Karanas in Bharatnatyam

Natyashastra states that Karanas are the unit of dance. Guru Padma Subrahmanyam attempted to reconstructed all the 108 karanas. Karanas are the brief body movements describing leg, body, arm accompanied by hasta mudras. Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam had a thorough research on Karanas and written a book named as - "Karanas-common dance codes of india and Indonesia.". The research mainly based on five temples which are Prambanan, Tanjavur, Kumbokonam, Chidambaram. Karanas are considered as mere poses earlier. In the 20th century she has state that karanas are not only postures but a total series of dance movements.
Devdasis used to perform all 108 Karanas but now a days in most contemporary Bharatnatyam practices small number of karanas. Many of  Padma Subrahmanyam disciples such as Sujata Mohan, Uma Sriram, Janaki Rangrajan, Rashmi Bandopadhay and others are teaching the 108 karanas based on Dr.Padma Subrahmanyam's research.
Natya shastra states karanas are created by Lord Shiva. Those who performs well this Karana dance will go free from all sins to the adobe of this deity. 

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