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Make Up, Ornaments & Dress (Part1) __Bharat Natyam


                The importance of make-up and ornamentation related to Aharya Abhinaya as Rangabhusa aspect cannot be denied at any stage. Each and every Indian classical dance form has its own specific ornaments which is heavily influenced by its surrounding culture. For example in Orissi, silver ornaments are worn as the region produces abundance of silver. Exclusive use of
Eye Make Up
Diamonds and Rubies or semi precious stones are used in Bhartanatyam, known as Temple Jewellery. Mohiniattam uses Gold as its main metal. The ornaments that are exclusively worn in BharatNatyam are mentioned below with illustrations.


Make Up :  Make up is also given much importance. Curving the eyebrows and brightening the eyes are integral part of the facial make up. The straightening and high lightening the nose and the cheek bone are equally important. There are particular techniques to highlight different features. It is very important to learn the techniques. Students are taught the art of getting ready within a minimum amount of time. Workshops need to be arranged to impart this knowledge. The base make up is of paramount importance. The color of the foundation and concealer needs to be selected carefully. It is customeray to keep the make up as normal as possible. In order to emphasise the normal make up a black dot is drawn on the face dnoting the normalcy. The bindi is mandatory. The size of the bindi should be proportionate according to the face and character portrayal.

Artist : Esha Banerjee
Salangai : The importance of Salangai or the Ghunrus is specifically mentioned in Natya Shastra. The weight of the dancing bells should be according to the body weight and the age of the dancers. Before Salangai Pujai, where the students and her/his family performs religious rituals in front of the community with the help of Guru and his or her family the student is not allowed to wear the ghungroo.This pujai is normally done in front of Natraja or Ganesha but no specification is found in any ancient texts.  The feet are adorned with Alta in various fashion. One of  which is 3 or 4 triangles in each side and one in the back. For the hands it is put in accordance to the character. For Example : The performer playing Vishnu normally will have the entire palm painted red.

Different Hair Accessories
Artist : Smruti
Bindi  :  Bindi also should be put according to the charecter performed. For example : If one is performing Shiva dance, the three  white lines can be drawn depicting the Bibhuti. While performing a calm character one can draw a half moon (cresent of moon) depicting peace. While performing a strong and powerfull charecter one can draw Sun. Normally depending on the size and shape of the face, a circle or a horizontal Bindi is drawn on the face.
Different Hair Style
Hair Do :In Tanjavur style both two buns and one bun or Kondaie is used. The color of the flower varies with the season and is not specific. Generally White and Orange flowers are used. Reddish flowers are also very common.  Use of crown or tiara is not
uncommon in Tanjavur style of Bharatnatyam.  The remaining hair is beaded and tied with the belt. The beads can be decorated with flowers as well as ornaments. Above are the few photos of hair do.

Ornaments :  In Bharatnatyam the ornaments that are worn is golden with stones.  Following are the pictures of the ornaments that are worn in different parts of the body. Each and every ornament adds to the beauty of the performer. The male dancers wear the neck piece and earrings.  The Chart below has all the ornaments listed that are generally worn during performances. It is important that the students (especially the non- Tamil speaking)are taught these from a very early age, so that it becomes easy for them at a later stage.







Author's Note :  We have received quite a few request on the tutorials of Make Up and Hair Do. We are yet to record the same. We will definitely try and start posting the same by end of  next month.


Next Page : Different styles of Bharat Natyam dress and its background. It has come to our notice that there is a steady demand of tailors and the places from where jewelry can be purchased for various classical dance. We have decided to collect the data and post the same at a later date. People/Merchant/Institutions interested to submit there request to add on to that list can drop in a mail at sangeetkalakendra1@gmail.com






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