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Beginner Level 1: Topics include

1. Namaskaram

2. Warm-Up Exercises (level 1)

3. Introduction to Natyashastra (learning the basics)

• Angashuddham - Refers to purity, clarity, and neatness of adavus and stance.

• Attami - Refers to the neck movements.

• Samam (Samapadam) - Feet together and standing straight.

• Araimandi (Ardhamandala) - Is a basic posture of the body in Bharatnatyam in which the body should be straight, legs bent at the knee, and toes facing sideways.

• Muzhumandi (Mandala) - The torso should be straight while sitting down on the toes of the two feet.

• Sollukattu - Rhythmic syllables

• Nrittahastas - Hand movements executed along with adavus solely for aesthetic beauty of embellishment are called nritta-hastas.

Introduction to Adavus (basics movements and steps)

  • Tatta Adavu – Thaiya – Tai - striking the floor with sole of the feet

  • Natta Adavu – Taiyum Tattat Taiyum Tam - stretching the leg and striking with heels

  • Pakkaadavu (Visharu Adavu) – Ta Tai Tai Ta - importance to Swasthika position

  • Kudditu Mettu (Tai Hath Tai Hi) - jumping on toes and striking the ground with the heels while retaining the toes-contact with the ground

  • Sarikal (Sarukkal) Adavu (Tai Ya Tai Yi)

Introduction to Mudras (basic hand movements)

Asamyuktha Hasta Sloka (Single hand gestures):

Pathaakas, Tripathaako, Ardhapathaakah, Karthareemukhah, Mayooraakhyo, Ardhachandrascha, Araalah, Shukathundakah, Mushtishcha, Sikharaakhyascha, Kapiththah, Katakaamukhah, Soochee, Chandrakalaa, Padmakosha, Sarpashirasthathaa, Mrgashirsha, Simhamukhah, Kangulascha, Alapadmakaha, Chathuro, Bhramarashchaiva, Hamsaasyo, Hamsapakshakaha, Sandamsho, Mukulaschaiva, Thamrachooda, Thrishoolakaha

 

Samyuktha Hasta Sloka (Double hand gestures): 

Anjalishcha, Kapothashcha, Karkatah, Svasthikasthathaa, Dolahasthah, Pushpaputaha, Uthsangah, Shivalingakaha, Katakaavardhanashchaiva, Karthareesvasthikasthathaa, Shakatam, Shanka, Chakrecha, Samputah, Paasha, Keelakau (Keelako), Mathsyah, Koormo, Varaahashcha, Garudo, Naagabandhakaha, Khatvaa, Berundakaakeshcha, Avahithasthathatheivacha

 

**Note: The successful completion of the level would be followed by an Evaluation Test (comprising of a Practical and Oral tests), thereby determining whether the student is capable of moving forward to the next level.

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Beginner Level 2: Topics include

Nadai (the walking posture)

The basic Bharatanatyam walk which involves lifting the feet while slightly lowering the body. The feet are then placed down heel first and the body is raised back up.

Adavus (level 2)

  • Tat Tai Tam ( Sutral Adavu) - combination of Tattu, Nattu, Swasthika and Paichaal (jump).

  • Paichaal Adavu – using leaps and jumps

§ Dhit taiyuam Tat Taa Tai

§ Karthari Adavu

§ Kathi Adavu

  •  Kuthu Adavu (Ettu adavu) – Tat Tai Ta Ha – striking the toes of both feet simultaneously, with a slight jump

Head Movements (Mastaka)

  • Samam - keeping the head motionless and the eyes in a fixed gaze

  • Udvāhitam - head tilted up

  • Adhomukham - downcast or bowing down in greeting

  • Ālolitam - moving the head in a circular motion

  • Dhutam - moving the head from side to side

  • Kampitam - moving the head up and down

  • Parāvrttam - turning the head away in malice

  • Utkṣiptam - turning the head to one side and raise it up

  • Parivāhitam - swaying the head from side to side in a wavelike motion

Eye Movements

  • Samam - eyes are motionless and straight or even 

  • Ālokitam - circular movement of eyes

  • Sāci - looking askance

  • Prālokitam - glancing towards both the sides with wide eyes

  • Nimīlitam - half-closed eyes

  • Ullokitam - eyes raised in upward glance  Anuvrttam - speedily moving the eyes up and down

  • Avalokitam - eyes downcast

Neck Movements (Griba)

  • Sundarī - neck movement horizontally on both sides

  • Tiraścinā - an upward and downward movement of the neck on both sides, suggesting the gliding of the snake

  • Parivartitā - movement from right to left

  • Prakampita - moving the neck forward and backward

Dhyana Shlokam: Angikam Bhuvanam Yasya (Introduction to a Short Dance Piece)

It is traditional to start a dance practice with a dhyaana shlokam. 'DhyAna' is a Sanskrit word that means meditation and 'Shlokam' means a prayer.

This is a popular shloka in praise of Lord Shiva, who is said to be the King of Dance. The dancing form of Lord Shiva is known as 'Nataraja' which comprises of slokas, giving importance to adavus and mudras learned so far.

 

 

**Note: The successful completion of the level would be followed by an Evaluation Test (comprising of a Practical and Theory tests), thereby determining whether the student is capable of moving forward to the next level.

 

Beginner Level 3: Topics include

Advanced Adavus

  • Tai Tai tat Ta - combination of Tattu, Nattu, and resting on toes

  • Sarukkal Adavu - sliding

  • Mandi Adavu - done in Muzhumandi position; Tham Ti tham kitathaka Tai Ta Tai

  • Makuta Adavu (theermana adavu) - usually as an end for the sequence;

§ Tadhing Gina Thome with Ta Hatha Jhaum Tari Ta

§ Kitta Takka Dhari Kirtta Thome

  • Thatti Mettu - strike the ground, raise the heel, and re-strike, resting the toes on the ground; Trishram (Tha Ki Tta), Chatushram (Tha Ka Dhi mi), Khandam, (ThaKa Tha kit a), Mishram (3+4 or 4+3), Sankeernam (4+5 or 5+4)

  • Tadh Dhit Ta - single unit step; generally used as a connecting unit

Reviewing the Previous Adavus

All basic, intermediate, and advanced adavus reviewed earlier in third speed

Alarippu

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**Note: The successful completion of the level would be followed by an Evaluation Test (comprising of a Practical and Theory tests), thereby determining whether the student is capable of moving forward to the next level.

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Intermediate Level 1:

 

Intermediate Level 2:

 

Intermediate Level 3:

 

Advanced Level 1:

 

Advanced Level 2:

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