Natesha or Nataraja Kautukam

March 31st, 2011 by Anjali

I have here worked on the Natesha Kautukam. This was the Kautukam that I learnt probably when I was 8 or 9. The steps are same almost in every style. I like the the Kalakriya series music for this Kautukam. Hence the demonstration is a blend of what I had learnt and Mrs Priyadarshiniji’s choreography.  This Kautukam is in Ragam Varali and Adi Talam.

Please see the lyrics and the meaning below:

Thatavana Muni Jana Sakala Asura-sura
One who is worshipped by the rishis of tadavana(dense forest) and the Demons and Gods alike.

Sannutha Paada Kinkini Jhum Jhum
I bow to him who adorns the anklets that make the sound jham jham.

Jhana Jhana Jhana Jhana Noopura laya gati
His Bells produce the sound jhana while he performs his cosmic dance

Ghana ghana ghana ghana Viti Hari Sevita
Bhrahma and vishnu also worship him.

Thaanda Vidambara
the one who performs the tandava

Vyaghrama Shankara
the one who is worshiped by vyagrahas

(If it was “Vygra charma Dhara“, then it would mean “one who wears the Tiger’s Skin”. This interpretation is also used in some songs. The hastas used would change. Check this link by Durga Swaminathan , between 2.33 to 2.42  to see what I meant.)

Trishula Dhara
One who holds the Trishula

Nandi Vaha,  Nada yoga priya
One who rides the Nandi, and one who loves dance and music.

Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Shashi ravi Bhoshana
Salutations to one who adorns the sun and the moon

Roopa Bhayankara
One who has an awesome personality .

(The word Bhayankara could also mean Fearful. But how can the lord be fearful? May be  his raudra Avatara sounds scary.)

Damaruka hasta
One who holds a Damru (handy percussion drum) in his hands.

Tritiya sahastra Dikshita Natha
One who is lord of Three thousand Dikshitas of Chidambaram

Please add your valuable comments and inputs to make this post a better reference material.

Related posts:

  1. Trishula Hand Gesture (Mudra)
  2. Asamyukta Hasta or Single Hand Gesture
  3. Alarippu
  4. More about Adavus
  5. Abhinaya in Dance

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Leave A Comment

12 responses so far ↓

  • 1 niranjalie Mar 31, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    perfect… love the way hw u hv wriiten it everthingis perfect.. i love kauthuwams

  • 2 sisira chaminda Apr 1, 2011 at 12:17 am

    weldone, my best wishes for this, do more like this we can learn more historical thing, and i also love this kauthvam….. great, god bless

  • 3 Padmini Vasudevan Apr 20, 2011 at 2:15 am

    Love the way you have portrayed the meaning of each and every line. This is really helpful !!!

  • 4 Srujana Seethamraju Apr 26, 2011 at 5:33 am

    Madam,
    I have been your online student for the past one and half year and your classes were of tremendous help. I have enjoyed practicing Natesha Kauthuvam more than any item as of now. It will be helpful though if you can either provide or direct us towards the audio of this piece.

  • 5 shalini May 3, 2011 at 7:13 pm

    I really enjoyed the demonstrations. It has motivated me to start my dance practice after almost 25 years!!! I am in Phoenix AZ. Please let me know when you visit. My email is shalini.ram@gmail.com

    Thanks

    Shalini Acharya Iyer

  • 6 Antje May 12, 2011 at 9:33 am

    I am really enjoying practicing the Kautuvam according to your video, but I noticed that the last line of the song is missing in your written explanation. Can you provide the line and the translation? Thank you and many greetings from Antje

  • 7 pavani May 13, 2011 at 10:08 pm

    I learnt Bharatanatyam when I was young and did not get chance to continue with it because of education. Now, I am in North Carolina and I enjoy each and every demonstrations from you and wanna start dancing asap. Loving Bharatanatyam .. Thanq so Much 4 all the uploads with awsome explainations.

  • 8 Naveen Jul 25, 2011 at 10:59 am

    Actually ,,i dont want say this as as comment,,i would like to ask where Sounds of Bharatanatyam cd/cassete purchased or where could i purchase baratanatyam good quality audio cds,other than,kalakendra.com and kalakriya.com.can you please suggest me….

  • 9 adriana Aug 15, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    I like very much but,I would like to know as it is called the music or the disc. please tutor

  • 10 Geeta Sep 23, 2011 at 2:58 am

    Anjali how can I get the music of Natesha or Nataraja Kautukam, Thanks and love

  • 11 Suzett Nov 10, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    Your dancing is very beautiful. You have a lovely style…

  • 12 Saranya Kesavan Jan 11, 2012 at 9:14 pm

    Awesome expalaination for Nateshar Kavithuvam.
    Thanks!