Bharatanatyam

The Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose is dedicated to promoting and perpetuating the classical dance forms of India: Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Odissi.. In pursuit of this mission Abhinaya conducts a four-tiered dance instruction program, which has been structured like traditional dance training programs operated in India. It provides access to professionally directed instruction by master artists to the region's Indian-American youth.

Abhinaya primarily focuses on the Bharatanatyam style of classical dance Over the centuries, different schools (Baanis) of Bharatanatyam have arisen, based on variations in the dance technique as taught by the different hereditary lines of gurus (master-teachers). Of these, the best-known and distinctive baanis are the Pandanallur Baani derived from the Tanjore quartet of brothers, who established the traditional repertoire of Bharatanatyam in the 19th century, and transmitted by Pandanallur Meenakshisundaram Pillai and his descendants and disciples; the Vazhuvoor Baani practised by Vazhuvoor Ramaiya Pillai and his descendants and disciples; and from the 20th century, the Kalakshetra style as structured in the institution of Kalakshetra, Chennai.. A few other traditions with minor technical variations are also seen from other parts of Tanjore in Tamil Nadu.

Students at Abhinaya train and perform in the Pandanallur Baani. Students progress through beginner, intermediate, juniors, and advanced level classes and strive to perform their Arangetram. In an Arangetram, which literally means 'to ascend the stage', the student demonstrates her proficiency in all aspects of the art form by presenting a solo debut performance of over two hours.

View Fall 2008 Class Schedule
View Bharatanatyam Teaching Staff