Over two centuries Bharatanatyam has evolved from a highly codified style to one affording the maximum freedom to innovate. The journey of the dance from the temple to the proscenium is a fascinating story. No other form has traversed such a long distance without losing its original content and yet being a sparkling example of creative evolution in terms of material, music, costume, etc. Bharatanatyam today ranks as a major cultural symbol of India. The heritage, the histrionics, the pioneers, prodigals and prima donnas of this dance form are what this book celebrates. Bharatanatyam is synonymous with ‘Bharat’ – India – which dances to the eternal sounds of the drums of the universe. In that the dance is like time, a performance without end or beginning.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ashish Mohan Khokar
Ashish Mohan Khokar's voice carries a stamp of authority, as aseasoned ommentator on Indian dance. He hails from the first family of dance in India. His fathr, the late Mohan Khokar, is universally accepted as a pioneering scholar of Indian dance and created India's largest archive on dance. His mother, M.K. Saroja, is a veteran Bharatanatyam dancer and guru. Ashich himself learnt three classical ance forms and has worked as an arts administrator internationally co-ordinating the Festivals of India in France, Sweden, Germany and China. He was Director of INTACH and Martand Singh Consultants. He has authored several books on Indian arts and culture and is a dance critic and columnist of the world's largest circulated daily The Times of India. He publishes and edits India's first and only year-book on dance, Attendance. He is married to Elisabeth and they live in Chennai and Banglore.
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