Baratha Nattiyam ~ Salangai Oli !!!

In 1983, my friends had booked a movie ticket [hard to get those days] and gracefully invited me – it was K Viswanath’s classic ‘Salangai Oli’ – Kamal Jayapradha starrer with classic hits of Illayaraja.  I refused as those were the days when Semis & Finals of Wimbledon was to be shown  live .. .. .. my favourite Ivan Lendl was to play John McEnroe.  A few years earlier, I had started following Tennis following  the exploits of Bjorn Borg.  McEnroe defeated Ivan Lendl, played the unseeded Chris Lewis in the finals won in straight sets 6–2, 6–2, 6–2 to claims his 2nd Wimbledon title.   My friends were to make fun of me, not only for missing the movie but also for my unbridled support for Ivan Lendl.  .. .. and there was this comedy of photography !!

 

Bharatha Natyam is classical and capturing moments of the dance is a challenge !!

 

Characterized by precise movements, sharp edges, and expressive body language, this tradition has delighted audiences for generations.  Bharatanatyam is  derived by joining two Sanskrit words: ’Natyam’ meaning dance and ’Bharata’ which is a mnemonic containing ’Bha’ (bhava/emotions), ‘Ra’ (raga/melody), and ‘Ta’ (tala/rhythm). Thus the term Bharatanatyam means a dance that expresses Bhava, Raga, and Tala. 

The distinctive feature in Bharathanatyam is its basic stance or the posture called the Araimandi or the half-sit position- the there are  paadha bhedha (leg positions)  that experts exhibit.  

jeté, a French word – means  ballet leap in which the weight of the dancer is transferred from one foot to the other.  In Bharatham there are Utplavanas – the leaps. 

Alaga: leap forward in aramandi and land in aramandi; open both hands from chest level to above head to shoulder level in shikara. Katari: leap to the side, ending with toes of one leg in front of the other; both hands in katarimuga. Asva: leap forward with right and left legs and and with bent knees before straightening them; left hand on waist and right hand in tripataka depicting a horse  …. .. .. 

Here are some photos  taken by me at Thirumylai Kapaleeswarar temple yesterday.
 
With regards – S Sampathkumar
9.10.2024