WHAT IS BARATHAM

An ancient traditional art form with its origins steeped in divinity,Bharata Natyam reflects the culture of India at its best.The performer (male or female) is usually a soloist accompanied by a minimum of two musicians and usually four for a full-scale concert. The dancer uses the space as her own sacred temple and brings the audience into her magical circle as she performs and acts out stories with Gods and Goddesses from Indian mythology, folk tales and stories with emotional content. Being a living art form it has continued to enrichen itself changing with the times yet keeping its pristine beauty and nature intact. The dance originated 5000 years ago and comprises of several arts like sculpture, painting, theatre, literature, music, dramaturgy, and poetry. Young girls were dedicated to the temples at the early age of eight years where they underwent a strict discipline in the above related arts to fully understand, comprehend and evoke the sentiments required of them as dancers. The art form originated in the southern part of India in the state of Tamil Nadu and flourished greatly under the patronage of several kings some of whom were composers of the poetry and musical compositions that the dancers performed to and have handed down this rich tradition by word of mouth.

Nataraja - the Lord of Dance (Dancing Shiva)

Nataraja (read: Nuh-tuh-raa-jaa)

is the depiction of the Hindu God Shiva as the cosmic dancer who performs his divine dance to destroy a weary universe to make

way for the process of creation. In Hindu belief, Shiva as Nataraja appears at the end of one cosmic cycle and the beginning of the

next, and is thus associated with both creation and destruction. In his hands he holds both the destructive fire and the double-sided

drum, the sound from which summons up new creation.

EtymologyNāṭaraja is derived from the Sanskrit words narta rājan "lord of

dance".

Form of the Sculpture

The sclupture is usually made in bronze.As a symbol, Shiva Nataraja is a marvelously unified and dynamic invention. In a single

image, it combines Lord Shiva's roles as a creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe and conveys the Indian concept of the never-ending cycle of time. Its present form evolved

under the rule of the Cholas. To give you a basic idea of what the various aspects of the symbol represent -

1. Shiva's dance is set within an arch of flames that represent the manifesting Universe.

2. He holds in his upper right hand a small hourglass shaped drum called the Damaru (hand drum that made the first sounds of creation. It also stands for the male-female vital principle).

3. His upper left hand holds Agni (the fire that will destroy the universe).4. With his lower right hand, he makes Abhayamudra (gesture of assertion: "Be

without fear.").5. The dwarf-like figure being trampled by his right foot represents Apasmara

Purusha (the illusion and ignorance which leads mankind astray - over whom Lord Shiva triumphs)

6. The Snakes that are draped around his neck stand for 'egoism'7. Shiva's front left hand, pointing to his raised left foot, signifies refuge for the

troubled soul.

8. The energy of his dance makes his hair whirl around representing the endless cycle of birth and death

9. On his head is a Skull - which symbolizes his conquest over death.10. Goddess Ganga, the epitome of the holy river Ganges, also sits on his hairdo.11. His third eye is symbolic of his omniscience, insight, and enlightenment12. The snake swirling around his waist is kundalini (read: kun-dhaa-lee-nee; literally

means coiled), the Shakti or divine force thought to reside within everything. This also parallels the cords of life worn by the Brahmins to represent the second rebirth.

13. The whole idol rests on a lotus pedestal, the symbol of the creative forces of the universe.

14. The stoic face of Shiva represents his neutrality, thus being in balance.

The symbols imply that - through belief in Shiva, his devotees can achieve salvation!