Varnam
वर्णम्★ EssentialSanskritSay it: var · ṇam
- ṇ — n with the tongue tip curled back
The centrepiece — the longest and most demanding item.
RepertoireBharatanatyam
Meaning
The varnam is the heart of a Bharatanatyam recital, often lasting thirty minutes or more, and it alternates the two halves of the art: intricate jathis of pure dance against sung lines explored through abhinaya, the same line often interpreted several different ways. It demands stamina and interpretive range at once, which is why a dancer's varnam is what a knowledgeable audience waits for.