Today lets explore BHARATANATYAM VARNAM.
Iam presenting this Item again.
Presenting Varnam with some editing in the content along with a fresh video.
Varnams are usually dedicated to Lord Nataraja and is specific to the Deity located in any of the Chola temples.
There are 2 main Natarajar Temples that was constructed by the Chola Dynasty.
Tamilnadu was ruled by 3 Dynasties : The Cholas, The Cheras and The Pandyas.
Lord Natarajar was the family deity of the Chola Kings.
The Great Thillai Natarajar temple at Chidambaram was constructed in 10th century by the Chola Dynasty. Chidambaram was the capital of Chola Dynasty then.
It is believed that during the Vedic period - Lord Shiva had performed Ananda Tandavam in this place where the temple stands tall today.
"Chidambaram" means "Atmosphere of Consciousness".
There is a hall inside Chidambaram Temple called Chit Sabha means "Hall of Consciousness"
People believe that there is some EMPTY SPACE inside the Chidambaram temple, but the reality is that the "Garbha Griha" in Chidambaram temple is "EMPTY" that represents "SPACE - Akasha Lingam".
When the curtain (Approximate meaning of curtain is Maya) is removed ; one can view the secret ; The secret is EMPTINESS.
Lord Natarajar is seen performing COSMIC DANCE inside the - "CHIT-SABHA" = "THE HALL OF CONSCIOUSNESS" OR "THE GOLDEN STAGE".
Dance of Supreme Bliss - Ananda Tandavam !
The temple has a space which is called as CHIDAMBARA RAGASIYAM.
There is a CURTAIN here inside the temple premises, nobody knows what is behind the curtain; when the priest opens the CURTAIN the devotees can see EMPTINESS inside, meaning there is NOTHING behind the curtain.
The theory behind this temple is that the "CURTAIN represents ILLUSION" - Once you remove ILLUSION from your life only then you can experience EMPTINESS.
The temple has Natarajar's 108 dancing stone sculptures which forms the foundation of Natya Veda.
If you can see the ILLUSION then you can REMOVE IT.
YOU MUST SEE THE ILLUSION IN ORDER TO GET ENLIGHTENED.
Varnams are based on the above CONCEPT.
Varnam is a part of Margam repertoire and it is one of the longest item of all the Items.
Varnam is equivalent to standing in front of the curtain called Maya and waiting for the curtain that represents Illusion to be opened and removed.
When Gods are celebrated there are RULERS behind it.
The Great Chola King : Raja Raja Cholan and his sister offering prayers to Thillai Natarajar.
From the movie Raja Raja Cholan.
Later the capital of Chola Dynasty was moved to Thanjavur.
Brihadisvara Natarajar temple was constructed by the Chola Dynasty between 1003 and 1010 AD in the new capital Tanjore - Thanjavur.
Brihadisvara Natarajar Temple also called as Raja Rajesvaram Temple is named after the great Raja Raja Cholan.
The 1000 year old epitome of Dravidian Architecture is a part of UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES.
Both the temples are called as the "GREAT LIVING CHOLA TEMPLE" along with many other small temples.
The following Varnam is dedicated to Lord Natarajar of Brihadisvara temple located in
Thanjavur - Tamilnadu.
The first part of the Varnam is based on Muktaayi Swara.
The second part of the Varnam is based on Chittaswara and
The third part of the Varnam is also based on Chittaswara.
Iam presenting Part 1 that is based on Muktaayi Swara.
This Varnam is dedicated to Lord Natarajar residing in Brihadisvara temple in Thanjavur.
Varnam
Song : Manavi
Language : Telugu
Ragam : Shankarabharanam
Talam : Adi Talam
Part 1.0
I want to heal my energies by Practicing Bharata Abhinaya Veda in its original form and practice natyam just like how Lord Shiva practice natyam for the Ragam called Kambhoji on Mount Kailash.
Teermanam Adavu - The supposedly most graceful dance unit/movement of Bharatanatyam.
I love this dance unit.
Part 2.1
Part 2.2
Part 3.0
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