yatho hastha sthatho drishti
yatho drishti sthatho mana
yatho mana sthatho bhava
yatho bhava sthatho rasa
Natya Shastra, Bharata (1st century BCE–3rd century BCE).

“Where go the hands, there go the eyes,
Where go the eyes, there goes the mind,
Where goes the mind, there goes the bhava (expression),
And where goes the bhava (expression), there lies the true rasa (emotion or enjoyment).”
Bha + ra + ta + natyam = Bharatanatyam

- Bha = Bhava or expression,
- Ra = Ragam or melody,
- Ta = Talam or rhythm,
- Natyam = Dance. 

Bharatanatiyam

Bharatanatyam, pronounced Buh + ra + thuh + Nawt + yum, is the oldest of all classical dances of India and dates back to more than 3000 years. A common interpretation of the word
Together it is called 'BHARATANATYAM'. Using the body as a medium of communication, the expression of dance is perhaps the most intricate and developed, yet easily understood art form. The fascination for Indian dance all over the world is indicative of the deep-felt need to use the human body to express and celebrate the great universal truths.

Kalabhavanam Dance School