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 34- Shiro Bhedas or Head Movements

Bhedha as most Indonesian and Malaysian students will understand, is a term that denotes a change/difference (from the previous state).This Sanskrit word is very commonly used word in these two languages. Bhedhas in dance terminology means a variety of movements prescribed for a particular anga/pratyanga.
In this session Mr. Santosh will elucidate the Shiro [...]

Test 2- Checkpoint

We have now completed four sets of adavus and Asamyutha and Samyutha Hastas.
Lets see how much we remember from what we have learnt…
Think and answer these questions carefully

What are two handed gestures called?
Katakamukham is an Asamyutha Hasta… True or False
Paraval adavu is another name for ……………………
Naatadavu gives importance to the ____________ position of the feet.
Kudhitametti [...]

Session 30- Samyutha Hastas verses from Abhinaya Darpana

Today we will be learning the Samyutha Hasta verses from Mr. Santosh Kumar.

Here is the verse…

Anjalishcha kapothashcha karkata svasthikasthathaa
dolahasthah pushpaputaha uthsangah shivalingakaha
katakaavardhanashchaiva karthareesvasthikasthathaa
shakatam Shanka Chakrecha samputah paasha keelakau(keelako)
mathsyah koormo varaahashcha garudo naagabandhakaha
khatvaa berundakaakeshcha avahithasthathatheivacha
Note:
There can be slightly different readings of the above verse. For eg.
The last line may be taught as “khatvaa berundakaakeshcha ithyethe [...]

Session 24- Asamyutha Hastas, verse from Abhinaya Darpana

We have learnt (learned) the names and meanings of Asamyutha hatsa in our previous sessions (sessions 8 and 15). Today we will have a theory session with Mr. Santosh Kumar(Please see our about page to know more about him)
Mr.Santosh will be now review the verse on Asamyutha Hasta from the Abinayadarpana. Please [...]

The dancing Nataraja and Shivarathri

Shivarathri or ‘Shiva’s Great Night’ is a celebration that has special significance to dancers and students of dance. Mahashivaratri, is an auspicious Hindu festival that is celebrated on a moonless night in the Hindu month of Phalguna that corresponds to February - March in English Calendar.
According to the Ramakrishna Mutt, the Puranas contain many [...]

Session 18- Samyutha Hastas

Before we proceed to step 4 of mardhita, let’s look at the Samyutha or Sankyutha (Sanskrit, meaning together/combined) Hastas. These are the two handed gestures and are 24 in number. Here is a chart for the Samyuhta Hasta, please click on it to enlarge…

There are only 23 in this chart. Avahita, the last of the [...]