item is the tillana (grand finale), a sparkling piece where dancer abandons herself to rhythm and movement. The patterns traced by the dancer resemble the sculptures in South Indian temples. Finally, Mangalam or a short prayer marks the end of the recital (Koirala, p.3).Training for Bharata Natyam under the right teacher, known as a Guru can be a process that requires many years to complete. At least 10 - 12 years of training is necessary to give a commendable performance to a public audience. Hence, the guru will decide when the student is ready for public appearance. Admittedly , this long process is the reason why many dancers never complete the whole course. Whether taken as a hobby or a profession Bharata Natyam certainly needs lot of practice, concentration and dedication. The sequence of items taught is traditionally the same as the sequence described above. These views and facts area mere overview of Bharata Natyam. To discuss it in detail would require an extensive amount space and time.It is sad fact however, that despite being one of the oldest dances, in the world Bharata Natyam is not known to many people outside of the Indian culture. Overall, Bharata Natyam can be a wonderful theatrical, emotional and spiritual event for audience and the dancer alike. A final thought which I personally wrote on the experience of Bharata Natyam:“We bow to Him the benevolent OneWhose limbs are the world, Whose song and poetry are the essence of all language,Whose costume is the moon and the stars..." Works Cited1. Bhagyalekshmy, Shanker. Approach to Bharata Natyam. Pennsylvania: Rodale Press, 1997.2. Chandra, G.S. Sharat. Bharata Natyam Dancer. New York: Ind-US, 1976. 3. Koirala, Manisha. “Bharata Natyam.” 3 Nov. 1995. Indian Cultural Association. 16 November 1998. *http://www.ibm.park.org/indiantro.html*4. Medhuri, Avanthi. “Classical Bharata Natyam.” India Worldwide 31 December 1995: 12-21. 5. Rai, Ais...
