---- Previews on : ClassicalDance . TV ---- Bharatanatyam, which originated in Tamil Nadu, a southern state in India, is one of the oldest classical dance forms of the country. It is based on 'Natya Sasthra' written by the sage Bharata and hence the name. Bharatanatyam is a combination of Nritta (pure dance), Nritya (histrionic expression) and Natya (dramatic representation). The musical component of Bharatanatyam, which is Carnatic in style, uses Sanskrit, Telugu, and Kannada, besides Tamil. This classical dance form is full of unfettered rhythmic movements and expressions, which are devotional in spirit, highly stylized and sophisticated in technique. Anita Ratnam - She is one of the leading Bharatanatyam dancers in India. Anita Ratnam's profound insight and vast experience in Bharatanatyam has enabled her to combine traditional as well as innovative elements, rendering a new dimension to it. She is the guiding force behind Arangham Dance Theatre based in Chennai. Anita Ratnam learned Bhartanatayam under Guru Adayar K. Lakshman (Chennai), Smt. S. Sarada and Sarada Hoffman, both of Kalakshetra, a premier academy set up at Chennai by Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale for the preservation of traditional values in Indian dance and music. Anitha Ratnam has also learned Mohiniyattam under Trichur P. Ramanathan and Chinna Ammu Ammal. She was trained in Kathakali under Kalamandalam Balasubramaniam Warrier. She learned Carnatic Music from Guru Madurai Krishnan

2000 year old classical Indian dance

Poetry in Motion