Know These Famous Bharatanatyam Dancers: Icons and Their Contributions

Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form, with roots deeply rooted in Indian history. Its precise origin can be traced to the state of Tamil Nadu in India, which is why this dance is recognised as the state dance of Tamil Nadu. Performers adorn elaborate costumes, intricate jewellery, and dramatic makeup while performing this dance. Bharatanatyam is also said to be a dance devoted to gods. Dancers use their intricate hand and footwork alongside dramatic facial expressions to perform this dance.

Bharatanatyam has gone through a lot of ups and downs throughout history. It underwent oppression during the colonial era and was on the verge of dying out. However, a few persistent artists kept this dance art form alive and helped to revive it to set the path to become what it is today.

  • Tanjore Balasaraswati (1918-1984)

Tanjore Balasaraswati is often recognised by her stage name ‘Balasaraswati.’ She was born into a family of traditional practitioners of Bharatnatyam, which allowed her to understand the intricacies of this dance since childhood. Her mother was very encouraging of her interest in Bharatnatyam and helped her train in this dance form. She revolutionised traditional music and dance forms of Bharatanatyam to introduce more innovative and modern techniques in its choreography.

Her style of Bharatnatyam usually consisted of bright expressions and elegant movements that no one has been able to emulate till this date. Her dance drew attention not only from inside the country but from global artists as well. She even helped to spread this art in the Western world as a teacher in the USA.

  • Rukmini Devi Arundale (1904-1986)

Rukmini hailed from a Brahmin family in Tamil Nadu. As the daughter of an engineer and a music enthusiast, she had a childhood marked by a learning environment. Under their influence, she became highly interested in the theosophical movement. She was a driving force behind the revival of Bharatanatyam dance after art was subjected to rounds of banning during colonial times.

She established an academy for dance and music, Kalakshetra, in Chennai to encourage more people to learn these arts. The academy went on to produce some of the most notable personalities of the art sector. She worked tirelessly to bring Bharatnatyam the recognition it deserved and revitalised the dance itself. She introduced various new elements to give Bharatnatyam the new life it needed.

  • Mrinalini Sarabhai (1918-2016)

Mrinalini Sarabhai is known as one of the most celebrated figures in Bharatnatyam dance arts. She was well-versed in blending the elements of classical dance arts with new and innovative techniques of contemporary dance forms. She was born into a Tamil Brahmin family who were highly learned and active in the freedom struggle.

She, along with her husband Vikram Sarabhai, established the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad. Her academy has been providing the students with lessons in various forms of arts like music, drama, dance and others. Her innovative blends of classical dance with contemporary themes have earned her recognition from all over the world. In the field of Bharatnatyam, she is remembered for her ways of challenging the boundaries of traditions.

  • Padma Subrahmanyam (born 1943)

Padma Subramanyam is a person with multiple talents. She is a scholar, teacher, author, choreographer, and Indologist. She was exposed to the art from a young age since her father had founded a dance school before she was born. She was a talented dancer and decided to spread the knowledge of this art to others as well at a young age.

Soon, the history and beauty of classical dances piqued her interest and she found herself researching these elements. Her research on the Karana of Natya Sastra became revolutionary and helped to bridge the gap between art and its interpretation. Her contribution to the Bharatanatyam has gained her recognition from all over the world and many look up to her for inspiration and guidance.

  • Alarmel Valli (born 1956)

Alarmel Valli is an expert in the Pandanallur style of Bharatnatyam dance. Like many other accomplished performers, she started to learn the art of Bharatanatyam dance at an early age. By the time she was in her mid-teens, she was invited to perform on the international stage and presented the magic of Indian classical dance to the world audience.

Since then, she has continued on her journey to spread the joy of dancing on numerous stages, national and global. She is also the founder of the Dipasikha Dance Foundation in Chennai and teaches Bharatanatyam to her students. Her students have gone on to claim fame and continue her work of introducing Bharatanatyam to the world.

Conclusion

Despite their love for dancing, their contribution to Bharatanatyam goes beyond their performance on the stage. Their relentless pursuit of knowledge for this form of art has not only saved it during hard times but also helped to innovate it according to the changing times. They have searched deeper knowledge from the past, as well as introduced new elements from the present to keep it from stagnating. They have also helped it to reach the global stage and win the recognition it deserves. This has caused the younger generations to seek the same knowledge and practice and propagate the ideals that Bharatnatyam represents across the world.

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