Ardhamandala in Bharatanatyam
Ardhamandala is the fundamental posture of Bharatanatyam. It is also known as Ayatam, Araimandi, Ukkaramandala, or the Half sitting posture. Pure Dance called Nritta involves frequent use of this posture.
In this posture, the performer assumes a half sitting position with the knees turned sideways, and the spine erect. The arms are either extended out or placed firmly on the waist. The dancer is here trying to achieve a series of triangles. The line joining the two shoulders may be conceived as the base of one triangle and the waist as the imaginary apex of an inverted triangle. From this apex a second triangle is conceived with the thighs, as the two sides and the line joining the two knees, as the base of this triangle. The third triangle is formed by the space covered by the two calves and the line joining the two knees. The arms reinforce this by forming other triangles on either side-the extended arm forming one side of the triangle and the line joining the hand to the knee suggesting the second side.
The Natyashastra says that in Ardhamandala, the distance between the head and the navel becomes equal to that between the earth and the navel.
Tags: Araimandi · Ardhamandala · Ayatam · Bharatanatyam · Bharatnatyam · class · Classes · Dance · halfsitting · Learning · lessons · online · Steps · Video
7 responses so far ↓
Fabulous presentation. You deserve a huge round of applause. I wish you could hear that. Fantastic job. Waiting eagerly for Natta Adavu video. Thanks.
hi, i am very happy to find this web site. I try by my self to dance. It make me increase my level. I am impatient to see naat adavus and the oters in video.
When are you going to post them also in the site.
thank you again.
Indynna from France.
Hi Indyana, Good to know this site is helping you and thanks a lot for your kind words. Yes I will be posting Natta Adavu video soon…..so stay tuned
Hi,
Anjali,
My daughter just now started the classes for Bharthanatyam and she is not getting this ardhamandala right.Her body moves forward
and her teacher is making demoralising comments in front of all the children and my daughter comes home and cries.She wants to learn the dance but maybe she is scared of making a mistake and very very conscious and is doing it right.Any ideas and suggestions for my problem.
Thanks,
Bye
Probably dancing in front of the mirror could help. When she looks at herself from the side in aramandi, she can identify her mistake and correct it on her own. The sooner it is corrected, the better .
Before you point this mistake to her, tell her something good about her dancing too. For eg. her rhythm, her hastas, her smile etc.
It might also helpif you tell her that no dancer started without being pulled up by the Guru for better araimandi. In fact if the Guru did not, others might point it out at a later stage and that can be too late.
Please accept Anjali from your virtual student.
My sincere appreciation and awaiting more of your videos.
Thanks Mrudula, for your appreciation. May God Bless you. Good luck.