Fine Arts · Class 8 · The Language of Movement: Dance · Term 2

Bharatanatyam: Temple Dance Tradition

Students will learn about Bharatanatyam, its origins in temple traditions, geometric postures, and expressive 'abhinaya'.

About This Topic

Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form from Tamil Nadu, traces its roots to ancient temple traditions where devadasis performed rituals to honour deities. Students in Class 8 explore its geometric postures called hastas and mandalas, fundamental adavus as building blocks of movement, and abhinaya for facial expressions that convey emotions and stories from scriptures. This study highlights the dance's precision, rhythm aligned with Carnatic music, and spiritual essence.

In the CBSE Fine Arts curriculum under The Language of Movement, Bharatanatyam connects students to India's cultural heritage while developing skills in analysis and comparison. They examine adavus' role in complex choreography, the dance's link to temple worship through invocatory items like Alarippu, and distinctions in costumes and makeup from Kathak, such as the temple-style saree, jewellery, and vibhuti versus Kathak's flowing ghungroo attire.

Active learning suits Bharatanatyam perfectly as physical practice of adavus builds muscle memory and kinesthetic understanding, while group abhinaya exercises foster empathy for expressive storytelling. Collaborative comparisons of dance elements make abstract cultural concepts vivid and memorable for students.

Key Questions

1. Analyze the significance of 'adavus' as fundamental units of Bharatanatyam.
2. Explain the spiritual connection of Bharatanatyam to temple rituals.
3. Differentiate between the costume and makeup of Bharatanatyam and Kathak.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the spiritual significance of Bharatanatyam's connection to temple rituals and deities.
• Explain the role of 'adavus' as the fundamental building blocks of Bharatanatyam choreography.
• Compare and contrast the distinct costumes, makeup, and jewellery of Bharatanatyam with those of Kathak.
• Demonstrate basic geometric postures ('mandala') and hand gestures ('hastas') used in Bharatanatyam.
• Critique the expressive use of 'abhinaya' in conveying emotions and narratives from Hindu scriptures.

Before You Start

Introduction to Indian Classical Dance Forms

Why: Students need a basic awareness of India's rich dance heritage to appreciate the specific context of Bharatanatyam.

Elements of Visual Arts: Line, Shape, and Form

Why: Understanding geometric shapes and forms will help students grasp the concept of 'mandala' postures in Bharatanatyam.

Key Vocabulary

Adavu	A basic unit of movement in Bharatanatyam, combining footwork, hand gestures, and body posture in a rhythmic sequence.
Abhinaya	The art of expression in Indian classical dance, using facial expressions, gestures, and body movements to convey emotions and tell stories.
Hastas	Symbolic hand gestures used in Bharatanatyam to represent objects, actions, emotions, or abstract concepts.
Mandala	A geometric posture or stance in Bharatanatyam, often characterized by a bent-knee position, forming a stable base for movements.
Devadasi	A female dancer and musician who dedicated her life to serving a deity in a Hindu temple, historically performing dance as a ritual.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Bharatanatyam is only entertainment with no spiritual roots.

What to Teach Instead

Bharatanatyam originated as a temple ritual dance for devotion. Group discussions of invocatory items like Pushpanjali help students connect movements to worship, shifting views through shared research on devadasi traditions.

Common Misconception

Adavus are random steps without structure.

What to Teach Instead

Adavus follow precise geometric patterns and syllables. Hands-on pair practice reveals their rhythmic logic, as students correct each other's alignment and experience how they build nritta sequences.

Common Misconception

Costumes of Bharatanatyam and Kathak are similar.

What to Teach Instead

Bharatanatyam uses stiff sarees and vibhuti for temple sanctity, unlike Kathak's fluid churidar. Visual comparison activities with props clarify these differences, aiding differentiation through tactile exploration.

Active Learning Ideas

Pairs Practice: Basic Adavus

Pair students to mirror each other's practice of three simple adavus like Thattajhenu. Provide printed diagrams and rhythmic claps from a teacher-led talam. Switch roles after 5 minutes and note posture improvements in journals.

30 min·Pairs

Small Groups: Abhinaya Storytelling

Assign groups a short story from Ramayana. Students create 1-minute abhinaya sequences using eyes, brows, and mudras to depict emotions. Perform for class and receive peer feedback on expression clarity.

40 min·Small Groups

Whole Class: Costume Comparison Chart

Project images of Bharatanatyam and Kathak costumes. As a class, list differences in saree style, jewellery, and makeup on a shared chart. Discuss how attire supports dance movements.

25 min·Whole Class

Individual: Temple Posture Sketches

Students sketch geometric postures from Bharatanatyam photos, labelling hastas and feet positions. Add notes on temple ritual context. Share sketches in a class gallery walk.

35 min·Individual

Real-World Connections

• Cultural tourism in Tamil Nadu often features Bharatanatyam performances in historic temples like the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, attracting visitors interested in classical arts and heritage.
• Costume designers for Indian films and theatre frequently draw inspiration from the distinct attire and makeup of Bharatanatyam for period dramas and mythological stories.
• Dance historians and ethnographers research and document classical Indian dance forms like Bharatanatyam to preserve their traditions and understand their evolution within societal contexts.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a card asking: 'Name one 'adavu' you learned and describe its basic movement.' and 'Explain one way Bharatanatyam connects to temple rituals.'

Quick Check

Ask students to hold up specific 'hastas' (e.g., 'pataka', 'tripataka') as you call them out. Then, ask them to explain the difference in costume between Bharatanatyam and Kathak in one sentence.

Discussion Prompt

Facilitate a class discussion: 'How does the geometric nature of Bharatanatyam postures ('mandala') reflect its temple origins? Compare this to the more fluid movements you might see in other dance forms.'

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the spiritual connection of Bharatanatyam to temple rituals?

Bharatanatyam evolved from sacred performances by devadasis in South Indian temples to invoke gods. Items like Alarippu offer flowers to the deity, embodying bhakti. Students grasp this through analysing sequences that mirror puja steps, fostering appreciation of dance as worship.

How does active learning help teach Bharatanatyam in Class 8?

Active methods like practising adavus in pairs build kinesthetic awareness of geometric precision, while group abhinaya turns abstract emotions into personal expression. Costume prop comparisons engage visuals and touch, making cultural distinctions stick. These approaches boost retention over lectures by connecting body, mind, and heritage.

What are adavus in Bharatanatyam and their significance?

Adavus are basic units combining feet, hand gestures, and torso movements, named by syllables like 'Tat Tai Tam'. They form the alphabet of Bharatanatyam, enabling complex choreography. Mastery ensures rhythmic accuracy, vital for nritta sections in performances.

How do Bharatanatyam costumes differ from Kathak?

Bharatanatyam features a custom dhoti-style saree, heavy temple jewellery, and vibhuti on the forehead for sanctity, suiting static poses. Kathak uses ankle-length churidar, light dupatta, and simpler makeup for spins. These reflect regional and stylistic contrasts in classical dance.