Bharatha Natyam gained the status as one of the topmost classical dance forms of India. It has a divine origin and sacred historical background. Earlier Bharatha Natyam teachers firmly and strictly adhered to the standards and styles. The art was earlier taught in Gurukulams.
Gurukulams means, where the students stayed with traditional gurus and served them and learned the art with dedication and devotion and absorbed the art form thoroughly. These traditional hereditary gurus took the classes without any time limit.
They not only taught the art form along with the art but also imparted the full confidence into their students in life and imparted the full nuances of Bharatha Natyam, along with the dance training.
Along with the dance base, they trained the Carnatic music which is essential for Bharatha Natyam students.
The Carnatic music is the source and base music for the Bharatha Natyam. During the Gurukulam period, students took dance as a full-time profession hence they learned the art with keen devotion, dedication and involvement.
Earlier the traditional gurus taught the art not on the selective standard level to all the students, but according to the ability, personal talents, age and different skills. The students in the Gurukula system learnt the art under one and the same teacher and under the same style for years together.
It cherished the individual imaginative creativity and strict perfection.
With the passage of time, this art form has moved to institutions.
After the art has moved to institutions, the methodology of teaching took a new turn and dimension.
At an institution, the student learns the different aspects and concepts of the art under different gurus and their course is confined to a particular time limit and defined syllabus. Individual imaginative creativity is strictly limited to institutions. Today most of the fine arts have come under degree level; even the students want to learn the performing arts for the purpose of a degree only.
Most of the students learn Bharatha Natyam as a part-time course today. They attend classes twice a week or once a week. Earlier the dance teachers were good vocalists and had good knowledge of Carnatic music; they imparted basic Carnatic music for the students.
However, today most of the teachers are using the tape music or C.D. players for the practices and recitals as well.
A new methodology in the Bharatha Natyam training has emerged in the dance field to fulfil the aspirations of the student community to earn a degree or a diploma through the distance education system.
Written theory materials and practical illustrations are given in advanced compact discs which are sent by post.
The examiners expect that the candidates who are sitting the practical examinations should strictly perform according to the C.Ds. So, by the way, they are restricting the imaginative creativity of the students. The modern technology has helped students to earn a certificate or degree in dance to seek a job.
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