Which side is sun and moon in Bharatanatyam?
Surya pirai and Chandra pirai, Nitya Sakshis :The ecclesiastical consonance of ethereal kohinoor of Bharatanatyam
In the most ethereal and celestial domain of Bharatanatyam, aharya abhinaya expression through the costume and jewellery, that artistically and aesthetically amalgamates diverse mystic, intrinsic and inexplicable veneers of rapturous and ecstatic experience that magnificently unveils in the form of opulent and conventional finery that poisely conglomerates the spiritual and cosmic balance of the universe. Even the most so called, randomly, bedecked trinkets bear unfathomable nuances of spiritual, mundane and theatrical relevance and significance. In another dimension every wodge of ornament thus bespangled in Bharatanatyam entombs and embodies volumes of interpretations. The most striking and pivotal facet of the Aharya abhinaya of a dancer is orbited around the disc like and crescent fashioned conventional bijou that are surya pirai and chandra pirai which are combinedly termed as thalaichaman. These bijouterie are replenished with layers and nuances of symbolic significance that metaphysically yolks the performer and the omnipotent being. To explore authentic Bharatanatyam saree collections and experience the complete traditional elegance of classical dance attire, visit Zaras Bharatanatyam for more Bharatanatyam saree collections and know more about classical costume heritage.
Pirai in Tamil means arc or demilune. Etymologically the meaning has its moorings and roots in planetary figures and shapes especially the escalating phase of the lunar phenomenon. The phrase chandra pirai also betokens the flow and flourish of human existence and the recurring mysterious reality of time. In the same way, the bijou suriya pirai also has its own deep connotation. The miraculous juxtaposing of the chandra pirai and suriya pirai bears myriads of meaning. The head of the performer which bears these twine bibelots personifies the sky and the emplacement of suriya pirai and chandra pirai on the left and the right side of the head respectively is not random or arbitrary but a willful and highly intentional conglomeration indicating the agamic tradition’s representation of surya and chandra as the Nithya sakshis or perpetual beholders. As per the time revered Hindu tenets these most powerful celestial entities endorse diligently and consciously all the elegant, splendacious and infinitesimal contingencies in the cosmic cycle.
By adorning Surya pirai and chandra pirai the dancer does assure and certify the sacred task of the nitya sakshis by making their head a hallowed dwelling place kindred to the sky. In addition to this, the purposive installation of the surya pirai on the right and Chandra pirai on the left substantiates impeccably the masculine right and feminine left potentiality respectively. This also imbibes and encapsulates the divine and the incontrovertible Ardhanarishwara spiritual reality, the sanctified fusion of Lord Shiva and Parvati limning the unquestioned theory of these twin energies congenially propelling the Cosmos.
In a nutshell, as per Hindu philosophy the human body is deemed as the pindanda of the brahmanda, so when a dancer embellishes herself with Surya pirai and chandra pirai she sacramentally transcreates herself into a substantial manifestation of the cosmos. To complete this sacred transformation with authenticity and elegance, explore traditional Bharatanatyam jewellery collections that preserve the spiritual and aesthetic essence of classical dance.
