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| screen shots from the Living Tradition CD Rom |
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| Bharata Natyam |
| Bharata Natyam is currently the best know of all styles of classical Indian dance. It originated in the states of Tamill Nadu and Karnataka in south India. It has associations with temple dancing. Bharata Natyam is marked by a linear position and a geometric quality. It uses the aradhamandali, the open flexed knee position, which lends the form its characteristic strength. |
| The accompanying percussive instructment is the mridangam. In a performance the vocalist provides the melodic line whilst the nattuvanar keeps time with a pair of cymbals and wooden sticks and recites the spoken rhythms. |
| Every Winter the Indian city of Chennai hosts a prestigious dance festival, featuring a spectacular display of bharata natyam. The Tamil community both in India and in the diaspora area passionate supporters of their art and opportunities for learning the classical styles of dance and music are plentiful. |
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