Navigating the Narrative Arc of Varnam in Bharatanatyam
Varnam in Bharatanatyam is a sophisticated dance form that blends pure dance (nritta) and expression (abhinaya) to narrate stories or convey themes. It is a demanding and central piece in Bharatanatyam Margam, requiring high skill and stamina from dancers.
Margam in Bharatanatyam
Margam refers to the traditional sequence or repertoire of items performed in a solo dance recital. The term "Margam" in Tamil translates to "path" or "way," symbolising the structured, sacred progression followed by dancers during their performance. This sequence is a significant aspect of Bharatanatyam, guiding dancers through a journey of various compositions that showcase their skills and artistry.
Margam Sequence
Alarippu: An invocation thanking gods, the guru and audience, seeking their blessings. It sets the tone for the performance and prepares the dancer for what lies ahead.
Jathiswaram: Incorporates melody into the dance, with dancers synchronising movements to Carnatic music beats.
Sabdam: Involves the addition of expressed words to the dance.
Varnam: The core of a Bharatanatyam performance, where the dancer narrates a story through hand and body movements.
Padham: Focuses on Abhinaya (expressions), with lighter music and more engrossed dance.
Thillana: The climax section of the dance performance.
Shlokam/Mangalam: Final section where the dancer seeks blessings
Varnam Structure
The structure of a varnam typically includes sections like Pallavi, Anupallavi, Charanam, Mukthayi Swaram, Charanam Repeat, and Pallavi Repeat.
Pallavi:
- The Pallavi serves as the opening segment of the Varnam, introducing the main melody. Dancers use this section to establish the mood and rhythm of the piece, setting the stage for the unfolding story or theme.
Anupallavi:
- Following the Pallavi, the Anupallavi presents a variation of the main melody. This section adds depth and complexity to the musical composition, allowing dancers to explore different nuances and expressions within the established framework.
Charanam:
- The Charanam forms the core of the Varnam, where dancers delve into storytelling and thematic expression through a blend of pure dance (nritta) and emotive gestures (abhinaya). This section is pivotal in conveying the essence of the narrative to the audience.
Mukthayi Swaram:
- Transitioning into a purely instrumental phase, the Mukthayi Swaram showcases the musician's improvisational skills. This interlude provides a musical interplay that complements and enhances the overall performance, adding depth and richness to the Varnam.
Charanam Repeat:
- The Charanam Repeat revisits the central theme presented in the Charanam section, offering variations in both dance movements and expressive storytelling. Dancers use this repetition to further elaborate on emotions and motifs introduced earlier in the performance.
Pallavi Repeat:
- Concluding the Varnam, the Pallavi Repeat brings back the initial melody introduced at the beginning. This repetition serves as a harmonious closure to the performance, echoing themes and motifs from earlier sections while providing a sense of resolution and completeness.
These sections collectively form a cohesive narrative arc within a Varnam, guiding dancers through a journey of expression, rhythm, and emotion that captivates audiences with its intricate choreography and profound storytelling.
Expression and Dance in Varnams
Varnams are known for their intertwining of pure dance and expression. The composition of a varnam allows dancers to improvise on emotions (rasa) by weaving transitory states (sanchari bhavams) with dominant states (sthayi bhavam).
Sanchari Bhavams are transient emotions that arise alongside the permanent emotions known as Sthayi Bhavams. These fleeting emotions are dynamic and include various types such as disgust, torment, doubt, anxiety, jealousy, and more. They are stimulated by external factors and merge into the permanent emotions like ripples in water.
On the other hand, Sthavi Bhavams are the permanent emotions according to Bharat Muni's Natya Shastra. These include love, amusement, sorrow, anger, liveliness, terror, disgust, and amazement. Sthavi Bhavams remain constant within an individual despite experiencing various transient emotions. They form the foundation of emotional expression in classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam.
Themes in Varnams
Popular themes in Varnams revolve around Sringara rasa (romantic love) and Bhakti (devotion expressed through love to God). The sahitya in Varnams describes the nayaka's virtues, the nayika's yearning for love, and provides scope for dancers to enhance emotions through abhinaya. The performance of Varnams involves intricate footwork, hand gestures, facial expressions, and rhythmic elements like Trikala Jathi and Sollukattus executed in different speeds.
In summary, Varnams are intricate compositions in Bharatanatyam that demand technical prowess and artistic expression from dancers. They serve as a platform for dancers to showcase their skills in both pure dance and storytelling through expressive movements.