Bharatanatyam is one of the most ancient and exquisite dance forms in the world. It is one of the seven major classical dance forms of India and the most widely known. It is the classical dance style native to southern India, particularly the state of Tamil Nadu. Like other Indian classical dance forms, it exhibits two main components – “Nritta” or pure dance technique, featuring rhythmic footwork patterns and beautiful abstract movements of the body, and “Abhinaya” or expressional dance, featuring a vocabulary of hand gestures and facial expressions used to mime the words of the song. The pure dance technique of Bharatanatyam is marked by symmetrical lines of the body, exuberant leaps and bends contrasting with subtle neck and eye movements and crisp, intricate footwork.
With ancient roots more than 2,000 years old, Bharatanatyam evolved over the centuries, taking its present form some 250 years ago. Today Bharatanatyam is learned and per
formed in India and the world over by men and women of all backgrounds. This dance form is a visual treat with beautiful costumes of vibrant colors and bright jewelry that enhance the wonderful facial expressions and hand gestures of the artist. Bharatanatyam is a sublime artistic experience both for the performer and the audience.
Rachana Pasupuleti is happy and proud to bring this exquisite dance form to Bowling Green for the first time. Rachana, who lives in Bowling Green, has trained in Bharatanatyam for 14 years – five years in Louisville and nine years at Kala Nivedanam, School of South Indian Classical Dance and Music in Nashville under the guidance of her Guru Monica Cooley. Rachana performed her “Arangetram” in Bowling Green in the summer of 2017. An “Arangetram” is a three-hour solo performance marking the graduation of a Bharatanatyam dancer from dance school. Rachana has also performed in different cities around the country and performs annually at the Bowling Green International Festival.
Rachana will be starting Bharatanatyam classes in Bowling Green this summer. These classes will be for beginners who are interested in learning Bharatanatyam and are open to everyone above five years of age. Dancers will begin with the basic steps and progress in their training to more complex dance items. In addition to being an exquisite dance form, Bharatanatyam teaches concentration and physical and mental discipline and is an excellent physical activity for all ages.
For more information, contact:
Rachana Pasupuleti
Email: rachpasu@gmail.com
Call or text: 270-790-2249