SHIVA SHLOKA
Aangikam Bhuvanam Yasya
Vachikam Sarva Vaanmayam
Ahaaryam Chandra Taaradi
Tam Vande Sattwikam Shivam
*
We bow to the Lord Shiva,
Whose body is the whole Universe,
Whose speech is the entire languages,
And whose ornaments are the moon and stars
Bharatanatyam is one of eight Indian dance styles, which are considered classical. It’s also one of the oldest professional performative dances in the world with history over 2000 years and rooted in temple dance of Vedic rituals. The technic and conceptual meaning of this style can be found already in Nāṭya Shāstra – the so called “Fifth Veda” or the first drama manual, in which are presented all major principles of Indian arts. According to Nāṭya Shāstra, the purpose and higher meaning of any art is to evoke enriching aesthetiv ecperience – called rasa – which is often related to spiritual purposes. There is a beautiful quote from this ancient treatise of arts, saying how for those who walk the inner path, experiencing art can have the same effect as studying sacred scriptures. This approach gives art in Indian culture special authority, including art of dance.
In final, 36th chapter of Natyashastra it is said that participating in vocal or instrumental music once is superior to bathing in river Ganges for a thousand days.
Saile started learning Bharatanatyam since 2018, so she is only a beginner in this difficult style, but nevertheless her interest toward this dance is very great in practice as well as in theory. Currently she is also doing theoretical research about the roots and cultural meaning of Bharatanatyam.
Her teachers are Triinu Heinsoo (in the middle of following picture) and Maare-Marika Heinsoo – her mother and teacher in Bharatanatyam.
At summer 2023 famous Indian dancer and choreographer Rukmini Vijayakumar gave performance and workshop in Estonia, where Saile also participated.
With small group residing in city of Tartu, Saile gives performances in different local venues and concerts.
With small group residing in city of Tartu, Saile gives performances in different local venues and concerts.
Photo: HEM Visuals
For more PICTURES of Bharatanatyam projects, see HERE.
In one winter Saile was inspired to dance Shiva Shloka barefoot in snow – to read a little bit more about this, see HERE.