Bharatanatyam for Every Body: Reclaiming the Universal Spirit of Dance
Author: Gayatri Deka
Close your eyes for a moment and picture a Bharatanatyam dancer. What do you see? For many, the image is specific: a slender woman, abled-bodied, adorned in silk and gold, performing on a proscenium stage. This image, while beautiful, is a limited snapshot of a vast and profound universe. As a practitioner and teacher of this sacred art, I, Gayatri Deka, have dedicated my life to exploring its depths. And the deeper I go, the more I am convinced that the soul of Bharatanatyam is infinitely more expansive than the conventional frames we put around it.
The most urgent and beautiful evolution happening in our world today is the movement towards inclusivity. It’s a call to dismantle old barriers and build bigger tables. And Bharatanatyam, an art form that speaks of cosmic truths and universal human emotions, cannot and should not remain on the sidelines of this conversation. Its future resilience lies in its ability to welcome everybody, every identity, and every aspiring soul who feels the pull of its rhythm.
This isn’t about diluting the art or lowering its standards. It’s about elevating its spirit. It’s about challenging our own perceptions and asking a fundamental question: Who gets to dance? The answer, I believe, is everyone who has a story to tell.
The Core Principle: Bhava Over Form
To understand why Bharatanatyam is inherently inclusive, we must look past the physical execution and into its philosophical heart. The ancient treatise, the Natyashastra, describes dance as a pathway to experiencing Rasa-the aesthetic flavour or essence of an emotion. This experience is generated through Bhava, the state of being and feeling that the dancer embodies.
The text details the intricate grammar of movement (Nritta) and the storytelling vocabulary (Nritya), but the ultimate goal is always the evocation of Rasa. The physical body, with all its learned precision, is merely the vessel. The true art happens within. The story is told through the eyes, the emotion is conveyed through a subtle tilt of the head, and the divine is channelled through the dancer’s sincere internal state (Sattvika Abhinaya).
When we understand this, we realise that a perfect Araimandi (the signature half-sitting posture) is a means, not an end. The true perfection lies in the ability to make the audience feel joy, sorrow, peace, or courage. This core principle is our license-our sacred permission-to open the doors of Bharatanatyam to all.
Breaking Physical Barriers: Adaptive Bharatanatyam
One of the most significant frontiers in making Bharatanatyam accessible is adapting it for individuals with diverse physical abilities. The notion that only a certain body type can perform this art is a modern rigidity, not an ancient decree.
Reimagining Movement: The Power of Expression
Adaptive dance focuses on an individual’s strengths. For a dancer who uses a wheelchair, the kinetic energy doesn’t come from footwork, but it can explode through the upper body. The powerful storytelling of the hastas (hand gestures), the nuanced universe of facial expressions (mukha abhinaya), and the graceful movements of the torso and arms can convey an entire epic. Imagine a dancer telling the story of Gajendra Moksha, where the hands become the desperate elephant, the triumphant lotus, and the life-saving discus of Vishnu, all while seated. Is this any less Bharatanatyam? I would argue it is Bharatanatyam in its most potent form-pure expression.
At my Bharatanatyam school in Dwarka Delhi, we are learning to shift our pedagogical focus. Instead of asking “Can this student do this adavu?”, we ask “How can this student express the feeling of this adavu with their body?” This requires creativity, empathy, and a deep collaboration between teacher and student. It’s a journey of discovery for both.
A New Pedagogy for a New Era
Teaching adaptive dance requires a paradigm shift. A teacher must become a facilitator, helping the student find their unique dance language within the classical framework. This means moving away from rote imitation towards guided exploration. This philosophy is central to our mission, not just in our physical Bharatanatyam dance classes in Dwarka, Delhi, but also in how we structure our online Bharatanatyam dance classes Delhi, ensuring that personalised attention and adaptation are possible even in a virtual setting.
Dismantling Socio-Economic Walls: Art for All
For too long, classical arts in India have been perceived as a pursuit for the privileged. The financial barriers are real: class fees, elaborate silk costumes, temple jewellery, and access to performance platforms can be prohibitive for many talented individuals. An inclusive Bharatanatyam school must actively work to dismantle these walls.
Creating Pathways to Accessibility
How do we make a Bharatanatyam dance class truly accessible?
- Flexible Fee Structures: Implementing scholarship programs, tiered fees, or instalment plans can make a world of difference for families from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
- Costume and Jewellery Banks: A school can create a repository of costumes and jewellery that can be borrowed or rented at a nominal cost. This removes one of the biggest financial hurdles for aspiring performers.
- Leveraging Technology: The rise of the online Bharatanatyam dance class in India has been a game-changer. It eliminates travel costs and often offers a more affordable entry point into the art form. A student from a remote village can now access the same quality of teaching as someone in a metro city.
At our Bharatanatyam dance school in India, we see technology as a powerful democratizing force, bringing this beautiful art form to doorsteps and making dreams achievable.
Embracing the Spectrum of Gender: Beyond the Binary
The conversation around gender has opened up new and vital perspectives in the world of Bharatanatyam. Challenging rigid gender roles doesn’t diminish the art; it reveals its full depth.
Reclaiming the Male Dancer and Deconstructing Roles
While Bharatanatyam is currently dominated by female performers, it has a rich history of male gurus (Nattuvanars) and dancers. The powerful Tandava aspects, often associated with Lord Shiva, offer a dynamic and athletic vocabulary. Today, a new generation of male dancers is reclaiming this space, bringing a unique energy and perspective to the art.
More profoundly, we must teach our students that the characters they portray are not limited by their own gender. A female dancer embodies the valour of Rama, and a male dancer portrays the grace and love of Radha. This is the magic of Natya. The dancer is a vessel for all characters, all emotions.
A Safe Space for Transgender and Non-Binary Artists
This transformative potential of Bharatanatyam makes it a uniquely powerful space for transgender and non-binary individuals. It is an art form where one can explore and embody different identities-male, female, divine, animal-within a structured and celebrated context. The focus on bhava allows an artist to express their authentic inner self, moving beyond the physical form.
A truly inclusive Bharatanatyam school must be a safe space where artists of all gender identities feel seen, respected, and empowered to bring their full selves to the dance floor. This means using correct pronouns, being open to reinterpreting mythology through a queer lens, and celebrating the unique voice each artist brings.
The Role of the Guru and the Community
Ultimately, fostering inclusivity rests on the shoulders of the teachers and the community. The guru is more than an instructor; they are a guardian of the art and a mentor to the student. It is our responsibility to create a learning environment free from judgment-a space where a student with a larger body is not shamed, a student from a poor background is not excluded, and a student exploring their gender identity is not questioned.
The Bharatanatyam dance class should be a microcosm of the world we want to live in: one that celebrates diversity, encourages empathy, and believes in the potential of every single person.
The Dance of an Inclusive Future
Making Bharatanatyam inclusive is not a compromise; it is a homecoming. It is about returning the art to its universal roots, where expression triumphs over exclusion. When we see a dancer in a wheelchair performing abhinaya with profound emotion, a transgender artist powerfully reclaiming a narrative, or a child from an underserved community finding their voice through dance, the art form is not diminished. It is magnified. It becomes more relevant, more resilient, and infinitely more beautiful.
Let us, as teachers, students, and audience members, champion this change. Let’s build bigger stages, open wider doors, and celebrate everybody that moves to the timeless rhythm of Bharatanatyam. The future of our art depends on it.
About the Author:
Gayatri Deka is a passionate Bharatanatyam artist and teacher based in Delhi. Her work is dedicated to upholding the rich traditions of the art form while championing a progressive and inclusive vision for its future. As the founder of a leading Bharatanatyam school in Delhi, she is committed to creating a safe and empowering space for all learners. Gayatri Deka offers a range of classes, from the specialised Bharatanatyam dance classes in Dwarka Delhi to the globally accessible online Bharatanatyam dance class delhi program, ensuring that the joy of dance can reach everyone. Her school is a testament to her belief that Bharatanatyam is a universal language meant for every soul.
FAQs:
- Q: How are Bharatanatyam schools promoting inclusivity for students with diverse physical abilities?
- A: By adapting movements, offering seated variations, using props for support, and working with physical therapists to ensure safe and effective participation.
- Q: What initiatives exist to make Bharatanatyam accessible to economically disadvantaged students?
- A: Scholarships, community outreach programs, free workshops, and collaborations with NGOs are crucial for making the art form affordable and accessible to wider sections of society.
- Q: How is the Bharatanatyam community addressing gender inclusivity beyond traditional female roles?
- A: By encouraging male dancers, exploring narratives that transcend traditional gender roles, and promoting artists of all gender identities, recognising dance as an expression for everyone.
- Q: Can Bharatanatyam be adapted for individuals with hearing or visual impairments?
- A: Yes, with adapted teaching methods focusing on tactile learning, vibration sensors for rhythm, and verbal cues for movements. Performance interpretations can also be made more sensory.
- Q: What role do inclusive performances play in changing perceptions of Bharatanatyam?
- A: Inclusive performances showcase the versatility of the art form, challenge stereotypes, and highlight the universal appeal of dance, inspiring a broader audience.
- Q: How can schools create a welcoming and safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals in Bharatanatyam?
- A: By implementing non-discriminatory policies, using inclusive language, fostering an open dialogue, and ensuring instructors are trained in sensitivity and cultural competence.
- Q: Are there efforts to make Bharatanatyam more relatable to non-Indian students globally?
- A: Yes, through workshops that explain cultural contexts, interdisciplinary collaborations, and performances that fuse classical technique with relatable storytelling.
- Q: How does an inclusive approach strengthen the art form’s relevance in modern society?
- A: Inclusivity broadens the art form’s appeal, ensures its continued evolution, attracts new talent, and reflects contemporary societal values, keeping it vibrant and relevant.
- Q: What challenges are faced in implementing truly inclusive Bharatanatyam programs?
- A: Challenges include funding for adaptive resources, training specialised instructors, overcoming societal biases, and ensuring equitable access to opportunities.
- Q: How can individuals contribute to making Bharatanatyam a more inclusive and accessible art form?
- A: By supporting inclusive schools/artists, advocating for diversity, volunteering, funding scholarships, and promoting the message that Bharatanatyam is for everyone.