The Play
- Brahma extracted the essence of the four Vedas and created the fifth, the Natya Veda.
- Bharata Muni was given the responsibility to produce the first play before Shiva, the Cosmic Dancer, on Mount Kailasha.
- Shiva was deeply moved and was inspired to contribute abstract dance, nritta, to this new art.
Natya Shastra
- Brahma requested Shiva to teach the art of dance to Bharata Muni who was in the process of compiling the epic, Natyashastra.
- The Natya Shastra was written to retell the messages of Natya Veda in a form easily grasped by the common man.
108 Karanas
- Shiva instructed saint Tandu to teach Bharata the nritta, comprising of Karanas.
- There were many dance forms that Tandu has learnt during his time with Shiva.
- Tandu proceeded to teach Bharata the 108 Karanas.
- A Karana in dance is defined as “The coordination of the movements of the hands and feet“.
Thandavam
- 108 Karanas are combined to form Angaharas.
- Shiva’s Thandavam is embellished with 108 Karanas and 32 angaharas(the composite parts of the dance).
- This dance was named as “Thandavam”, because of being explained by Tandu.
