Session 21-Mardhita Step 7

This is a very common step to most styles of Bharathanatyam practiced today. I like to call this step the spiral staircase, since the hands move around the body like the way the steps do around a central pillar in a spiral staircase.
The Hastas used in this adavu are katakamukham, alapadmam and pathakam at the [...]

Session 19- Mardhita Step 4 and 5

While we have been drawing arcs in space horizontally in the first 3 steps, we draw an arc in the vertical plane in steps 4 and 5. Now let’s watch the animation of step 4…

The foot work for this step is similar to step 2, where the step is executed to the right, left, [...]

Test 1-Checkpoint

Dear students,
It is important we check to see if we have grasped and reatined what has been taught in the previous sessions, before we proceed further. So let’s see.
Here are the questions…

What does Thattikumudu mean? When is it done?
What are steps called in Bharathanatyam jargon?
How many speeds are prescribed for practicing steps ?
What [...]

Session 14- Completing Naatadavu and related terminology

Before we start learning the7th variation in Naatadavu, let’s look at two other feet positions involved. We are going to study 2 terms today. They are :

Agratala Sancharam: This is a term from Natyasashtra that describes, one foot placed normally and the other foot placed on the toes with the [...]

Session 13- Naatadavu Step 6

The 6th variation in Naatadavu is an extension of the previous step.
Let’s now watch the animation…

Looking at the steps in the flow of this step…

Start- Sit in araimandi with hands stretched out inTirupathakam.
Thai-

Feet- Move right feet behind the left to make a swastikam.
Hands- Move right arm upwards to stretch above the head with tirupathakam facing [...]

Session 13- Naatadavu Step 5

Naatadavu Step 5, is a geometrical construction literally. The hand here draws an arc and straight lines. This step lends itself beautifully to group choreographies.
The Foot postions are once again the swasthikam and Naatu.
The Hands are in Tirupathakam.
Lets watch this step in our animation.

Now lets analyze the flow…

Start- Sit in araimandi with hands stretched [...]

Session 12- Practice session

Today is your day to practice a few of the steps you have learned, in 3 speeds, with my audio accompanying you.
Have you done your Salutation? Good! We will work on all the steps starting from Tatdavau 7 - Naatadavu 4. Sit in Aramandi. Good!
Tat adavu 7 - Click on the adavu to [...]

Session 11- Naatadavu Step 4

Have you practiced the 3rd step?
Let’s now move on to the next one. The 4th step is an extension of the 3rd one. At this point, a foot position known as swastikam is introduced.(Ref Fig). In this position one leg is placed on the toes behind the other leg that rests normally. This is a [...]

Check Point / Guidelines for practising Adavus

It may at this juncture be pertinent to try answering the following questions?
From a Student’s point of View :

How am I dancing ?
How does my dance come across/ look to the audience ?
How good are my adavus/nritta?
Are they any rules to be followed while practising the adavus?
Is quanity more important than quality, or in other [...]

Session 4- Araimandi/ Introduction to adavus

Please do the Salutation/pranam. This should be done before and after every class.
Let’s practise all the exercises taught so far once.
Done?
Beginners
Now let’s start with steps- the building blocks of the pure dance /Nritta Bharathanatyam. The Technical Lingo for steps is Adavu in Bharathanatyam jargon.
Adavus are comprised of the sthanakamm, Nritta Hasta and Chari.

[...]