BHARATANATYAM: CONTINUITY, CONFORMITY AND CHANGE (PART 1 of 2)
by
SWARNAMALYA
at 5.30pm on Saturday, 2nd, April, 2011
at Vinobha Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, T Nagar.
*Abstract:*
The history of Bharatanatyam is an engaging narrative of the configuration and reconfiguration of this art from multiple sources. The historiography of what we call Bharatanatyam includes everything from myths, puranic lore, legends, treatises, temple sculptures and epigraphs, cultural artefacts, role of kings and patrons, the hereditary community dancers and courtesans, the colonial and post-colonial documentations, western traveller’s accounts and European enlightenment, also personal journeys and journals of the high caste “elite” and institutionalisation and globalisation of this art.
In an attempt to essay this vast historical journey of Bharatanatyam I intend to trace it, using the canvas of texts and traditions, practices and politics that has always shrouded its historicization. It will be a two-part lecture. The first part will analyse texts that have allowed us to reconstruct and recognise the various traditions of Bharatanatyam. The second part of the lecture will trace the practice patterns historically and finally in the segment “politics” we will travel through the colonial and post colonial eras trying to find the missing links that piece together the recent history of Bharatanatyam and its claim to fame.
RSVP:
A. Annamalai: Gandhi Study Centre - gandhicentre@gmail.com; 94441-83198