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| Wednesday, 21 January 2004 |
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Evolution of Bharatha Natyam by Subashini Pathmanathan Bharatha Natyam is often referred to as Bharatham. The term Bharatham refers to Bhavam, Ragam, and Thalam. The word Bharatham is composed of the first letters of 'Bhava', 'Raga' and 'Thala' and the letter 'am' is common to all. Ancient Tamils excelled in Iyal (language), ISAI (music), and Nadakam (drama). Though dance flourished in ancient times, yet due to social reasons, dance rested in the hands of a particular clan.
During the late 19th and early 20th century dance was revived by the elites. Unfortunately the history and development of dance remained an oral tradition subject, to infirmities. Perhaps the only available ancient text in Tamil is Sillapathikaram of 2nd century A.D. and the commentary on Sillapathikaram of 13th century, by Adiyarkunallar. And commentaries written in Sanskrit translated by scholars, notably by Dr. U.A. Swaminathan Iyer. For instance Abinaya Darpanam was believed to have been written by Nanthikeswarar, and was translated into Tamil by Veeraragavaiyan. Further for the study of Bharatha Natyam, temple sculptures, gopura sculptures, temple inscriptions and the slokas, appearing in most temples, provide a wealth of information. Beside these, paintings, sketch drawings in temples, temple surroundings, rock caves, also provide valuable information. Bharatha Muni Though most research in Bharatha Natyam start from the age of Bharatha Muni, a mystic figure believed to have lived between the 4th century B.C. and 4th A.D. According to puranic sources, the period commonly known as Thirayothitha period, there was turmoil, on the earth, and in the world of Devas (Devaloka), Indiran implored Lord Brahma to find a solution. And Brahma commissioned Natya Sastara as the fifth Veda in Hinduism, Brahma derived verses from Rig Veda, Abinaya from Yajur Veda, music from Saama Veda, and Rasa from Athravana Veda. Brahma ordered Indiran, to teach the Veda to Devas. Indiran protested that the Devas were not competent enough to understand. And he advised Brahma, that the knowledge of this Veda be imparted to sages. Therefore Brahma taught this Veda to his disciple Bharatha, who in turn taught this to his children. Bharatha obtained the service of his disciples and Apsaras to stage a dance before Lord Siva at Mount Kailash. Lord Siva was so impressed, and he ordered his chief attendant Thandu Muni to teach his (Lord Siva's) dancing to Bharatha Muni. The dance what Bharatha Muni learnt through Thandu Muni was later known as Thandava division in dance. Bharatha Muni popularised this to the world. Lord Siva taught lassiya to his consort goddess Parvathi, who in turn taught this to Bharath Muni, and her maid Ushai, Ushai taught this to the milk maids at Duwaraka. The milk maids taught this to the women of Sourastra. Lassiya and Thandava spread to the world. Dancer In ancient times, the title 'Thalai Koli' was conferred on an outstanding dancer. Thalai Kol is stem of the white umbrella of a rival king captured in the battle field, it was preserved in the palace, and slokas and manthras, were recited. During the time of a dance recital, this stem of the umbrella was taken out in procession, and eventually handed to the musician of dance, who kept in the dance hall, and worshipped it before the commencement of the dance. Title The Thalai Koli is different from Thalai Kol. Thalai Koli is an honorary title, which was accorded to the outstanding female dancer. There is a belief that Indiran's son Jayanthan, and the Apsara maid Urvasi, fell in love with each other. And Urvasi missed the Thala and Suriti, in a dance and earned the wrath of sage Agasthiyar, who cursed them, Jayanthan and Urvasi appeared as "Thalai Kol' and female dancer in the Vidiya Mountain ranges, and thereby redeemed themselves from the curse. Because of this, the outstanding female dancers were honoured by presenting the Thalai Kol, to them and conferring the title 'Thalai Koli'. **** Back **** |
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