Bharatanatyam
The name Bharatanatyam is a simple derivation from the four most important aspects of dance (in Sanskrit). These are: Bha from Bhava meaning emotion, Ra from Raaga meaning music or melody, Ta from Taala meaning rhythm and Natyam meaning dance.
Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest and most popular forms of classical dance that originated in Tanjore district in Tamil Nadu in South India. The origin of this dance can be traced to the sage Bharata Muni's Natyasastra.
With ancient roots more than 2000 years old, Bharatanatyam evolved over the centuries taking its present form some 250 years ago. It was traditionally a solo dance form performed by women within the temple precincts as part of the daily worship ritual.
Arangetram
Arangetram is the debut on-stage performance of a classical art student, after undertaking years of training. it is a public graduation performance for any art form. The word arangetram is from the Tamil Language and means ascending the stage by a dancer on the completion of her training.
After learning Bharatnatyam under the guidance of an accomplished guru, this performance is the testing time for both the guru and the disciple as on this occasion, the public judges the guru`s knowledge & the disciple's talent together.
Bharatnatyam usually consists of Nritya including Nritta or pure dance and Abhinaya or gesture play. The musical accompaniment is of the Karnatic School with the tala or timing, predominating over the raga or melody in the nritta passages.