Bharata Natyam

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/bharata-natyam

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the musical foundation?Performed to Carnatic music, with close interaction between dancer, vocalist, and percussionists
2. What is Bharata Natyam and why is it special?Bharata Natyam is an ancient Indian dance that tells stories using the whole body. It is special because it uses many hand gestures and facial expressions to show feelings and actions.
3. Where did Bharata Natyam start and how was it used?It began over 2000 years ago in the temples of Tamil Nadu. In those temples, devadasis performed it as a devotional offering to God.

Margam: The traditional sequence of items in a Bharata Natyam performance, signifying a path of progression.
Adavus: The fundamental units of dance movements in Bharata Natyam, combining footwork, leg positions, and hand gestures.
Carnatic Music: The classical music tradition of South India, which forms the sonic foundation for Bharata Natyam performances.