Nritta in Bharatanatyam

Nritta is one of the core components of Bharatanatyam, focusing purely on rhythm and movement. Unlike abhinaya, which is centred around expression and storytelling, Nritta is all about the beauty of dance itself. It showcases the dancer’s technique, precision, and control, creating a visual feast through intricate footwork, graceful body movements, and rhythmic patterns.

In a Bharatanatyam performance, Nritta pieces are typically woven into the structure of the recital to balance storytelling sections. For instance, in pieces like Jatiswaram or Tillana, the focus is entirely on pure dance. There is no emotional narrative or character portrayal—just the dancer moving in sync with the beat, expressing the joy and complexity of rhythm.

Nritta can be seen as the dancer’s way of celebrating rhythm and music. The footwork, or adavus, forms the backbone of Nritta. These adavus are a series of steps and patterns that are practiced extensively to achieve precision. Each adavu consists of coordinated movements of the feet, hands, and body, performed in perfect sync with the music. A Bharatanatyam dancer spends years mastering these sequences, learning how to make their movements both sharp and fluid, fast and graceful.

But Nritta isn’t just about speed or complexity. There’s a certain joy in watching a dancer perform Nritta, as their movements seem to flow effortlessly, creating patterns in space that are mesmerising. The sharp sound of the ankle bells or golusu, ringing in time with the footwork enhances the rhythm, while the dancer’s hand gestures or mudras, and body movements complete the visual appeal.

Though Nritta doesn’t tell a story, it allows the dancer to showcase their skill and discipline. It’s a reminder that Bharatanatyam is not just about conveying emotion but also about honouring the technical artistry of dance. Nritta allows both the dancer and the audience to revel in the sheer beauty of movement, making it an essential and exciting part of every Bharatanatyam performance.