Session 46- Panchanadai - Kantam and Sankeernam

Step 4
Kantam : Ta-ka- ta-ki-ta (5 beats) Play audio file
Kantam: Ta- Ka- ta-ki-ta (5 beats)..

Beat/Foot work

Ta

ka

ta

ki

ta

Right Feet

Tap

-

tap

-

 

Left Feet

-

-

Mettu(strike the floor with toes while keeping the heels lifted)

Mettu (Bring the heel down and strike the floor)

 
Step5
Sankeernam: Ta- Ka- Dhi-Mi- Ta-ka-ta- Ki- ta (9beats)(4+5)
Perform step 1(Chatushram) and step 4(kantam) successively.
 Play audio file

Session 45- Chatushran, Tisram and Misram

 It was said in Session 42 that “Thaati-means to tap, metti- means to hit the floor with the heel while being rooted on the toes “. While the right feet  does the tattu and meetu, the left feet just does the mettu.(No Tapping involved here)
Common Features of the Thattumettu Adavu:-
While the Sollukattu for each of the Pancahanadai varies, [...]

Session 44:Exercise- Reciting with Thalam

Below is a video of Adi talam( Chatushra jati Triputa Talam having a total of 8 beats). Now try to use this and recite the natadavu or the mardhita in three speeds. Also try using your own hands to keep the time measure. Once you have understood this, you are ready to embark further on [...]

Session 43- An introduction to Thalam

While we are learning the Panchanadai, it will do good to understand the Thalam in Carnatic Music. Bharathanatyam is traditionally set to Carnatic Music, and an understnading of the system will go a long way in ensuring a wholesome learning of the art form.
Here is an intoduction to Thalam as written by Mannarkoil. J. Balaji [...]

Session 42- Introduction to Panchanadai/ Thattimettadavu

If you did watch the previous video carefully, you would have observed a few variations in beats while performing the nattadavu. This is referred to as a varaiation in nadai.
Nadai (meaning gait) refers to the rhythmic flow of the composition. Carnatic Music upon which Bharathanatyam is based, recognizes 5 basic nadais( Pancha nadais). Hence this [...]

Session 40- Greeva Bedha/neck Movements

Four variations in neck movements are prescribed.
Here is what Mr. Santosh Kumar has to say about Greeva Bhedas
Sundari cha tiraschinaa tathaiva parivarthitha
Prakampitha cha bhavagnair gneyaa greeva chathurvidhaa

Meaning

Sundari - Moving neck from side to side (atami in general terms)
Therashchinaa - Moving [...]

Session 39- Paidhal step 4

Let’s begin with watching this small animation file..

Source: Our video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKKAfjkjtkA
Explanations will follow soon!

Session 38 - Paidhal Step 3

Lets begin with watching this animation…

Now lets look at the movement flow in the step.
Start Position: Stand with feet together with katakamukhams at chest level in the right hand and the katakamukham stretched up above the head and facing upward in the left hand.

Tai: -

Tap right feet behind the left to form a swastikam(crossed) behind [...]

Session 37- Paidhal Step 2

Lets take a look at this animation…

Ref Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOi4K8OG-bk
Start Position: Araimandi with katakamukhams at chest level.
Stage 1:

Tai: -

Leap and land with right feet . Fold your left leg at the knees and keep it raised behind the right leg.
The [...]

Session 36- Paidhal Step 1

This step involves systematic and rhythmic leaps to the sides, front and back.
Lets watch the animation that demonstrates the adavu to the right side.

Start Position: Araimandi with katakamukhams at chest level.
Stage 1:

Tai: -

Leap and land with right feet . Fold your left leg at the knees and keep [...]