Most sold item from DanceCostumesAndJewelry.com

Our online store has about 400 products and more than 15 categories. We sell almost anything you need for an Indian classical dance performance, may it be Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Odissi or Kathak. We also sell accessories like ankle bells, artificial flowers, hair rings and false hair. Our main product  is the imitation temple jewelry and we sell a lot of temple jewelry sets which can be used for Bharatanatyam dance or kuchipudi dance.

However, the most sold item from our website is the paper jasmine flower. We used to sell this per feet, but recently due to the repeated requests from several of our customers, we started selling in meters. We also reduced the price of this item due to high volumes. Thanks to all our ever supporting customers and please do not forget to write a review in our site after you buy an item.

Here is the picture of the paper jasmine gajra

Here are some pictures of our jewelry. You can see more picture here in this link too.

Different styles of Bharatanatyam dance

Bharatanatyam has its origin in the southern state in India, Tamil Nadu and is dated back into centuries. Over the years, this dance has evolved into variants based on the region, culture and religious beliefs and hence manifests itself into different styles.

Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest known Indian classical dances that have been handed down over the years, along with the tradition. It is a form of dance that integrates three major aspects namely Bhava, Raga and Tala. “Bhava” means expression of emotions, “Raga” means music and “Tala” means rhythm. All three entwined together emerge into the vibrant bharatanatyam dance. Witnessing this classical dance performance with the dancer properly clad in a bharatanatyam costume, jewellery and make up is truly a sight to behold. It is sure to create an impact and remain etched in your memories forever.

Some of the styles that root back into the centuries are:

Thanjavur

Kancheepuram

Melattur

Vazhuvoor

Pandanaloor

Mysore


Each one of these styles has its own special significance and differs from the rest in the way in which the major elements of Bhava, raga and tala are utilized. Bharatnatyam itself is ingrained into the Hindu mythological scriptures and most of the dances try to portray those scriptures by means of the dance. These dances use rhythmic movement of the eyes, head, hands, body and legs along with apt expressions. Certain styles of bharatanatyam may provide more importance to vivid rhythmic movements alone, while some follow a slower depiction with varied facial expressions. Some styles adopt deep-sitting positions while others follow the half-sitting positions.



In the recent years other styles of Bharatanatyam dance such as the Kalakshetra and Balasaraswathi styles have also become prevalent. These are combinations or variations of one or more of the earlier styles of the dance. While the styles of the yester years give more importance for solo dancing, the contemporary styles provide more room for group performances.



Whatever may be the style of dancing; the bharatanatyam costume and jewellery is extremely important and adds great value to the dancer. Modern day trend presents the bharatanatyam dress in two different forms: one is the saree or skirt style with the pleats all ready. This needs to be draped appropriately by the dancer. The other is the pyjama style that can be easily worn by the dancer. Both costumes excel in quality and grandeur. Dancers can choose their costume based on the dance style they patronize and the comfort level that they feel for each of these costume styles.

Tradition and trends in Indian Saree: Part 1

Trends may come and trends may go, but the inclination to drape a Saree goes on forever… this is very much true of women originating from the Indian culture. Ask one what she would prefer to wear for a special occasion and the answer without a moment of hesitation will be “saree”.
There is no dress that complements an Indian woman the way a saree does. Whatever be the style of draping the saree, it simply adorns her like a jewel and makes her the epitome of beauty.

A saree is nothing but a long strip of uncut and unstitched fabric that can be draped around a woman in different styles. It is usually worn along with a short blouse and a skirt-like petticoat. It is also the traditional wear of Indian women and has been in practice for many centuries. There is even a mention of “Darupati’s saree” in the famous Indian epic, the Mahabaratha. This is proof enough that women wore a saree during the ancient times as well.

A saree is classified into different types based on the fabric or material and the decoration or work on the same. Based on the above assumption, sarees can be broadly classified into categories such as:

- Silk saree

- Cotton saree

- Poly cotton saree

- Silk cotton saree

- Synthetic saree

- Georgette saree
The above mentioned classification is just some major categories and not an all-inclusive list. Among silk sarees, Kancheepuram saree and Benaras silk sarees hold a lot of precedence. Bengal cotton, Mangalagiri cotton, etc are a few that are well acclaimed among cotton sarees. Venkatagiri silk cotton, Benarasi silk cotton, etc are a few varieties from the silk cotton line.
These sarees are also available in numerous hues and shades, with a variety of designs or decorations on them as well. Whatever may be the occasion, a wedding, an official meeting, a casual party or get-to-gether, there is saree for every occasion.
Blouse is an important part of the costume. A well designed and stitched blouse serves to complement the saree. Blouses can be sported in different models and can help in making the overall appearance trendy or traditional.

Eating on a banana leaf

The banana leaf holds high prominence in the south Indian culture. A wedding ceremony, an auspicious pooja day, a birthday feast or any occasion that involves a gathering where food will be served, you cannot miss the banana leaves!

Using the banana leaf to serve food is a tradition that has been followed for centuries in South India, that no one really knows how it originated; however, the benefits associated with abiding to this practice are many.

First and foremost, on any special occasion, there are a lot of dishes made to delight your taste buds. Presenting all of them on a banana leaf is truly a feast for the eye and am sure, will completely succeed in kindling your appetite. Moreover, if food is served on a banana leaf, you have no other choice but to eat it with your bare hands, and so it also is a means to enjoy the food via your sense of touch!

It does not end with this… When food is served on a banana leaf, it also adds special flavor and the aroma is enticing. Tell me if there is a better way to relish a feast than by enjoying it through not only the sense of taste, but also other senses such as those of sight, smell and touch? Truly, a feast served on a banana leaf leaves the guests with the utmost satisfaction of having had a complete, sumptuous, wonderful and delicious meal.

Apart from its mouth watering appeal, food served on a banana leaf also has its own health benefits. Have you ever noticed that the color of this leaf changes from dark green to a light green or greenish yellow color after one completes a meal? It is said that this leaf has lot of antioxidants and a huge load of beneficial minerals. When hot food is eaten out of this leaf, some of these minerals also mix with the food and help us in easy digestion of a heavy meal.

Also, it is considered auspicious to serve food on a banana leaf and give it as an offering to the lord on certain holy days and festive occasions when special pooja is conducted with the Hindu pooja items.

Moreover usage of banana leaf for serving food is highly acclaimed for its ease of use and disposal. The leaves are thick, water-proof and long lasting. You can serve all the food in the same leaf instead of different plates and cups. The used leaves also decompose easily or they can even be fed to cattle, so it is completely eco-friendly. Most important it saves us from the hassle of having to wash a whole load of plates and utensils.