Bharatanatyam – Comprehensive Review Flashcards

A comprehensive set of 200 question-and-answer flashcards covering historical, theoretical and practical aspects of Bharatanatyam, its music, literature, technique and cultural context.

Which Hindu deity is revered as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer who gifted Bharatanatyam?

Lord Shiva

What does Shiva’s Ananda Tandava symbolize?

The cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction

Who systematized Bharatanatyam in the Natya Shastra?

Sage Bharata Muni

Around which period was the Natya Shastra composed?

Approximately 200 BCE – 200 CE

In what setting was Bharatanatyam originally performed as devotional offering?

Inside Hindu temples

What were temple dancers traditionally called?

Devadasis

Which South Indian state is the birthplace of Bharatanatyam?

Tamil Nadu

Name one famous temple city associated with Bharatanatyam’s origin.

Chidambaram (others: Thanjavur, Kanchipuram, Madurai)

Which dynasty’s temple sculptures depict Bharatanatyam karanas?

Chola dynasty

Who provided royal patronage to Bharatanatyam during the 9th–13th centuries?

The Chola kings

During which foreign rule did Bharatanatyam face decline?

British colonial rule

Name one 20th-century revivalist of Bharatanatyam.

Rukmini Devi Arundale (others: E. Krishna Iyer, Balasaraswati)

Break down the acronym “Bha-Ra-Ta-Natyam.”

Bha = Bhava, Ra = Raga, Ta = Tala, Natyam = Dance

What three elements does Bharata say dance should combine?

Nritta, Abhinaya, and Natya

How many karanas are described in the Natya Shastra?

108

Define Abhinaya in one sentence.

The art and technique of expression in dance

List the four kinds of Abhinaya.

Angika, Vachika, Aharya, Sattvika

What does Angika Abhinaya employ?

The body, face, and physical movement

Through which medium does Vachika Abhinaya express?

Words, song, and speech

Which Abhinaya category involves costume and makeup?

Aharya Abhinaya

Sattvika Abhinaya deals with what aspect?

Inner psychological or emotional states

Name the nine Rasas used in Bharatanatyam storytelling.

Sringara, Hasya, Karuna, Raudra, Veera, Bhayanaka, Bibhatsa, Adbhuta, Shanta

Which Rasa is regarded as “Rasa Raja,” the king of rasas?

Sringara (Erotic)

What sthayi bhava underlies Sringara Rasa?

Rati (love)

Which colour and deity are linked with Hasya Rasa?

White; deity Pramatha

Which sthayi bhava produces Karuna Rasa?

Shoka (sorrow)

Raudra Rasa arises from which psychological state?

Krodha (anger)

Which Rasa corresponds to heroism and energy?

Veera Rasa

Bhayanaka Rasa is associated with what colour?

Black

Bibhatsa Rasa represents which emotion?

Disgust / odiousness

Which Rasa expresses wonder and astonishment?

Adbhuta Rasa

Which later-accepted Rasa represents peace and detachment?

Shanta Rasa

How many Sattvika bhavas are identified?

Eight

Give any two Sattvika bhavas.

Stambha (stupefaction) and Sveda (sweat)

In Bharatanatyam, what is Lasya?

The graceful, feminine dance created by Goddess Parvati

Which powerful dance form of Shiva complements Lasya?

Tandava

List two qualities Lasya contributes to Bharatanatyam.

Grace/softness and devotion/inner emotion

Who was taught Lasya by Parvati according to legend?

Usha, daughter of Banasura

What term denotes the starting point of a Carnatic composition relative to tala?

Eduppu or Graham

When song and beat start together, what is it called?

Samam

If the song starts before the beat, what is the term?

Athitham

When the song starts after the beat, it is known as?

Anagatham

According to Nata Lakshana, how many qualities define a good actor?

Ten

Mention any three Nata Lakshana qualities.

Handsome appearance, soft-spoken, intelligent (others possible)

What are “kinkini” in Bharatanatyam?

The ankle bells worn by dancers

Which metals are traditionally used to make dance bells?

Brass, copper, or silver

Ideal bells should be tied with what colour thread?

Black thread

Traditionally, how many bells may be tied on each foot?

Either 100 or 200 bells per foot

Name the four classical categories of Indian musical instruments in the Natya Shastra.

Tata (string), Avanaddha (percussion), Sushira (wind), Ghana (solid/metal)

Give two examples of Tata (string) instruments used with Bharatanatyam.

Veena and Violin

Which percussion instrument traditionally keeps rhythm for Bharatanatyam?

Mridangam

The Nagaswaram belongs to which instrument class?

Sushira (wind)

Cymbals used by the Nattuvanar are part of which class?

Ghana

What is the term for the conductor who recites sollukattu on stage?

Nattuvanar

In earlier practice, where did the musicians stand relative to the dancer?

Behind the dancer, moving with them (Chinna Melam)

Today, where do Bharatanatyam accompanists usually sit?

On the right side of the stage

Which tala is most common in dance concerts?

Adi tala (8 beats)

In a dance recital, which item typically opens the programme?

Pushpanjali or Alarippu

Give one difference between dance-concert music and a pure Carnatic concert.

Dance music must match choreography and cannot freely change tempo/tala

According to the sloka, what three components comprise Sangeetam?

Geetham (song), Vadhyam (instrument), Natyam (dance)

How are Indian dances broadly classified by style?

Classical, Folk, Tribal, and Fusion

Which Indian classical dance is known as the “dance of enchantress”?

Mohiniyattam

What is the central theme of Manipuri dance?

Raslila (Krishna’s divine love play)

In Kuchipudi, what notable balancing feat is performed?

Dancing on a brass plate while balancing a pot on the head and lamps in the hands

Which dance-drama from Kerala is famous for elaborate makeup?

Kathakali

What is a Kavutuvam in Bharatanatyam?

An invocatory piece praising a deity with rhythmic and melodic sections

Name two ragas commonly used for Kavutuvams.

Nattai and Hamsadhwani (others: Gowlai, Arabhi, Varali, Sri)

Who composed many well-known Kavutuvams?

Gangai Muttu Nattuvanar and the Tanjore Quartet

Outline the typical structure of a Kavutuvam.

Sollukattu, lyric recitation, melodic rendition, closing sollukattu

Which Kavutuvam is dedicated to the deity at Chidambaram?

Chidambara Natesa Kavutuvam

What right-hand mudra represents Vishnu?

Tripataka

Which mudra combination signifies Lord Shiva?

Right Tripataka, left Simhamukha

Which mudras depict Matsya Avatara?

Matsya hands raised to shoulder level on both sides

Which avatar mudra uses Kapittha right hand and Shikhara left hand?

Rama Chandra

Name the three divisions within Angika Abhinaya.

Angas, Pratyangas, and Upangas

List the six Angas.

Head, hands, chest, waist, sides, feet

Give two examples of Upangas.

Eyes and eyebrows

What is the literal meaning of “Abhinaya”?

To carry toward the audience

In Ekaharya tradition, how many dancers portray multiple characters?

One

Name the dance performed by Shiva depicting cosmic destruction.

Rudra Tandava (Samhara Tandava)

Which Tandava type expresses blissful creation?

Ananda Tandava

How many Tandava types are commonly listed?

Seven (some texts list sixteen)

List three of the seven Tandavas.

Ananda, Tripura, Sandhya (others: Samara, Kali, Uma, Gauri)

Yati refers to what concept in tala?

The design or shape of rhythmic phrases

How many yati types are enumerated?

Six

What shape does Gopuchcha Yati resemble?

A cow’s tail (tapering)

In Mridanga Yati, how do the syllables progress?

Symmetrical expansion and contraction like a drum shape

Which yati is described as river-like flow?

Shrotovaha Yati

What is Vishama Yati?

Irregular arrangement of rhythmic units

Define Sama Yati.

Equal-length phrases repeated uniformly

What is Salangai Pooja?

A ritual where the dancer receives and sanctifies ankle bells

What does “Arangetram” literally mean?

Ascending the stage; the debut public performance

Name the two schools of practice classified as Dharmi.

Lokadharmi and Natya-dharmi

Which Dharmi employs natural everyday movements?

Lokadharmi

Natya-dharmi movements adhere to what?

Codified, stylized classical technique

What is the primary purpose of dance according to ancient texts?

To educate, enlighten, and entertain through rasa-experience

How is dance compared to yagna in scriptures?

A performance shares spiritual merit equal to many sacrifices

What is the Sanskrit root of Lasya and its meaning?

‘Las’, meaning to shine or play

Which aspects do Tandava and Lasya together balance?

Masculine strength and feminine grace

In temple architecture, what is a Koothambalam?

The hall inside temples for presenting dance and drama