Shabdam is a Bharatanatyam Item in which the Expressions (or Abhinaya) are introduced for the first time in the repertoire. The song (saahityam) is usually separated into stanzas and between each stanza, you'll have a simple Korvai (nritta steps). To read more about a Shabdam in Bharatanatyam, please click here.
"Thillai Ambalam" is a Shabdam on Lord Shiva. This Shabdam depicts a female devotee,
who is amazed and enamored by the dance of Lord Shiva and describes the
myriad feelings and dreams that she experiences in the hopes of uniting
with him. The 'Naayika' wonders if Lord Nataraja, the one who dances at the golden
temple of Chidambaram, would ever realize her love and accept her as his
own
If you don't know what a Shabdam in Bharatanatyam means, I urge you to read my article on the same. It is an item wherein the Abhinaya (or expressions) are introduced for the first time in a recital. Needless to say, the emphasis being on Abhinaya, Shabdam is not a Nritta-piece.
Thandai Muzhanga is a beautiful dance piece on Lord Karthikeya (or Lord Muruga) who is the son of Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati. Almost 9 years ago, I did this very same Shabdam for my Arangetram. I've learned quite a few Shabdams since then, but this remains to be my favorite item.
Although the audio in this video is not clear, it'll give you an idea of the tune of this Shabdam. I found this on YouTube. If you want the Thandai Muzhanga Shabdam SONG for download, please click "Read More"
Shabdam is a Bharatanatyam Item in which the Expressions (or Abhinaya) are introduced for the first time in the repertoire. The song (saahityam) is usually separated into stanzas and between each stanza, you'll have a simple Korvai (nritta steps). Each stanza can contain a different story or all of them put together
is one single story. But essentially the whole item is about one person, one theme.
This item is usually set to the Misra Chapu Thaalam and Ragamalika (different Ragams or Tunes for different stanzas). Misra Chapu Thaalam is a series of 7 beats (1-2-3 ; 1-2-3-4 or tha-ki-ta ; tha-ka-dhi-mi)
The movements here are leisurely. In the Shabdam, emotions are withheld
at the beginning; thereafter, when the dancer has clarified herself,
they are released in a measured and disciplined manner.
Shabdams are also referred to as Yashogeethams . They have also inherited
an Islamic Influence of repeating the Salaam or Namostute (paying
respects to the Almighty or the King) at the end of each line. This
pleased the patrons. Initially Shabdams were composed and rendered in
one Raaga. But it is now a common practice to use one Raaga (or tune) for each stanza and present the composition in Raagamalika.
Some of the Shabdams that I know of are listed below. There may be many more to the list. Please let me know by leaving a comment on this post. I shall be happy to update the list -
