HONG KONG, July 30, 2014 - Bharatanatyam is a classical Indian dance form that originated in the temples of Tamil Nadu, a southern province of India. This dance form denotes various 19th- 20th-century reconstructions of Sadir, a solo dance form performed by the temple dancers called Devadasis. It was described in the treatise Natya Shastra by Bharata around the beginning of the common era (CE). Bharatanatyam is known for its grace, purity, tenderness, and sculpturesque poses. Lord Shiva is considered the god of this dance form. Today, it is one of the most popular and widely performed dance styles and is practiced by male and female dancers all over the world. Sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, The Consulate of India in Hong Kong, co-presented by Asia Society Hong Kong Center and Spic Macay, renowned Bharatanatyam soloist Kavitha Ramu and her group performed a short program of “The Cosmic Dance of Lord Shiva”. The free-entry lunchtime performance opened with a piece in praise of the cosmic dancer Lord Shiva. Then the dancer explored both Nriitta (pure dance) and Abhinaya (facial expressions) in the Varnam (the main piece) named Jadadhara Shankara, a celebration of the virtuosity in the dance of Lord Shiva. The next dance was a solo performance by Kavitha Ramu, a narration of the female Saint Andal’s anguished longing for unison with Lord Vishnu. In this exchange, the love-lorn Andal addresses the holy conch (seashell) that Lord Vishnu carries in his hands and asks of what the lord’s lips taste and smell. The program closed with a group performance of Thillana, a pure dance with emphasis on foot work and movements.