Author: Ram Krishnamani Date: January 14, 2025
In Chapter 17 of “Shall We Dance,” Shantha delves into the intricate relationship between music and Bharatanatyam. This is a 2 part episode.
Exploring Dwani, the reverberation of a dancer’s gestures, Shantha & I uncover how it elevates the spiritual and aesthetic essence of this art form. The episode delves into the scientific aspects of sound, highlighting Swara, the melodic notes inspired by nature that are deeply rooted in spirituality and tradition.
Through our discussion, Shantha & I unravel the fusion of Carnatic music with Swara, Tala (rhythms), and Nattuvangam (cymbals and rhythmic patterns), enriching the dance experience.
These components synergize to blend music and motion seamlessly, unveiling the profound expressive richness and cultural heritage of Bharatanatyam.
We hope this gives you a flavor of the importance of sound, it’s science, and how it evolved into music – inspired by sounds from nature to make it’s way to influence Bharatanatyam.
Please enjoy this Episode and more can be found in Chapter 17 of the book on Shall We Dance.
