Session 5- Tatadavu

The first set of adavus is called Thatadavu– Tapping/Stomping Steps

· Feet Position: Araimandi (Ref. fig)

· Hand Position: Pathakam at the waist or as natyarambham (Ref Fig)

· Sorkattu: Thaiya Thai, varies

Thattadavu involves just tapping of feet in Aramandi/Half sit position to rhythm.

It must be remembered that in Bharathanatyam as in most other Indian classical dances movements are started with the right side first.

Demonstration of Step 1: Each leg taps once alternately (R- Right, L-Left)

	Beat	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Sorkattu Footwork	First Speed (Slow Pace)	Thaiya R	Thai L	Thaiya R	Thai L	Thaiya R	Thai L	Thaiya R	Thai L
Sorkattu Footwork	Second Speed (Medium pace)	Thaiya Thai R L	Thaiya Thai R L	Thaiya Thai R L	Thaiya Thai R L	Thaiya Thai R L	Thaiya Thai R L	Thaiya Thai R L	Thaiya Thai R L
Sorkattu Footwork	Third Speed (Fast pace)	Thai Thai Thai Tha R L R L	Thai Thai Thai Tha R L R L	Thai Thai Thai Tha R L R L	Thai Thai Thai Tha R L R L	Thai Thai Thai Tha R L R L	Thai Thai Thai Tha R L R L	Thai Thai Thai Tha R L R L	Thai Thai Thai Tha R L R L

Similarly all of the following steps are done in 3 speeds

	Beat	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Step 2	Sorkattu Footwork	Thaiya R	Thai R	Thaiya L	Thai L	Thaiya R	Thai R	Thaiya L	Thai L
Step 3	Sorkattu Footwork	Thai R	Thai R	Tha R	(Rest/ Gap)	Thai L	Thai L	Tha L	(Rest/ Gap)
Step 4	Sorkattu Footwork	Thai R	Thai R	Thai R	Tha R	Thai L	Thai L	Thai L	Tha L
Step 5	Sorkattu Footwork Rhythm Guide	Thaiya R 1&	Thaiya R 2&	ThaiThai R R 3, 4	Tha R 5 &	Thai L 1&	Thai L 2&	ThaiThai L L 3,4	ThaiThai L 5&

You may notice that in:-

Step 2: each leg taps twice

Step 3: each leg taps thrice and a gap/rest follows

Step 4: each leg taps 4X with all taps equally distributed rhythmically

Step 5: Each leg taps 5X. But the first two taps alternate with an equal period of gaps and the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th are consecutive followed by a gap. The & signs represent a gap.

Step 1 to step 5 accommodate the one complete rendition on the Right followed by Left within the 8 beat cycles.

You could watch this video to see how the Tatadavu is done. Remember slight variations may be observed. See if you can decipher how the 6th,7th and 8th steps are done.

Video Credits: You Tube

Points to remember:

Remember that the tapping of the foot must neither be too soft or too harsh. Remember to maintain the natural arch of the feet to avoid excessive pain. This technique will also help you dance comfortably for longer periods.

Secondly see that the weight is balanced on both the legs equally even when a foot is lifted during the process of tapping. This will prevent the unaesthetic sway of the waist and hips and give a stability. Posture and dignity in movement is key to Bharathanatyam technique and attempts towards these have to start on day one.

Once you get this worked out, we will work on the other steps that go to complete the Tat adavu. We wil transcribe the 6th, 7th and 8th steps that you watched here in the next session.

Happy feet !