Bharatanatyam: Origin, History and Costumes

Bharathanatyam, the classical South Indian dance form with its roots in Tamil Nadu, holds a special place in Kerala’s cultural heart. It is deeply respected, widely practised, and lovingly preserved. It is a dance form that combines Bhava (emotion), Raga (melody), Tala (rhythm), and Natyam (dance), and therefore Bha‑ra‑ta‑natyam. It emphasises storytelling through movement, expression, and rhythm.

From temple festivals and school functions to living room decor, this graceful art form is embraced by Malayali families. In this blog, we will explore the history, costumes, jewellery, and performance of Bharatanatyam, as well as its influence on Kerala’s tradition-loving, art-conscious community.

History of Bharatanatyam Dance

Bharatanatyam was first known as Sadiraattam and originated as a dance form performed by devadasis to honour the deities. Natya Shastra, a Sanskrit text on the performing arts, is the foundation of this dance form, written by Sage Bharata between 200 BCE and 200 CE. The dance form then flourished during the Chola and Pallava dynasties, and the temples at that time featured sculptures that showed beautiful Bharatanatyam poses and mudras.

Bharatanatyam faced a decline during colonial rule due to the anti-nautch movement. In the 1930s, Rukmini Devi and E. Krishna Iyer revived it, rebranding Sadir as Bharatanatyam with modern costumes and colours while maintaining its traditional roots. Now, online classes allow people worldwide, including in Kerala, to learn Bharatanatyam in Malayalam.

7 Stages of Bharatanatyam Performance

Bharatanatyam follows the Margam, a seven-part structure symbolising a dancer's spiritual journey. It begins with Alarippu and Jathiswaram (pure dance), moves into expressive storytelling with Shabdam, peaks at Varnam, then flows into emotional Padams, lively Tillana, and ends with Mangalam. Each stage reflects rhythm, expression, devotion, and enlightenment through classical dance.

Bharatanatyam, one of India’s oldest classical dance forms, has a rich heritage that has been preserved and advanced by several famous Bharatanatyam dancers, like: 

• Rukmini Devi Arundale
• T. Balasaraswati
• Yamini Krishnamurthy
• Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam
• Alarmel Valli
• Mallika Sarabhai
• Shobana
• Leela Samson
• Geeta Chandran
• Meenakshi Chitharanjan
  

Bharatanatyam-Inspired Art for Your Home

Add the beauty of classical dance to your home with our Bharatanatyam-inspired sculpture. This art piece showcases the grace, tradition, and skill of Bharatanatyam, featuring intricate details in the dancer’s posture, costume, and jewellery. It’s a great way to add cultural charm to your space. Whether you are a dance enthusiast or someone who appreciates Indian heritage, this sculpture is a meaningful art piece for your home decor or as a thoughtful gift for a loved one.

Bharatanatyam Principles and Techniques

The Bharatanatyam dance form emphasises devotion, storytelling, and rhythm. It has deep roots in temple traditions. The dance has three main parts: 

1.  Nritta (pure dance)
2. Nritya (expressive dance)
3. Natya (dramatic storytelling)
   

• Bharatanatyam uses various key techniques to convey emotions and tell stories: precise footwork (adavus), expressive hand gestures (Bharatanatyam mudras), and facial expressions (abhinaya).
• Different styles, or banis, like Kalakshetra, Vazhuvoor, and Pandanallur, are used to perform the dance; each has its own unique way of moving and expressing itself.
• A strong connection to music and rhythm, symbolic gestures, and structured sequences are all essential elements of Bharatanatyam dance.
  

In Bharatanatyam, every gesture, expression, and movement tells a story, and the ideas and methods described here are essential. The costume is a crucial component of the entire performance since the dancer's appearance is just as significant as the dance's deep cultural and artistic roots.

Bharatanatyam Costumes: Colors, Saree Style & Significance

• Bharatantyam costumes are traditionally made of silk to give them a rich, vibrant look and include a pleated fan design to make it easier for the dancer to sit, squat, and perform various poses comfortably without any restrictions.
• The bright and bold colors used in the costume, like red, green, and yellow, symbolize energy and grace. 
  Temple jewellery is worn by the dancers to add elegance and cultural significance.
• The costume is often draped like a sari carefully to support intricate footwork and precise postures with a tight-fitting blouse.
• The dancers also wear anklets or ghungroos in order to create rhythmic sounds during performance.
• The makeup will be bold, with eyes highlighted and hair tied up in a bun adorned with flowers, for a traditional look.
  

Bharatanatyam Jewellery and Ornaments

After the costume, jewellery and ornaments are essential in completing the Bharatanatyam dancer’s traditional appearance. They add beauty and meaning, helping to highlight expressions during the performance. 

• A typical jewellery set includes items like the maang tikka (headpiece), jhumkas (earrings), necklaces, vanki (armlets), odiyanam (waist belt), and nath (nose ring).
• These pieces are typically gold-toned, often featuring red and green stones, and are carefully selected to complement the costume and accentuate facial and body movements.
  

Bharatanatyam Makeup and Styling

Bharatanatyam is performed under bright stage lighting, and therefore the artist’s makeup should enhance their facial expressions and features. Bold makeup with defined eyebrows and bright lipstick are done so that the dancer’s expressions are visible from long distances. Eye makeup is specially done using thick eyeliner and kajal that extends outward to emphasise eye movements, which are key to abhinaya. The look is complete with a central bindi and a traditional hairstyle, often decorated with flowers, to keep the classical style on stage.

Bharatanatyam Performance

A traditional Bharatanatyam performance is divided into six main parts, blending rhythm, expression, and storytelling.

• Alarippu: The opening piece is a pure dance (Nritta) that serves as both a warm-up and a spiritual invocation.
• Jathiswaram: Focuses on intricate footwork and rhythmic patterns, with no abhinaya (expression).
• Shabdam: Introduces expression (Nritya), combining rhythm with short narratives or devotional themes.
• Varnam: The centrepiece of the performance, combining complex dance sequences with deep emotional storytelling.
• Padam: Slower-paced pieces that emphasise abhinaya and the lyrical expression of devotion, love, or mythology.
• Tillana: A lively, rhythmic conclusion, showcasing the dancer’s technical mastery and energy.
  

Together, these segments reflect the spiritual, aesthetic, and technical depth of Bharatanatyam.

Conclusion

Bharatanatyam reflects the country’s rich culture, devotion, and storytelling traditions. Each movement, expression, and rhythm holds meaning and stems from a rich history. Although it has deep roots, Bharatanatyam is evolving with new styles in costumes, music, and stage presentations. These changes keep the dance relevant for younger generations. As dancers learn and perform, they help preserve and celebrate this beautiful art form for the future.

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