Natyanjali Dance Festival is known for its serenity and marked by the devotion of the dancers dedicating their dance as worship “ Aradhana” to Lord Nataraja. The festival commences on Maha Sivarathri Day every year in chidambaram. Dancers from all parts of India participate representing all classical forms like Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohini Attam, Kathak, Oddisi etc. congregated at Chidambaram and offered their Dance recitals to Lord Nataraja. The festival’s uniqueness lies in its devotional aspect and thus differs from other dance Festivals.

About the Programme: This is a festival dedicated to Cosmic Dancer. The festival, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva is a congregation of dancers from all over the world, is held just outside the Nataraja Temple. On Maha Sivarathri night the prakaras on the temples are lit up with thousands of small oil lamps. Special pujas are offered inside the temple, while dances are performed outside and they go on through the night. This is in line with the belief and custom of the Hindus to wake through out the night of Maha Siva rathri. On Maha Sivarathri day the festival starts at 1800 hours and concludes at 0545 hours next day. On other days the festival begins at 1800 hours and concludes at 2300 hours.

The town of Chidambaram is located 70 Kms from Pondicherry and 245 Kms from Chennai. Life of the town revolves around the magnificent temple of Lord Nataraja. The temple has carved pillars depicting Lord Nataraja in 108 poses of Bharathanatyam classical dance in the eastern tower. The temple embodies the element of Space in the Pancha Boothas. “ Chith” meaning knowledge and ‘ Ambaram’ signifying space form together to make the name Chidambaram.

About Bharathanatyam: This art is the blend of Bhava, Raga and Tala expression, melody and rhythm and hence called Bharathanatyam. One of the oldest forms of classical dance forms of India today it has spread to all corners of the world. Earlier this art form was considered something exclusive to the elite classes but now it is being taught in schools and colleges of arts.

Regarding the origin of Bharatha Natyam, it is said that Lord Brahma handed over the fifth Veda to Sage Bharata to popularize it. For this, he wrote the Natya Shastra, which is a comprehensive work on the techniques of classical dance. After he handed over Bharatanatyam to the world, it went through a lot of changes. For quite a long time, temple dancers or Devadasis, who were dedicated to the Lord, performed it. Through the centuries, the art form retained its beauty and charm. With the passage of time Bharatanatyam moved out of temples to palaces to be patronized by the kings.

But the Devadasi system soon was abolished and the dance form too was lost into oblivion. In the 19th Century it was revitalized and redefined by four brothers, namely, Chinniah, Sivanadam, Ponniah and Vadivelu, popularly known as the Tanjore Quartret. They organized all the basic Bharatanatyam movements of pure dance into a progressive series, adavu. Each adavu is a basic unit taught in systematic order and then combined with others to produce choreographed Bharatanatyam sequences based upon the rhythmic pattern of a musical composition.

It was at the same time that composers like Maharaja Swathi Thirunal of Travancore composed songs specifically for Bharatanatyam. In fact it was the king-composer who was responsible for introducing the Thillana into South Indian music and into Bharatanatyam. Even today, the Thillana is an integral part of Charatanatyam performances.

In the 20th century, Rukmini Devi Arundale, who established Kalakshetra in Chennai, helped to revive the dance form and brought back the beauty of this art. She was the first woman from an upper caste family to learn and perform this art form in public. She removed unpleasant elements from dance, devised artistic costumes and used ‘padams’ to spread the spiritual importance. Then the course of Bharatanatyam changed significantly.

Today, Bharatanatyam is a very popular dance form and is respected worldwide. Many music festivals during the December season in Chennai also incorporate dance performances and separate dance festivals are also being organized.

Natyanjali in other places: Now Natyanjali is also being arranged in Kumbakonam, Tanjavur and Chennai in various Siva Temples for a couple of days around Maha Sivarathri.

Courtesy: nilacharal.com

Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams, Tirupati celebrates Annual Brahmotsavam festival every year the during the Mahalaya Ammavasya period, which is coincidental with the Dasara Festival. It is legendary the Brahma started the Annual Festival at Tirumala for Lord Venkateswara and this is the only festival for Lord Venkateswara. This festival is celebrated for 10 days.

In commemoration with the Srivari Annual Brahmotsav Festival, Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams also organize Dharmic, Cultural, Discourses, Dance and Music Programs at three places. In Asthanamandapam – Pilgrims Amenities Complex in Tirumala and in Annamacharya Kalamandiram and Mahati Auditorium in Tirupati.

It is indeed a great gesture and yeomen service by of the Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams for conducting cultural programs during the Srivari Annual Brahmotsavam festival. Such programs not only befit the festival ambiance, but also help in promoting the continuance of the rich tradition of our land and spread the gospel of love and peace through out.

Annamacharya, the great poet saint of the 15th century is embodiment of Divine love and simplicity. Through his songs he has spread the gospel of divine love and fortified the Bakthi Yoga. It is believed that the great master’s lyrics, tune and the song in total impressed Lord Venkateswara especially his “ Laali Patta” (Thallattu) where it is legendary that Lord Venkateswara fell asleep listening him sing “ Laali Patta”.

Dance is a blended totality of sound, rhythm movements, postures, expressions, lyric etc., and the totality is achieved in the witness of the dance.

As per the legend, Lord Vishnu smiled as He was resting on Adi Shesha. Reacting to this smile, Adi Shesha enquired Lord Vishnu as to the reason for His smile. Lord Vishnu said that he was enjoying the dance of Lord Shiva. Adi Shesha overwhelmed by the enjoyment of Lord Vishnu got tempted to see the dance of Lord Shiva. As Adi Shesha expressed his wish to see the dance of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu readily agreed to grant his wish with a condition that Adi Shesha is born as human on the earth since he had a desire. Accordingly Adi Shesha was born on the earth as sage Pathanjali. On his request Lord Shiva danced in Chidambaram and further to his request stood facing south as Lord Nataraja in Chidambaram. And Lord Vishnu in the form of Ranganatha on Adi Shesha was consecrated facing east; next to Lord Nataraja’s sanctum to ever witness the divine dance. Pathanjali also established a set of principles and rules for blending dance with raga and bavas. It is also believed that Lord Brahma handed over the fifth Veda to Sage Bharata to popularize it. For this, he wrote the Natya Shastra, which is a comprehensive work on the techniques of classical dance.

If it is Natyanjali, the life aspired function for any artist in Tamil Nadu, it is Brahmotsav Festival for the same in Andhra Pradesh.

Courtesy: Nilacharal.com