Aharyam...      

  Aangikkam Bhuvanam (your gesture is the        world) yeshya (and) Vachikkam Sarva Vaang Mayam (your words/music prevail every where in all languages); Aharyam Chandra Taraditvam (your décor is the moon and stars); namaha (we bow) Saatvikkam Shivam (your emotion is Truth).

 As the artistic director and guru of Kalairani Natya Saalai, for decades, and known for having a large collection of Bharatanatyam costumes (I have often joked that I could have built a house for the amount of money invested in KNS costumes jewelry and props), I have given my thoughts about the Bharatanatyam decor in this section.  I trust it will be useful to my own students and others.                                                        
                  -- Rani

For a complete coverage on costumes and jewelry click on www.ranidevi.com
 

History

The world existed with 4 vedas; VEDA means philosophy.  The four Vedas were RIG, ATHARVA, SAMA, YAJUR.  Sages felt these Vedas were too rigid and wanted something more uplifting and enlightening.  God INDIRA came up with the idea to create a 5^th Veda and told God BRAMMA who reviewed the presentation and summoned sage BHARATAMUNI to undertake the task.  (Muni means sage so actual name is Bharata).  Bharatamuni took assistance from TANDU who felt there was a lack of grace called LASYA or LAYA so a 100 APSARAS (females) were created to portray grace. It was only after that, Shiva mastered the dance style. Words (Vachikkam) were taken from RIG Veda.  Emotions (Saatvikkam) were taken from ATHARVA Veda.  Music was taken from SAMA Veda. Gesture (Aangikkam) was taken from YAJUR Veda. 

 And a 5^th Veda called NATYA Veda was created.  A 5^th element of AHARYAM or Décor was added to this Natya Veda.