Today we will explore Padam ; the 6th Item of Bharatanatyam Syllabus.
Bharatanatyam Padam will teach you how to slow down ; pause and take a deep breathe and pull yourself back.
Before beginning with Padam lets explore the 3 Aspects of Natya Veda.
Padam is LASYAM.
1. Nrittam = PURE BODY MOVEMENTS.
Patterns are created in SPACE and TIME.
Nrittam will teach you how to SPEED UP in life.
Ex : Bharatanatyam Items : Alarippu and Jatiswaram.
2. Nrityam = EMOTIONS WITH NO BODY MOVEMENTS.
Nrityam will teach you how to SLOW DOWN in life.
There is a Sahityam / Story and the entire story is narrated through Hand Gestures ; Eyes ; Face etc.
Ex : Bharatanatyam Items : Padam ; Javali.
3. Natyam = COMBINATION OF NRITTAM + NRITYAM.
Ex : Bharatanatyam Items : Thillana ; Keerthanam.
One can assert the supreme validity of Advaitha Vedanta in Natya Veda.
Nrittam is a Dynamic Phenomena = Dance performed by Lord Shiva (Tandavam).
Nrityam is Eternal Substratum = Dance performed by Goddess Parvathy (Lasyam).
Both are the aspects of BRAHMAN and depicts the personification of Masculine and Feminine energy.
As per Natya Shastra ;
Nrittam + Nrityam = Natyam.
Natyam = Natya Veda.
In life many times you find yourself speeding up and stressing out.
Padam metaphorically teaches you to PULL YOURSELF BACK AND TAKE A DEEP BREATHE.
Slowing down is a CONSCIOUS CHOICE and not always an EASY ONE ; but it will always lead to a GREATER LEVEL OF HAPPINESS.
Iam presenting Padam today ;
Bharatanatyam Item : Padam
Language : Tamil
Composed by : Muttu Tandavar
Ragam : Khamas
Talam : Adi - Talam
Song : Theruvil Varano (Will Lord Natarajar pass by this street) ?
Story : This Padam is about a Lovelord Maiden (Devotee) of Lord Natarajar who looks out for the passing Chariot - Palanquin / Procession carrying the Lord of Chidambaram Natarajar hoping to have his darshan and a loving glance compassion from the lord to assuage her longing for Lord Natarajar.
She is wondering if the street in which she lives will be on the procession route and whether the lord will cast a glance at her waiting at the door-front?.
She wishes that the Lord will halt in front of her Door and whisper sweet things to her.
Finally she realizes that the Lord belongs to the world and cannot solely belong to her and the lord's left hand signalling his feet is exhorting her to worship his feet.
Slow down with Padam !
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