Bhartanatyam and Classical Indian Music

The ancient art forms of India have evolved together to sculpt wondrous creations that reflect the core of Indian Culture. All songs traditionally danced to in Bharatanatyam have their origins in, or are Carnatic (classical Indian) music. The exactness of the base beats of Bharatanatyam mirror those of Carnatic music exactly, as the different talas of Carnatic music merge together in Bharatanatyam dances to create enthralling, intricate footwork. Additionally, Bharatanatyam dancers capture the emotion and passion buried in the vast stories of Carnatic music, and they are able to relay the intensity and minor elements of Carnatic music with ease. With the bhava (emotion) in Bharatanatyam and the thala (beat) in Carnatic music, the relationship between two forms allow an overarching portrayal and storytelling of epics that have been in Indian culture for ages. Without one or the other, the form of Bharatanatyam as an art (not only dance of music) would be empty and would lack the roundness it requires to be an accurate representation of Indian culture and arts.