Bharata Natyam FAQ

If I tell people that I learn Bharata Natyam, I can often hear reactions and opinions like:

"It's terribly difficult!"
"Something is done with the hands."
"For each movement one must practice for a year."
"You have to start learning it as a little child."
"Stories are being told."

Well, now I'll tell you how it really is...

"It's terribly difficult!"

Yes, Indian dance is hard work. But not impossible do achieve!

"They do something with the hands."

Just as "bellydance" is not only danced with the belly, but with the whole body, also bharata natyam consists of more than some pretty hand positions. There's a lot of work with the feet and legs, combinations of steps, hops and rhythmic stomps.Then there are the attitude of the torso, different arm and head positions as well as expression, of course.

"For each movement one must practice for a year."

I don't know if anyone would stand this... In fact, during the first year in our class we learned only technique, before starting the "real" dancing. But of course, the basic technique is practiced again and again as in all other disciplines. The movements are divided into different groups, depending on the school. We have 13 groups with 4 to 6 movements. These start with simple stomping and go over to more complicated patterns. From these movements the dances are then assembled like a puzzle.

"One must start as a little child."

In India and Sri Lanka children are sent to dance lessons, like here for ballet. But hardly anyone of us is a prima ballerina today... And just like that, many children stop dancing bharata natyam, when they grow older. Of course it is always easier to learn something when you're younger; but it's also possible to start later. All it takes for bharata natyam is a talent for dancing and a certain physical and mental fitness.

"Stories are being told."

There are two dance forms, that are used individually or combined: "describing" and "pure" dance. In the describing dance the text of a song is interpreted and told with gesturing and facial expression. In pure dance the hand gestures have a decorative function.

Are there more questions that you'd like to ask? Just send me an e-mail, I'll be happy to answer them!