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Bharatnatyam

Introduction

Antiquity

Techinique

Music

Costume & Jewelry

Shlokas

Dancers & Institutes

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Important Shlok�s
Abhinaya Darpanam Shlok�

Aangikam Bhuvanamyasya Vaachikam Sarva Vaangmayam
Aahaaryam Chandrataaraadi Tam Numaha Saatvikam Shivam
Meaning:
We bow to the pure Shiva whose body is the universe, whose speech is the universal language and whose ornaments are the moon and stars.

Javaha sthiratvam rekhaa cha bhramari drushtirshramaha
Medhaa shraddha vacho geetam paatrapraanaa dasha smrutaahaa
Meaning:
Agility, steadiness, rekha, practice in bhramari movement, the glancing eye, endurance, memory, devotion (to her art), (clear) speech and good singing power are the ten essential qualities of a dancing girl.

Aasyenaalambayed geetam hastenaartham pradarshayet
Chakshurbhyaam darshayed bhaavam paadaabhyaam taalamaacharet
Meaning:
The dancer should sing with her mouth, express the meaning (of the song) by hand (gestures), show psychological states (expressions) by her eyes and beat time (show rhythm) with her feet.

Yato hastastato drishtiryato drishtistato manaha
Yato manastato bhaavo yato bhaavastato rasaha
Meaning:
Whither the hand goes, the glance follows
Whither the glance leads, the mind follows
Whither the mind goes, there the mood follows
Whither the mood goes, there is real flavour (Rasa) born.'

Other Important Shlokas

Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu Gururdevo Maheshwaraha
Gurussaakshaatparam Brahma Tasmai Shreegurve Namaha
Meaning:
Tradition has given a great place for Guru (Preceptor) in human life. The Guru is Brahma in creating Knowledge, he is Vishnu the protector of our Intellectual faculty and he is Maheshwara the destroyer or the despeller of our Ignorance. He is Para Brahma (The Supreme Being) in binding us all with the feeling of universal oneness hence I offer my salutation to him.

Karagre Vasate Lakshmi Karmadhye Saraswati
Karmule Tu Govindaha Prabhaate Karadarshanam
Meaning:
Goddess Lakshmi is the symbol of wealth. Goddess Saraswati represents knowledge. Govinda is the God of Power. Hand is the symbol of human effort. So by placing the three divine powers on the tips, in the middle and at the base of the hand, this shloka suggests that all the divinity lies in human effort. Thus this shloka supports the need of human effort and self confidence.

Samudravasane Devi Parvatastanamandale
Vishnupatni Namastubhyam Paadasparshane Kshamasva Me
Meaning:
The Earth is as great as our Mother. Hence it is called Mother Land. The food, the shelter, the water and the air all that we need we get from the Earth only. She fondles the mankind with motherly affection. So this humble prayer of gratitude is offered to her.

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