Resources

Bharatanatyam Related sites

The site from Chidambaram Dance academy has some good content on Adavus, Gestures & Costume. Check them out!

[Adavus]
[Hand Gestures]
[Movements]
[Costumes]

A website founded by Bharatanatyam exponent Anita Ratnam brings the world of Indian dancers under one shelter. [Narthaki- A gateway to the world of dance]

A great innovative way to show Adavu with pencil figures. This site shows Thatta adavu basics for new learners.
[Thatta Adavu Animation]

Great images on various Hand Gestures has been put up for Students on Noopur Dance Academy.

[Hand Gestures at Noopur Dance Academy]

A good listing of all types of gestures in Bharatanatyam.
[All Gestures at Nandanam.com]

A Select List of Books on Bharatanatyam.
[Books on Bharatanatyam]

A great write up on famous classical Indian dancers including Bharatanatyam dancers at lifestyle-india.
[Great Dancers of India]

A good writeup that gives an overview of Bharatanatyam from Rambling with Bellur.
[A for Arangetram, B for Bharatanatyam…]

A site that provides Bharatanatyam lessons in the Vazavoor style by Sangeeta Shyam and Santosh
[Online Bharathanatyam Academy]

Here a very informative article on Bhava and Rasa in dance by Gyanendrabhajpai
[Gyanendrabajpai’s Weblog. ]

Online Carnatic Music lessons imparted by Bhavadhaarini Anantaraman. For more details visit her at bhavadhaarini.com

A descriptive article on bharatanatyam by Annapoorna. Read the Origin and the Aspects of Abhinaya which is explained well.

Indian Heritage a site that provides information on topics related to Indian culture like dance, music, shlokams, Architecture, painting, sculpture, Arts and craft.

Mr GS Rajan have worked on an Exhaustive Online Art Directory called ArtIndia.net in providing relevant information on all kinds of Indian art. This site gives details of the artists, Gurus and their address to contact.

Raaga Rasika is a site which provides series of Podcasts on carnatic music delivered by an eminent vocalist Vidya Subramanian. The site would help the novice and the rasikaas understand the intricate nuances of carnatic music.

Shivakumar Kalyanaraman’s Archives is an excellent resource on carnatic music which has the notation, meanings and lyrics of several kirthis, varnams and geethams.

Carnatic India.com provides resources on carnatic music, online lessons, dance and culture.

Bharatanatyam: Dancing for Gods by Preeti Vasudevan is an interactive multimedia website dedicated to Bharatanatyam.

Other References

Indusladies.com-A global online community for Indian ladies. Indian ladies living around the world come here to discuss various topics, engage in a dialogue, ask questions, get help, share tips and along the way build authentic and enduring friendships.

A Website dedicated to promoting various Art forms. It runs weekly online talent contests for the Desi community. They say “Use DynamycDesi to encourage your kids to develop their talents and get identified as The Talent of the week”.
[DynamicDesi. ]

Garamchai.com aims to provide everything Indians living in the United States may need to maintain their lifestyle outside of India. This site is a complete resource listing of 250 temples,200 restaurants,50 online shops and 300 bazaars. With the large amounts of information, the site is well organized dividing most listings into state categories.

Krishna.com aims at providing info on Bhagavat-Gita, meditation and yoga. The site displays live webcast of krishna temples around the world.

Here is a site called Cyberkerala that helps all the artist to design, develop and launch their own website and get known in the world of artists. They also provide for the maintenance and promotion the site.

54 Comments

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54 responses so far ↓

  • 1 bansuri Sep 4, 2007 at 9:53 pm

    that’s a nice compilation of Bharata Natyam e-resources. Thanks!

  • 2 Anjali Sep 5, 2007 at 7:55 pm

    Hi Bansuri…….nice name. I thank you for the compliment.

  • 3 rk Sep 12, 2007 at 12:52 pm

    very informative posts. lovely blog.
    thanks for linking.
    wish you all success.
    regards
    rk

  • 4 Nina Sep 14, 2007 at 6:32 pm

    There is not bad information about bhedams and hand gestures in pdf-format
    http://web.mit.edu/natya/www/danceStyles/Bhedams.pdf

    And here is a good article about Bharatanatyam and about gesture’s meanings:
    http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Shrine/3155/bnatyam.html

  • 5 Papa Sep 15, 2007 at 6:42 pm

    My best wishes for u, keep it up.

    papa.

  • 6 Anjali Sep 27, 2007 at 7:46 am

    Thanks for your Wishes, Papa.

  • 7 radha Nov 26, 2007 at 5:53 am

    Hi Anjali,

    I am from Auckland and I find this site very useful. really good work. Just one question. my daughter has just started learning bharatanatyam but finds it difficult to keep her back straight. What can she do (other than practice) to get this right?

    cheers

  • 8 Anjali Nov 27, 2007 at 2:38 pm

    Hi Radha, ask your daughter to stand before the mirror and correct herself. You can guide her with the right posture as per the video given. It should be brought to her notice every time she bends forward. Also ask her to do Padmasana daily which involves keeping the back straight. Right practice makes one perfect. Also perfection of postures need atleast a year of practice. Its called the Angashudhi. So donot worry and let her enjoy her lessons. Radha, Thanks a lot for your kind words.

  • 9 jayanthi Nov 30, 2007 at 9:46 pm

    hi anjali,

    I have just started to learn barathanatyam at the age of 37, I find it really interesting and your website really help me to practice better. Thanks and good luck.

  • 10 Anjali Dec 1, 2007 at 5:24 am

    Hi Jayanthi…Its nice to know that you have started learning dance. You are an inspiration to all those who hesitate to start just because of their age. Do share with us your experience while learning so that others are motivated. I would like to add your view in my FAQ page that will be posted soon. And Thanks a lot for your Kind words.

  • 11 deepa Dec 5, 2007 at 11:24 pm

    hi…ur site is fantastic…..i hav learned dance but just for 1 year….after a long gap i wud like to take it up again….can u just list out the order in which we hav to learn…..like how the sequence is….? thankyou once again….

  • 12 sandhya chandran Jan 21, 2008 at 4:17 pm

    anjali this is one of the very good work that u have done
    i wud really appreciate u for this beautiful work

    thankyou
    and best wishes
    sandhya

  • 13 Amit Amembal Jan 31, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    WOW…what an informative site…..Keep it up and God bless!

  • 14 Ajith Kumar Feb 4, 2008 at 12:30 pm

    Hi Anjali,
    Do not know if you remember our recent chat about my daughter Anusha (Bangalore). I would like to share with you that my daughter came first with 83 marks in her Bharatanatyam examination. Thank you for your wishes to her.
    Best regards,
    Ajith Kumar

  • 15 Raymol Feb 7, 2008 at 4:37 pm

    Hi Anjali,

    Came to know about your site thru Orkut. It is so helpful for a Bharatanatyam learner!I started learning Bharatanatyam in my 30s. Your movements are very graceful. My Guru is from Srilanka and we are settled in UK. I find lots of differences in adavus like my guru taught only 8 natta adavus. I am wondering why there are lots of variations.
    Your Natta adavu videos are really great. Could you please add other adavus videos as well like Thai ha thaihi etc.
    My daughter is planning to take her grade 1 exam in UK. Her guru is also from Srilanka and both our Gurus taught in the same way. We have a new guru now who wa trained in Chennai and her style is different in all the adavus. So I am wondering if the number of steps in the adavus are different in various places, how it will affect my daughter when she takes her exams.
    What is authentic in the number of steps in various adavus.
    Looking forward to hear from you.
    Thanks,
    Raymol

  • 16 Anjali Feb 13, 2008 at 5:46 pm

    Hi Raymol, thanks for the appreciation. You are an inspiration to all those who hesitate to start late. All the best. Also being in UK your interest to learn this art is so strong. Hats off to your efforts. I also wish your daughter lots of luck for her life ahead. We had such a discussion earlier. Read the comments of this link. http://onlinebharatanatyam.com/2007/08/22/tatta-adavu-sixth-step/link.
    I repeat…. donot worry about differences. Follow the guru. Such references should be an added learning to you. At a higher level such differences are negligible.

  • 17 surya Feb 21, 2008 at 8:25 am

    A excellent and very informative website good work congrats and thank you

  • 18 Anjali Feb 21, 2008 at 5:33 pm

    Namaskar Suryaji, its an honor to receive such an encouraging word from a versatile dancer like you. Thanks a lot for visiting and do add in your valuable suggestions on improvement.

  • 19 Pooja Feb 23, 2008 at 6:28 am

    Anjali,

    I love your site. It seems to be very helpful for learning the basics. I am 19 years old and want to learn Bharatanatyam very much. I learned for about 6 months when I was 15 but was not dedicated enough and stopped. But now I want to learn and wanted to know if you have any advice on learning at this age. How fast do you think I can progress assuming I am a fast learner? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and keep up the ogod work on your website.

    Pooja

  • 20 Anjali Feb 23, 2008 at 7:15 am

    Hi Pooja, thanks for visiting and for your kind words. Coming to your question, see it should not take more than 3-4 years to learn this art assuming that you are a fast learner. For this it is advisable to join schools like Kalakshetra, Kalamandalam or Nalanda who can offer 3yrs Diploma. I donot know about the private schools do inquire about them.

  • 21 Subs Mar 1, 2008 at 10:28 pm

    Hi Anjali,

    Good site. Quite informative. Apart from asamyuta and samyuta hastas, do you also have Vinayoga slokas’ mudras on your video? Am keen on going through that also. Thanks and Regards

  • 22 Jigisha Mar 18, 2008 at 3:11 pm

    Hi Anjali,
    Excellent site, excellent lessons for parents, my daughter is learning bharatnatyam, she practices at home but now i can rectify her mistakes. what is next adavus ?? Thanks

  • 23 Anjali Mar 18, 2008 at 5:22 pm

    Thanks a lot Jigisha. I wish good luck to your daughter. May she excel in every aspect of her life. The next adavu will be Tatti Metti Adavu .

  • 24 Rituparna Apr 21, 2008 at 7:41 pm

    i love bharatnatyam. but i never goat any oppurtunity to learn. am doing a litereture (theoritical) project on it for my college. can you please furnish me with some good information.Thanking u in anticipation……
    would love to be your friend!!!!!!!!! friends????????

  • 25 saachi Apr 30, 2008 at 11:11 pm

    Anjali,

    Your website is really good. I want to commend you on the work that you are doing.
    I wanted to know, can you send me some links or names of DVD’s, VCD’s of the tanjore style of bharatanatyam.

  • 26 vidya May 8, 2008 at 6:49 pm

    Hi anjali,

    I am from Pune…I am 34..haven’t found a teacher in Pune..I and my daughters would like to learnIf u have any information on the teachers in Pune please would u give it to me…

    I have learnt dance almost 11 years but ne’er appeared for any exam…I would like to continue….

  • 27 Prerana May 8, 2008 at 11:55 pm

    Hey Anjali
    I just read Vidya’s ? & she is from my hometown so couldnt stop my self from sharing my Guru’s contact no with her if you dont mind
    She is toooooooooooo good her name is Mrs Shumita Mahajan- cell no 9890139990
    She is no 1 in Pune , very tallented & graceful dancer of Kalakshetra gharana.

    Good luck with your search & h ope you will get success.

    Thanks Anjali

  • 28 Radha May 11, 2008 at 10:52 pm

    Hi Anjali,
    Your site is really awesome. I had learnt bharatanatyam for three years and then stopped. I would like to continue. Can you please suggest me some good institutes in Bangalore. And also since I am working, i would be able to attend classes only during week ends. Can you please tell me any institute which teaches during week ends and also for people like me who had learnt for some years and then stopped.

    Good luck for you efforts in creating this informative website.

  • 29 indu Oct 22, 2008 at 12:10 am

    hi anjali,
    I am from anantapur… i am 24.. i want 2 learn bharatanatyam from my child hood but i didnt get any oppurtunity till now.. can u give information about the schools and couses in Andhra pradesh

  • 30 GS RAJAN Nov 7, 2008 at 9:59 am

    There is this directory of Bharata Natyam dancers, gurus and institutions available at http://www.artindia.net Perhaps you could place a link to ART INDIA from your blog

  • 31 Anjali Nov 7, 2008 at 12:37 pm

    Hello Mr Rajan, Thank you for visiting the site. I have your website already in my resources.

  • 32 Michelle Nov 11, 2008 at 10:50 am

    Dear,
    great site, great dance and great resources. Thank you.
    I hope I will be able to learn a bit of this wonderful dance.
    Greetings

  • 33 Anjali Nov 12, 2008 at 9:19 am

    Michelle, Thanks a lot. And wish you good luck.

  • 34 Deepesh Dec 2, 2008 at 2:06 pm

    Excellent work mam,keep it up.This will surely be a great help for Bharatanatyam students ,like me :) Thanks!!!!

  • 35 Vaishnavi Jan 1, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    Hi Anjali,
    I am having trouble with the atamis. I cannot get to do them as gracefully as some of the dancers do - on youtube videos. Any hints on how to master this? Thanks

  • 36 Anjali Jan 1, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    Hey Vaishnavi, Attamis happen when you dance effortlessly. They are not taught but discoverd when you mature as a dancer.

  • 37 raja thill Feb 6, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Is it true that baratha natyan originated in East India?.

  • 38 Sangeetha Feb 7, 2009 at 11:15 pm

    hi Anjali

    The way you teach the steps are very good. I could learn easily. Can you please let me know, Is there any adavu called “Periya Adavu”?

  • 39 Anjali Feb 11, 2009 at 10:55 am

    Yes there is Periya adavu. Periya literally means Big, so these steps are used to cover greater distance on the stage. These steps are very similar to the Natta adavu eleventh variation.

  • 40 Balaji Mar 1, 2009 at 9:06 am

    Hi Anjali,

    Your work in this website is simply amazing. Learned a lot from your website.

    Quick question for you:
    What is the difference between Makuda Adavu and Teermana Adavu? I thought Makuda Adavu is used to conclude or finish a performance. Teermana word sound the same meaning.

    Thanks

  • 41 Anjali Mar 1, 2009 at 11:45 am

    Hey Balaji, Thank you. According to my understanding Makuda and Teermanam are the same. But if there are any subtle differences, I am unaware.

  • 42 preet Mar 13, 2009 at 9:32 am

    hi Anjali..I am keen interested to learn bharatnatyam…but couldnt find any guru based in Manchester, UK. Can you please suggest something to me…If theres any other option i can learn bharatnatyam.

  • 43 Anjali Mar 14, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    Hi Preet refer narthaki.com or artindia.net for address of teachers. Meanwhile I have also mailed you with the details of my online classes. Thanks

  • 44 darshini Apr 22, 2009 at 3:13 am

    hi anjali!!! u did a great job. i find this sie very helpful. i have one question.
    i am 21 yrs old and i am chubby too. can i start to learn bharatanatyam at this time? will i get the flexiblity in my body. basically i am a medium level dancer.

  • 45 Sangeetha May 7, 2009 at 11:28 pm

    Please can you guide me where to find the bharatanatyam song with lyric written. Eg - Alaripu, Pushpanjali etc….

  • 46 Esha Jun 5, 2009 at 4:21 am

    please could you email this time.By the way what hand movements are used in the paka adavu in grade 3. Need to know before the 10 th June 2009
    Thanks xx
    p.s keep up the good work

  • 47 swapna Jun 7, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    hi im 29 years old…can i learn bharata natyam now…or is thr any age limit for it…plz reply…

  • 48 katayaini Jul 3, 2009 at 2:06 am

    hi swapna there isnt any age limit u can learn it any time

  • 49 katayaini Jul 3, 2009 at 2:08 am

    why do u all say its a very good site i say its a good site thats all.it does not even tell about kalakshetra style.its a normal site.

  • 50 kala ramarathnam Aug 11, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    very informative, website, alot of efforts put in, your reference sites are very useful, thanks for dedicating your time ,God bless you.

  • 51 Shruti Aug 24, 2009 at 4:33 pm

    Very informative website. Could you please explain what is Vrutam in Bharatanatyam?

    Thanks
    -Shruti

  • 52 shefali Jan 2, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    hii anjali!!
    i have done a little bharatanatyam but because of my dad’s transfer in Hong Kong, i cpuld not continue which was my dad’s dream.
    I am glad that i found this website and learn bharatanatyam.
    I also wanted to know how can i contact you
    please reply.
    thank you!!! wish yuo success!!!
    :))

  • 53 praveen Jan 24, 2010 at 1:48 am

    Hi Anjali, your site’s a great resource for people like me .. first timers, not know much, want to know.. great introduction.. got to know much about the dance form.. thanks, keep up the good work.

  • 54 aravindh Jan 26, 2010 at 6:48 am

    palli hand gesture is not opening…………………