poetry in motion

Bharathanatyam is a 3,000 year old classical dance originating from the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. It is one of the oldest of the many forms of classical Indian dances. I have fallen in love with this dance. I began taking dance classes in 2004. After 5 years, I feel as though I am just skimming the surface of the ocean of this ancient art form. It is a dance of fire where the dancer resembles that of a flickering flame. It is a poetry in motion. The melody of the song is made visible by the movement of the dancer. Through hasta mudras (hand gestures) and nritta (pure dance & rhythmic footwork) the dancer conveys stories based around Hindu mythology. The pantheon of Gods and Goddesses include Shiva, Ganesha, Durga, Krishna, and many more. This dance has become a sacred practice for me. I have a great desire to share the knowledge of this ancient art form with others.