The grounded practice of Bharatanatyam

The grounded practice of Bharatanatyam

My gurus always emphasize that Bharatanatyam is more than movement. Maheshwari Amma helps me pay attention to the pleats of my sari, the floor, the way we announce pieces, how we enter and exit the stage, and the way we show up for class. As a practice where we dance barefoot, Bharatanatyam is a grounded practice and keeps us aware of our dynamic relationship with the earth. 

Recently, at the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood, our regular room was in use, so we decided to dance outside, since the weather was so nice. This time allowed us to discuss specific details, e.g. the difference in the feeling of our feet and legs when we dance on different surfaces. We discussed the quality of different surfaces as "unforgiving" (concrete), "elastic" (wood), and "soft" (grass and soil).

We have been learning the poem Mangalam where we seek for balance in natural elements, between us, and within us. Being outside was a special experience in this regard as well, as we could experience the sun, breeze, and sky, some of the natural elements the poem talks about. 

Below is a video of learners doing a simple movement pattern in a circle and singing.
​Dancers (L to R): Deanna vanSecondorf, Marshall Douglas, Michael Setter, CS Rani, Sloka Iyengar