely, the elegant and fluid movements, excellent facial expressions to communicate deep emotions, firm footwork, a moderate pace to explore fully the movements and expressions, to keep the performance technically flawless and keep the viewers engaged at an emotional level.

Melattur Style

The Melattur style doesn't expect the bharatanatyam dancers to stamp their feet hard on the floor. Instead, it expects the performers to use the salangai (ankle bells) in a more refined way. This approach creates a wider and soothing range of sounds and puts the spotlight on the rhythm.

Features: The key features of Melattur Style includes its energetic movements, bold gestures for storytelling, proficient facial expressions to communicate emotions, and a balanced pace to display a sensational performance.

Different Types of Bharatanatyam Costumes:

Costumes play a vital role in Bharatanatyam. Use of costumes puts more focus on dancing and makes the dances look more appealing. Below are the different types of Bharatanatyam costumes that are used generally:

Traditional Bharatanatyam Costume

In this type of Bharatanatyam costume, a saree is regarded as the mode of wear for moving in a particular fashion so that the ease while moving is provided. It is fundamentally of silk and involves embroidery work.

Components: The dress is a one-piece dress with a pleated skirt combined with a matching blouse of the same color. The dress is complemented by an ornamental belt called kunchi and a headdress. The costume is generally combined with traditional jewelry neck pieces, earrings, and bangles.

Tanjore Costume

The Bharatanatyam Tanjore style costume includes a colorful saree or half-saree with gold embroidery, a fitted blouse, and a decorative belt called a "kandangi." Temple jewelry and a headpiece were added to this attire to enhance grace and elegance in a dancer.

Components: The main components of Tanjore costume includes a Silk saree in shades like green, red or blue, skirt matching the saree, short-sleeved or sleeveless blouse, a long piece of odhni worn over the shoulder tucked into the saree or skirt, jewelry and hair accessories. 

Vazhuvoor Costume

Traditional, bright and colorful costumes of Vazhavoor style decked with dazzling necklaces, anklets, bangles and other jewelleries adds to the pleasing look of the dancer. They also wear a peculiar headpiece known as a thala-saman. The tiny bells on ghungroos worn on the ankle make a rhythmic sound while dancing. The movement, the music and the colorful costumes gives an appealing performance.

Components: To add glow to this graceful dance, the dancer is dressed in silk saree with pleats, skirt, blouse, jewelry. Ankle bells, and striking makeup. 

Kalakshetra Costume

In the Kalakshetra style, the costumes only slightly differ from traditional ones, most likely having fewer designs and decorations on them. The prime importance is given in showing a classical feel and understated look.

Components: The costume should have a simple draping style with fewer pleats, a plain blouse, and less jewelry. The idea should be to carry the costume to give a classic and elegant look.

Pandanallur Costume

In the Pandannaullur style, the costumes are heavy in embroidery work with most critical utilization of exceedingly vibrant colors. The Dancers wear lots of jewelry with the exquisite saree that matches the moves of the dance.

Components: The outfit for this dance style includes a very detailed work of embroidery with colors referred to in a saree, a decorated belt, and heavy jewelry. The dress is ideally designed for the performer to go through with their fast, flowy movements.

Melattur Costume

The Melattur style features eye-catching and gorgeous costumes. Performers don vibrant silk sarees with intricate borders and designs made to dance in. They also put on classic jewelry such as necklaces, earrings, and ankle bells known as ghungroos. These bells create a jingling sound as the dancer moves, which adds to the thrill of the show.

Components: The components of the Melattur style costume match with the Vazhavoor style costume.

Sadir Costume

An ornate and traditional dress that reflects the historical, as well as religious touch to this dance performance.

Components: Millennium Song has a heavily ornamented sari and a very unique headpiece. It also adds some traditional styled jewelry. The overall look is to bring out the devotional look in the Sadir style.

Why Are There Different Styles?

The different Bharatanatyam styles have come into being because, over time, the many regional influences that were brought into play, different teachers, and slow alterations in the practice of the dance. They all have unique qualities which only make the form more diverse and deepened.

By being introduced to the various Bharatanatyam styles, dancers and audiences both learn to appreciate the richness and diversity the dance form extends. Be it the traditional Tanjore style, the strict Kalakshetra style, or the more vibrant Pandannallur style, each of them has a unique way of learning and experiencing this classical style of dance.

How can kids Learn and Explore Different Bharatanatyam Styles

Children interested in learning more about Bharatanatyam styles can explore them in the following ways:

Take classes: Find out about Bharatanatyam classes or workshops that are situated close to the child’s locality. Many dance schools offer tuition in all the different styles.

Watch performances: To have a feel of how a particular style is expressed in each case, attend live performances or watch videos online. This should include characteristic movements as well as costumes.

Bring out a read and research: Read books and consult articles looking at the style and history of Bharatanatyam.

Talk to Dancers: You can reach out to any Bharatanatyam dancer you may know about his or her experiences in other styles. They are storehouses (both literally and figuratively) of priceless information that offer great tips.

Conclusion

Bharatanatyam is an exquisite and varied form of classical dance characterized by distinct styles with their own flavors and expressions. In this there exist the opulent Tanjore style, the disciplined Kalakshetra style, and the vibrant Pandannallur style, each adding its special charm to this ancient art form. The types of Bharatanatyam costumes and its jewelries enhance the visual appeal of a performance and add authenticity to this classical form of dance.

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