Bharatnatyam is one of the oldest classical dance forms of India, originating from the temples of Tamil Nadu. With roots going back over 2,000 years, it is a dance form that combines precise rhythmic footwork (nritta), expressive storytelling through hand gestures and facial expressions (abhinaya), and a deep connection to Carnatic music and rhythm (tala). I have been training in this art form for years, and it continues to be one of the most enriching parts of my life.
The Art Form
Bharatnatyam is built on the principles of the Natyashastra, an ancient treatise on performing arts. A typical performance follows a structured progression called the margam, which includes pieces like Alarippu (an invocatory piece), Jatiswaram (pure dance set to swaras), Varnam (the centerpiece combining nritta and abhinaya), Padams (expressive pieces), and Thillana (a rhythmic finale). Each piece demands a different balance of technique and expression.
What makes Bharatnatyam unique is its emphasis on geometry — the body creates sharp angles and lines through the aramandi (half-sitting position), stretched limbs, and precise hand gestures (mudras). There are 28 single-hand gestures and 23 combined-hand gestures, each carrying multiple meanings depending on the context. Mastering these gestures and learning to weave them into storytelling is a lifelong pursuit.
What It Means to Me
Practicing Bharatnatyam has taught me discipline, patience, and the beauty of expressing emotions through movement. The rigorous training — hours of adavus (basic steps), perfecting aramandi, and building stamina — mirrors the persistence needed in research. Both require showing up every day, working through frustration, and trusting that incremental progress adds up.
Beyond the physical, dance gives me a way to connect with my cultural roots. Growing up, it was a link to traditions, mythology, and a community of artists. Now, far from home and deep in the world of wireless communication research, it remains a grounding force — a reminder that creativity and analysis are not opposites but complementary ways of engaging with the world.
Whether performing on stage or practicing in solitude, Bharatnatyam brings a sense of balance that I carry into everything else I do.