Bharata Natyam Dancing at Sarla - Restaurants & Bars, Eating Out in Milan

Bharata Natyam Dancing at Sarla
Sarla Indian Restaurant hosts cultural events in Milan

Here in Milan, you can experience first hand the Bharata Natyam at Sarla Indian restaurant in Via Stampa 4. The performance is much more than mere entertainment, it is a 2500 year old art of dance and story telling, using only the body, emotions and facial expressions of the "simple, mortal man".

One of the most ancient forms of classical Indian dances, the Bharata Natyam is a discipline that takes years to learn and perfect.

Here in Mlan, you can experience first hand the Bharata Natyam at Sarla Indian restaurant in Via Stampa 4. The performance is much more than mere entertainment, it is a 2500 year old art of dance and story telling, using only the body, emotions and facial expressions of the "simple, mortal man".

Originally performed by men and women in temples and for royalty, dancers act out stories of love and romance, as well as parables from the Hindu scriptures of the gods and forces of nature. Bharata Natyam was banned in India during the Victorian period of English colonization, as it was considered "too explicate" and "suggestive". It is an art form that has expanded beyond Indian's borders and has been passed on to the younger generations from maestro to pupil, thus working it's way around the world. It is once again considered a noble and important art form of India.

Marcella Bassanesi, an Ialian Bharata Natyam instructor arrives at Sarla about an hour before her performance. She is already dressed in a traditional costume and her face make-up is already in place, lighting up her face with exaggerated colors and contours. Her companion, helps her decorate her body with red henna. He paints her hands. The hands are decorated with a red central dot and her finger tips are covered with the henna. She explains "Red is the color of energy. In paintings and artwork, when the gods offer blessings, their hands are always open, palms out," she shows me the dot on her palm, "this is where the energy originates, this is where the blessing comes from". Her bare feet decorated with "shoes". She explains that the ancient dancers always performed for others, mainly of higher social class. They could not afford the luxury of shoes, so on such occasions, shoes would be painted their feet as an expression of value in the company of the wealthy.

Restaurant service is interrupted during the time of the performance. The dancer takes her place in the open area of the main room and the music begins. Her whole body is absorbed by the music and moves in rhythmic synchrony of the fast drum beat. Her body positions communicate the emotions of Ganesha, a god that is represented in the form of the elephant, the animal of wisdom. A calm and soothing man's voice narrates the story and tells us of some of the history behind Bharata Natyam.

I was moved by her gracefulness and ability to express emotions so openly. I went to thank her afterwards and to express my gratitude. I not only saw it as a beautiful performance, but I was able to perceive a great appreciation for her dedication. She was able to convey her personal love for what she does in the brief performance. She graciously accepted the compliments saying "it's not me, it is energy, the gods communicating. They are a part of me." We spoke at length, mostly about communicating and body language. I spoke of my experience first moving to Italy. As a foreigner you are limited to using body language and facial expressions when you do not speak the language. It is a trait common and even instinctive of all human beings, no matter what race or culture.

She demonstrated one of the dance positions - her back upright, outstretching her arm and bending the elbow at an angle. She said" look- this position is good." Then something in her eyes and the muscles in her face changed. Remaining in the same position, she was emitting joy and serenity. Then she said, " but this is what has to be communicated, this is correct."

It really is a memorable evening and a good dose of cultural enrichment to see the Bharata Natyam.
I highly recommend it.

Click here for Sarla event listings: http://www.sarla.it

Credits:
Article: Celia Abernethy
Photographs: Celia Abernethy, Fabio Petrone

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