Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam (also spelled Bharathanatyam, Bharatnatyam or Bharata Natyam) ( Sanskrit: भारतनाट्यम bʰāratanāṭyam, Tamil:பரதநாட்டியம் ) is a classical dance form originating from Tamil Nadu, a state in Southern India. It owes its current name to Krishna Iyer and later, Rukmini Devi Arundale. “The word Bharata, interpreted as the dance form created by sage Bharata, has within it the essence and uniqueness associated with Bharatanatyam:Bha for Bhava or abhinaya and expression, Ra for raga or melody, and Ta for tala or rhythm.”
Bharatanatyam is thought to have been created by Bharata Muni, a Hindu sage, who wrote the Natya Shastra, the most important ancient treatise on classical Indian dance. It is also called the fifth Veda in reference to the foundation of Hindu religion and philosophy, from which sprang the related South Indian musical tradition of Carnatic music. However, there are references to Rishi or Siddhar Agastya teaching his disciples a different form of sacred dance than the one taught by Bharata Muni.
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