What Can You Do with a Bharatanatyam Diploma? Unlocking Your Career Path in Bharatanatyam
Author: Gayatri Deka
Table of Contents
- The Diploma: Your Key to a Professional World
- The Stage Awaits: Becoming a Professional Performer
- The Stamp of National Recognition: Doordarshan Grading
- A Global Ambassador: The Path to ICCR Empanelment
- The Path to Academia: The Scholar-Dancer
- From Diploma to Degree: Pursuing an MA and PhD
- Why Academia? Research, Preservation, and Pedagogy
- Carrying the Torch: The Noble Journey of Becoming a Guru
- The First Step: Why a Diploma is Essential for Teaching
- Building Your Own Gurukul: From Passion to Institution
- Securing Your Future: Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships
- Nurturing Young Talent: The CCRT Scholarship
- Supporting Established Artists: The Sahitya Kala Parishad Fellowship
- Beyond the Stage: Diverse Careers in the Arts Ecosystem
- The Visionary Creator: A Career in Choreography
- The Arts Manager and Curator
- The Cultural Ambassador and Consultant
- A Note on the Online Diploma: Does it Open the Same Doors?
- Your Journey Begins Now
I remember a student of mine, years ago, just after she had successfully completed her final Visharad examination. She held her certificate with a mixture of immense pride and a touch of uncertainty. After years of dedicated sadhana, she looked at me and asked a question that echoes in the heart of every graduating dancer: “Guruji, what’s next?”
It is a profound question. For many, the journey of a diploma in Bharatanatyam is a deeply personal one, undertaken for the love of the art. But it is also so much more. In my two decades as a performer and guru, I have seen this qualification transform from a personal milestone into a professional passport. A formal, university-recognised diploma is the key that unlocks a multitude of doors, many of which aspiring dancers may not even know exist.
The path is not a narrow one leading only to the stage. It is a wide, branching tree of possibilities, grounded in the deep roots of your training. Whether you have pursued a bharatanatyam diploma course in Delhi or an online bharatanatyam diploma from the other side of the world, the opportunities are real and rewarding. Let us explore the incredible career paths that your dedication can open up.
The Stage Awaits: Becoming a Professional Performer
This is, for many, the ultimate dream. The diploma, particularly after completing the rigorous training for the Arangetram (debut solo recital), is your foundational qualification to be recognised as a professional artist. It proves you have the stamina, technique, and repertoire knowledge to command a stage. But beyond this, it is the gateway to prestigious, formal recognition.
The Stamp of National Recognition: Doordarshan Grading
In India, Doordarshan, our national public broadcaster, has long been a patron of the classical arts. Becoming a “graded artiste” of Doordarshan is a significant benchmark of quality and professionalism. Dancers must undergo a rigorous audition process where a panel of experts evaluates their performance. A diploma certificate from a recognised university is a crucial part of the application, as it validates your formal training. Achieving a grade (from B to Top Grade) not only brings immense prestige but also opens up opportunities to be featured in national broadcasts and prestigious government-sponsored festivals.
A Global Ambassador: The Path to ICCR Empanelment
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is the cultural wing of the Government of India, responsible for promoting our heritage globally. To be an “empanelled artist” with the ICCR is to be chosen as a cultural ambassador for the nation. This is one of the highest honours for a performer. Empanelled artists are sponsored to perform at festivals, conduct workshops, and represent India on international stages. Your formal diploma course in bharatanatyam is a testament to the authenticity of your training, a vital credential when applying for this honour.
The Path to Academia: The Scholar-Dancer
Bharatanatyam is not just a physical art; it is a profound intellectual and philosophical tradition. For those with an academic inclination, a diploma is the essential first step into the world of dance scholarship.
From Diploma to Degree: Pursuing an MA and PhD
A UGC-recognised diploma in Bharatanatyam is your formal entry ticket into the world of higher education in the performing arts. It makes you eligible to apply for a Master of Arts (MA) and, subsequently, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Bharatanatyam or related fields from esteemed universities across India. This path allows you to delve deeper into the history, theory, and aesthetics of the art form, contributing to its academic legacy.
Why Academia? Research, Preservation, and Pedagogy
What does a dance scholar do? The possibilities are fascinating. You could research and document rare or vanishing traditions within the art form. You could analyse the Natyashastra and other ancient texts, offering new interpretations. You could develop new, effective teaching methodologies (pedagogy) based on your research. This academic path allows you to contribute to the intellectual preservation of Bharatanatyam, ensuring its theoretical foundations are as strong as its performances.
Carrying the Torch: The Noble Journey of Becoming a Guru
For many, the ultimate fulfilment comes from passing on the knowledge they have received. The journey from student (shishya) to teacher (guru) is a sacred and profound one, and a formal diploma is a cornerstone of this transition.
The First Step: Why a Diploma is Essential for Teaching
A diploma certifies that you have a comprehensive understanding of both the practical and theoretical aspects of Bharatanatyam. It proves you have learned the art systematically and have the knowledge to impart it correctly. Parents seeking a teacher for their children rightly look for this qualification as a mark of credibility. It assures them that the teacher will not cut corners and will pass on the tradition with authenticity.
Building Your Own Gurukul: From Passion to Institution
My own journey led me to found Natyam: School of Dance in Delhi. This entrepreneurial path is one many of my own students aspire to. A Bharatanatyam diploma course gives you the complete curriculum and structural knowledge needed to design your own courses. Whether you dream of starting a local diploma in Bharatanatyam near you or building a global brand with an online diploma in Bharatanatyam, your own certified education is the bedrock upon which you build your institution.
Securing Your Future: Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships
A formal diploma is often a mandatory requirement when applying for government and institutional funding to support your growth as an artist. This financial support can be crucial for undertaking advanced training, creating new choreographic works, or conducting research.
Nurturing Young Talent: The CCRT Scholarship
The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) offers prestigious scholarships to outstanding young artists (typically aged 10-14) to support their advanced training under a qualified guru. Having a student enrolled in a formal diploma programme strengthens their application, showing a serious and structured commitment to the art.
Supporting Established Artists: The Sahitya Kala Parishad Fellowship
Bodies like Delhi’s Sahitya Kala Parishad offer fellowships and grants to junior and senior artists. These are not for basic training, but for supporting artists in their creative endeavours – be it a research project or the production of a new choreographic work. A diploma is a key part of the artist’s portfolio, demonstrating their professional standing.
Beyond the Stage: Diverse Careers in the Arts Ecosystem
The skills you gain during the diploma in Bharatanatyam duration of six to seven years are highly transferable. The discipline, creativity, cultural knowledge, and project management skills are valuable in many adjacent fields.
The Visionary Creator: A Career in Choreography
Many dancers find their true calling in creation. With a deep understanding of the classical vocabulary, you can choreograph for dance companies, theatre productions, films, and major cultural events.
The Arts Manager and Curator
The arts world needs people who are not just administrators but who also have a deep, authentic understanding of the art form. Diploma holders are perfectly positioned to become managers of cultural centres, curators for arts festivals, or programmers for auditoriums.
The Cultural Ambassador and Consultant
Your expertise can be invaluable. Many artists work as consultants for educational institutions developing arts curricula, for corporate houses organising cultural events, or for filmmakers seeking authenticity in their work.
A Note on the Online Diploma: Does it Open the Same Doors?
I am often asked if a diploma in Bharatanatyam distance education holds the same value. My answer is a resounding yes, with one condition: the training must be authentic and rigorous. An online Bharatanatyam diploma from an institution that offers live, interactive classes, personalised feedback, and is affiliated with a UGC-recognised university carries the same weight as its offline counterpart. The certificate is identical, and the opportunities it unlocks are the same.
Your Journey Begins Now
A Bharatanatyam diploma course is far more than an academic pursuit. It is a commitment that shapes you as an artist and as a person. It is the key that unlocks a world of fulfilling and diverse career opportunities, allowing you to build a life around your passion. It transforms your love for dance into a credible, respected, and versatile profession. Your diploma is not an endpoint; it is the beautifully decorated, official gateway to your professional journey in the arts.
Frequently Asked Questions about Careers in Bharatanatyam
1. Is Bharatanatyam a viable full-time career option in today’s world?
This is a question I address with both passion and realism. Yes, a full-time career in Bharatanatyam is absolutely viable, but it requires dedication and an entrepreneurial spirit. The traditional idea of only being a stage performer has expanded. A successful modern career is often a beautiful portfolio of activities: performing, teaching your own students, conducting workshops, and choreographing. A formal diploma in Bharatanatyam is the foundation that gives you the credibility to build this multi-faceted and fulfilling career.
2. What is the realistic earning potential for a dancer with a Bharatanatyam diploma?
This is an important and practical concern. Unlike a salaried job, a dancer’s income is not fixed and can vary greatly based on reputation, experience, and location. Initially, income comes from a combination of teaching fees from a growing base of students and performance fees for recitals. As an artist’s reputation grows, they can command higher fees for performances, secure international tours, and earn from specialised choreography projects or workshops. The diploma is the key to unlocking these higher-tier opportunities that lead to a sustainable income.
3. What is the difference between a Diploma in Bharatanatyam and a full university degree (like a BA or MA)?
Think of them as two crucial stages of the same path. A diploma course in Bharatanatyam is a deep, practice-oriented qualification focused on mastering the physical technique, repertoire, and core theory. A university degree (BA/MA) is more academic, focusing on research, history, and the theoretical analysis of the art form. The diploma provides the essential, in-depth practical knowledge that is often a prerequisite to even enrol in a credible MA or PhD programme.
4. Are there government jobs or positions available for Bharatanatyam diploma holders?
Yes, a formal diploma opens doors to several government and government-aided opportunities. It is the foundational qualification for applying for Doordarshan grading, which allows you to perform on the national broadcast network. It is also key for ICCR empanelment, which sponsors artists to represent India internationally. Furthermore, it makes you eligible for teaching positions in cultural centres and, when combined with a university degree, for roles in government colleges or institutions like the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
5. How does an artist practically apply for ICCR empanelment after completing their diploma?
The journey to becoming an ICCR-empanelled artist requires dedication beyond the diploma. After completing your qualification and ideally your Arangetram, the first step is to build a strong performance portfolio. This includes high-quality recordings of your recitals, press clippings, and a detailed curriculum vitae. The ICCR periodically releases notifications on its official website inviting applications from artists. You would then submit your portfolio for review, which is typically followed by a rigorous in-person audition in front of an expert committee.
6. Is a diploma enough to be considered a qualified teacher?
Completing an advanced level like the Visharad from a bharatanatyam diploma course provides you with the comprehensive knowledge of both practical and theoretical aspects required to teach with authenticity. It gives you the credibility to start teaching, especially to beginner and intermediate students. However, becoming a true guru is a lifelong journey that involves continuous learning, performing, and maturing as an artist yourself.
7. What opportunities exist in arts management or curation for someone with a deep knowledge of Bharatanatyam?
This is a wonderfully creative and increasingly important career path. A dancer with a diploma has an invaluable understanding of the art form’s needs. This expertise is highly sought after for roles in managing cultural festivals, programming for theatres and auditoriums, or working with arts foundations and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. You can become the person who creates the platforms for other artists to shine because you truly understand the art from the inside out.
8. What is the CCRT scholarship, and who is typically eligible to apply for it?
The CCRT (Centre for Cultural Resources and Training) scholarship is a prestigious award given by the Government of India to support exceptionally talented young artists. It is specifically for children, typically between the ages of 10 and 14, to help fund their advanced training under a recognised guru. A student’s enrolment in a structured diploma course in bharatanatyam can significantly strengthen their application, as it demonstrates a serious and disciplined approach to their training.
9. Does an online bharatanatyam diploma carry the same weight when applying for professional opportunities?
Yes, provided it meets the standard of quality. An online bharatanatyam diploma or a diploma in bharatanatyam distance education that is affiliated with a UGC-recognised university, like IKSVV, and involves live, interactive training and rigorous assessment, results in the very same certificate as an in-person course. Therefore, for academic and professional purposes, such as applying for an MA programme or for Doordarshan grading, it holds the same official value and recognition.
10. After completing the diploma, how long does it typically take to establish a professional career?
The diploma is your launchpad, but building a career is a marathon, not a sprint. The journey after graduation is one of building your reputation. It takes time – often several years – of consistent performing, networking within the arts community, and perhaps starting to teach, to become established. I always advise my students to be patient, to continue learning from senior artists, and to seek every opportunity to share their art. A career in dance is built one performance, one class, and one connection at a time.