Sri Jaya Sai Nrithyalaya

The Five Characteristics (Panchakritya) of the Nataraja Pose

The Nataraja pose is one of the most iconic and recognizable poses in Indian classical dance and art. It is the depiction of the Hindu god Shiva as the Lord of the Dance, and it is known for its dynamic energy and graceful movements. The Nataraja pose is not just a beautiful and impressive display of physical prowess, it also carries deep symbolism and meaning. In this blog, we will explore the five characteristics, or panchakritya, of the Nataraja pose.

1. Shrishti (creation)

The first characteristic of the Nataraja pose is shrishti, which represents creation. In this aspect of the pose, Shiva's right foot is lifted up and poised on top of a small figure that represents ignorance or illusion. Shiva's right hand is raised in the abhaya mudra, which signifies fearlessness and protection. Together, these gestures represent the power of creation and the ability to overcome ignorance and fear.

2. Sthiti (preservation)

The second characteristic of the Nataraja pose is sthiti, which represents preservation. In this aspect of the pose, Shiva's left foot is firmly planted on the ground, representing stability and grounding. His left hand is raised in the gajahasta mudra, which represents strength and protection. Together, these gestures represent the power of preservation and the ability to maintain balance and stability.

3. Samhara (destruction)

The third characteristic of the Nataraja pose is samhara, which represents destruction. In this aspect of the pose, Shiva's right foot is pressing down on the figure of ignorance, representing the power to destroy and overcome ignorance and illusion. His left foot is lifted up, representing the ability to transcend the physical realm. His right hand holds the damaru, a small drum that represents the sound of creation, while his left hand holds the agni, or fire, which represents the power to destroy and transform.

4. Tirodhana (concealment)

The fourth characteristic of the Nataraja pose is tirodhana, which represents concealment. In this aspect of the pose, Shiva's right hand is raised in the abhaya mudra, representing protection and fearlessness. His left hand is raised in the varada mudra, which represents generosity and bestowing blessings. Together, these gestures represent the power of concealment and the ability to protect and hide what needs to be protected.

5. Anugraha (release)

The fifth and final characteristic of the Nataraja pose is anugraha, which represents release. In this aspect of the pose, Shiva's right foot is lifted up, representing the ability to transcend the physical realm. His left foot is firmly planted on the ground, representing stability and grounding. His right hand holds the damaru, which represents the sound of creation, while his left hand is raised in the varada mudra, which represents generosity and bestowing blessings. Together, these gestures represent the power of release and the ability to let go of attachments and transcend the physical realm.

In conclusion, the Nataraja pose is a beautiful and dynamic representation of the Hindu god Shiva as the Lord of the Dance. Its five characteristics, or panchakritya, represent the powers of creation, preservation, destruction, concealment, and release. By understanding the symbolism and meaning behind each aspect of the pose, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions of India.

Benefits of Bharatnatyam

Bharatanatyam is an Indian classical dance that originated from Tamilnadu. It is a beautiful blend of expressions, melody and rhythm, which is why it has been a popular form of dance for centuries. Bharatanatyam is a combination of three elements, namely Nritta, Nritya, and Natya, which highlight body movements and rhythm, dance postures and body movements, and drama and poems, respectively. When performed with complete concentration, the dance form is as good as yoga. Let's take a closer look at the numerous health benefits it offers.

1. Improves Balance

Like many other Indian dance forms, Bharatanatyam has various postures and poses that require performers to elegantly maintain balance throughout the performance. The different body movements called Karanas are beneficial to improve balance. While performing Karana, a performer needs to stay in one posture for a few seconds, which can be compared to standing on one foot for a few seconds without losing balance.

2. Improves Flexibility

Bharatanatyam is associated with facial expressions and non-verbal communication. In this dance form, hand gestures and facial expressions are used to communicate and express feelings. Sometimes even props are used to add to the visual element. Various Mudras (symbols and positions) formulate the dance form. The Mudras work out various body parts and improve flexibility.

3. Improves Stamina

Bharatanatyam is associated with facial expressions and non-verbal communication. In this dance form, hand gestures and facial expressions are used to communicate and express feelings. Sometimes even props are used to add to the visual element. Various Mudras (symbols and positions) formulate the dance form. The Mudras work out various body parts and improve flexibility.

4. Increases Aerobic Fitness

Bharatanatyam movements make use of various muscles and tissues. A few hours of practice can give you good exercise and improve your stamina. Practising Bharatanatyam boosts endurance. Moving all limbs together at the same time, while the eyes follow whatever the hands do, requires a lot of stamina. Getting a single step perfectly correct slowly can take time but it builds stamina.

5. Improves Concentration

Bharatanatyam makes the body and even the mind agile. For any dancer, it is essential to remember the Mudras, Hastas, and Karnas to perform the dance well. A performer needs to remember the steps, the names of the various steps, different moves, the beats, and the rhythm of the song. With all this, a dancer has to pay attention if the body movements are in sync. This hones mental skills and builds mental alertness.

6. Healthy Heart

Dance and fitness always go hand in hand. Not only Bharatanatyam, but any form of dance is beneficial for the heart. Dancing boosts blood circulation, pumps blood faster, and gets you closer to a healthy heart.

7. Builds Endurance

Every student of Bharatanatyam understands the value of practice. With the lessons of Bharatanatyam comes a very important lesson in life 'Practice makes a man Perfect'. It is only regular dance practice that helps a student rise to a higher degree of performance. This builds endurance in a person and makes them ready to pursue perfection. This can even translate to everyday life value. Whether it is making an egg, achieving better grades, or making a presentation, getting better becomes a habit.

8. Controls Weight

Dance forms like Bharatanatyam make muscles active. A good performance of Bharatanatyam requires good practice. Practicing dance regularly helps lose and control weight. The complex movements jumps, and taut hand gestures use energy. So while you may be focused on getting a particular step right, you are burning calories and controlling weight.

9. Healthy and Glowing Skin

A Bharatanatyam performer uses his eyebrows, eyes, neck, and lips to convey an expression. Bharatanatyam performers put forward different expressions such as happiness, anger, surprise, sadness, jealousy, and love. The constant movement of facial muscles makes facial tissues strong, thus improving the complexion. Regular Bharatanatyam performers have glowing and healthy skin. They even have graceful eyes. The movements of the eyes strengthen the eye muscles, which, in turn, makes the vision clear and healthy. Moreover, the physical activity involved in Bharatanatyam promotes blood flow, delivering nutrients and oxygen to the skin cells, making them look and feel healthier. So, if you want to improve your skin health and achieve a glowing complexion, Bharatanatyam can be a great addition to your routine.

History of Bharatam

Bharatanatyam, a pre-eminent Indian classical dance form, is said to be the oldest classical dance heritage of India. It is regarded as the mother of many other Indian classical dance forms and is traditionally performed by women as a solo dance. Bharatanatyam originated in the Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu and eventually flourished in South India.

The theoretical base of this dance form can be traced back to ‘Natya Shastra’, the ancient Sanskrit Hindu text on the performing arts. Bharata Muni, an ancient Indian astrologist and musicologist, is said to have written the text. Although the first complete version of the text was presumably completed between 200 BCE to 200 CE, such timeframes also vary between 500 BCE and 500 CE. According to legends, Lord Brahma revealed Bharatanatyam to the sage Bharata, who then encoded this holy dance form in Natya Shastra.

The name Bharatanatyam is derived from two Sanskrit words, ‘Bharata’ and ‘Natyam’. ‘Natyam’ means dance, and ‘Bharata’ is a mnemonic comprising ‘bha’, ‘ra’ and ‘ta’ which respectively means ‘bhava’ (emotion and feelings), ‘raga’ (melody), and ‘tala’ (rhythm). Thus, traditionally the word refers to a dance form where bhava, raga, and tala are expressed.

Bharatanatyam continues to inspire several art forms, including paintings and sculptures, starting from the spectacular 6th to 9th century CE temple sculptures. The Shiva temple of Kanchipuram, which is decorated with carvings dating back to a period between the 6th to 9th centuries CE, manifests the development of this dance form by around the mid-first millennium CE. Many ancient Hindu temples are embellished with sculptures of Lord Shiva in Bharatanatyam dance poses. The eastern gopuram of the 12th century Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Lord Shiva, bears sculptures depicting 108 poses of Bharatanatyam, referred to as katanas in Natya Shastra, that are intricately carved in small rectangular panels.

Bharatanatyam has a performance repertoire that includes nritta (pure dance comprising finesse of hand movements and gestures), nritya (a solo expressive dance that comprises expressions), and Natya (illustrative anecdote of Hindu religious themes and spiritual ideas emoted by a dancer with excellent footwork and impressive gestures). Accompanists include a singer, music, and particularly the guru who directs and conducts the performance.

According to some sources, the Devadasi culture dating back to 300 BCE to 300 CE evolved under the auspices of the royals that saw the temple dancers called Devadasis, who were dedicated to serving the Lord as basis or servants, performing the dance form. Eventually, the Devadasi culture became an integral part of rituals in South Indian temples. Although ancient texts and sculptures indicate the existence of such culture and the presence of dancing girls as well as exclusive quarters for women in the temple compound, there is no concrete evidence, either archaeological or text-based, that can manifest the Devadasis as prostitutes or courtesans, as accused by some colonial Indologists.

During the Nayaka period of Tamil Nadu, sometime around the late 16th or 17th century, the courtesan dancing phenomenon commenced. The Indian community disapproved of such a ban.