The Basics Of Bharatanatyam (3N)
Today I would like to step a bit back and explore the basics of Bharatanatyam. As you may know, Bharatanatyam is generally referred to have three distinct streams or aspects:
Nritta, Nrittya and Natya
For quick recall, we can refer to them as the 3N s of the dance form. What does each of them represent?
Nritta is pure dance or sequences of dance that are non interpretative in nature. This means that these steps, movements or gestures are not meant to convey any message or thought. They are primarily meant to add beauty to the dance form. Adavus (described earlier) form the basic component of Nritta.
Nrittya on the other hand is an interpretative dance and involves a lot of sentiments, emotions and description. The gestures in this stream convey messages like depicting a king, indicating that it is morning time etc. This consists of leg, hand, neck, head and eye movements to convey the message.
Natya is dance drama and its main technique is Abhinaya. It involves acting out a story for the audience using expressions. Also the actors may dress like the character. Natya is usually performed with a mythologial theme, like on the stories of Ramayana or Krishnaleela, etc. For eg. This would involve enacting parts of Ramayana or Mahabharata.
Related posts:
- Samayukta Hastas or Double Hand Gestures in Bharatanatyam
- Bharatanatyam Mudras (Hand Gestures)
- Ardhamandala in Bharatanatyam
- Visharu Adavu in Bharatanatyam
- History of Bharatanatyam
Tags: Bharatanatyam · Bharatnatyam · class · Dance · Learning · lessons · Natya · Nritta · Nrittya · online
26 responses so far ↓
Namaskar Anjali!
Just wondering if you have plans to include here some notions of Carnactic Music. As a western, it is difficult sometimes to understand notios like tala, raga, as there are same items with different talas/ragas. For example, Tishram Alarippu, Mishram Alarippu, etc and Kalyani Jathiswaram, Saraswati Jathiswaram.
Is there a good book/site to understand Carnactic music, like an idiot’s guide? hehe
So many thanx as usual
Melissa, It will not be right on my part to explain these notion since I am not trained in carnatic music. I am in the process of learning it. I have come across a site that might help every body who are willing to understand these concepts. http://musicinfoguide.blogspot.com/search/label/Talam. I found the explanation very simple and easy for people like us.
Hi Anjali
Am vandana and am in USA at present.,.. Am very much interested in dance and music…. Can u help me out in letting me know abt the online courses on bharathanatyam…. I would like to learn Bharathanatyam thru online…..
Thanks
Vandana
Vandana thanks for visiting. I only know two online Bharatanatyam dance schools ie sridevinrityalaya.org and http://www.kalaikaviri-offcamp.com/ who provide online tuitions. Good luck.
I have really enjoyed this site.
I am learning bharatanatyam and was suggested to visit this site and the information has provided to be very useful.
This site is very methodical and easy to use
I will recommend this site to every person who is looking for information on bharatanatyam
Thank you Tejaswini . I am glad you liked it. I am sure a good word from you will add a great value to this site. I wish you good luck for your lessons ahead.
hi anjali
I loved your website.It was very helpful because I myself am a student learning dance,but could you tell me where do u get the Mudra’s along with their pictures,so that I can know how to do them.
Do u have this bharatnatyam book so that i can learn form the book. as u give every little little thing in website about this dance so i want this book. if u pls help me for that form where i can get ur book and give me all the details.
Kushali, apart from what was given to me by my Guru. I also refer to books like “Abhinaya darpanam- The mirrors of expression” by P.Ramchandrashekhar and Manmohan Ghosh.
hi anjali,
its very happy to watch ur dance in the website.
actually i want to learn the dance.either online or in school,but i dont know little bit of this.iam 26.is it possible to learn in my age.
and what time it takes for stage performance.i hope u will say good news to me.thank u.
Hello Siri, Thank you. You can definitely learn at 26. I have send you a mail regarding the online classes. looking forward to your reply.
HI Anjali,
I am Karthik from India. I am 22 yrs old and Im interested in learning Bharatanatyam. However, due to certain reasons, I was not able to take up classes all these years and I don’t think I can continue for long. I am currently using you videos to learn the basics. Your site is fantastic and your method of teaching is excellent.
Hi Anjali,
This is Shylaja… This website is really informative and User-friendly. I need some help.. Can you show hastas for viniyogams? It will very helpful in teaching for the students.
I am very much interested in dance and music. Can u help me out in letting me know about the online courses on bharathanatyam? I would like to learn Bharathanatyam thru online.
Thanks
Roobini
hi anjali ..!!
i have learnt bharatanatyam, mohiniyattam n kuchhipudi..n done wid my arangetram..ur site is awesome…just wanted 2 kno can i learn bharatanatyam further frm u…i want to start my own academy…so i need training for tht…pls help me out…waiting for ur reply..thanks…
Thank you sajitha. Sure you could. Please fill up the contact froms on the website.
am just going through and the ovearll can be learnabl.just wanted to know whether for howlong a woman can practise bharathanatyam(married woman)
@Sangeetha,Till the time you want to. Its always good to get started.
I found this site very simple to understand and learn. But I’m not sure if I can rely only on online teachings like this, I’m unable to go to any institute or a guru and learn owing to my studies. Is it possible to learn purely online and through books? Please let me know if there are any online teaching sessions or anything that might be useful for me! I’l be very grateful
So Finally i got a guru at my age of 29. Glad to see this website anjali….i dont have word to explain my pleasure..thank GOD
Namaskar Anjali, The news about online class for bharathnatyam is very encouraging as there are no gurus nearby my area in FL.I am looking for my daughter to learn. She is 3 yrs old. Now is it too early for her to start? Will online class work for her?Pls do advise. thank you
hi anjali m peena frm mumbai m happy 2 see ur online teaching bt is it possible 2 learn online dance m 27yrs old wud love nd m deying 2 learn bharatnatyam on any basis r u running any classes in mumbai nd wht r ur terms n conditions nd charges m luking forward fr positive response thnk u!
my 4-year daughter is enthused and ready to learn.she started classes.i need help for practice at home & so i need to see videos,any tips u have 4 small beginners
@Ishita, Let her enjoy dance. Try and make it an enjoyable experience.
Hi Anjali,
This site is very impressive. I am 30 and I am interested to learn Bharatnatyam.Could you please suggest dance schools in New Delhi
Hi Anjali,
I was preparing for my dance exams,
Online bharatanatayam website was very useful as I passed
the exam,
Thanx and bye as well.
Vaishnavi