About Me
Namskar !
My name is Anjali Nandan and ‘am currently in Little Rock, USA. I have learnt and studied Bharatanatyam for close to 10 years. The learning has mostly been in Mumbai from late Srimathi Madhuri Kelkar. I am a “Nritya Visharad” in Bharatnatyam from Bharatiya Sangeet Samiti.
I have got the good fortune to work along with Hemamalini as part of various dance Ballets. It was a Divine experience working in her productions like “Mahalakshmi”, “Savitri” and “Geet-Govind”. She is a graceful and disciplined exponent of Bharatanatyam.
I am not any expert in the field having seen many greats in this art form. This Blog is a humble attempt to provide some information on the dance form as I have learnt it.
Thanks for your help and encouragement along the way!
302 responses so far ↓
I liked the basic info you provided. My daughter has just started learning this dance. It is helpful to have an explanation of the various steps and gestures.
Thanks, Nighat Kokan
Thanks Nighat. It is encouraging to know that you like the information. I shall try and post what your daughter would like to understand better. Please suggest the steps and gestures that you would be interested in.
Hi Anjali,
Thanks, really information you gave is very helpful.
I’am 30 yrs old.now started leanrning Bharatnataym.Since childhood very interested but could not get oppurtunity to learn.Now I got good guru.
I want to know whether age matters in learning dance?
Sometimes i’am getting stuck in 3 beat(fast pace)
Do you suggest anything for improving the speed.
With Regards.
N.Nitu
Hi Nithya
Its great to know that you have decided to explore your childhood passion now. Nithya age is absolutely not a factor while learning. What matters is your intensity of focus and attitude towards learning. Our body is like any other machine, if not used will either stop working or would show up some problems. Since you have already started your class, any such problems would just disappear with further practice. Dance would be a great exercise for you.
Unlike the slow and the medium pace, the fast pace (Vilambha, Madhyama and Dhruta as it is called) needs a lost of concentration. When your guru is reciting the sollukattu, you recite them in a numerical form mentally (like 12,123) or just repeat the sollukattu with him. This will help you to focus on your Tala. And perfection is gained through right practice.
Just free your mind from all apprehensions and enjoy your lessons.
Best of luck….
Anjali
Hi Anjali,
Really appreciate for your quick response.
Do you recommend any CD’s for beginners.
With Regards,
N.Nithya
hai anjali,
i really liked your webpage and the important matters that you have shown
i have completed arangetam in bharatnatyam and i want to continue the dance or what to step to another classic dance
what would you prefer that i should do
thankyou,
sandhya
Hi sandhya, great to know that you have completed your Arangetam. Do not stop here. Continue your quest for more. Since you have a fair idea of Bharatanatyam you can start your experiments on the same. Go and get some beautiful compositions and songs, try and give your own steps to them. It is a great way to revise. Learning a new dance will widen your outlook as a dancer. If given a choice I would love learning a new Classical Dance.
thankyou very much for your reply anjali and if possible put some videos in the website so that we can get the very good ideas of dance and also of which songs to select and how to compose steps on it
Anjali Nandan
Thanks for putting this art on the web,i really appreciate may be can put some stuff on tabla too.
Thanks again will all the respects.
Mohammad Nawaz
From Mauritius
Hi Anjali,
really nice site and its superb you put up some videos too. I like the explanations very much you gave for Namaskar. I started learning Bharatanatyam recently. How many basic adavus do exist? Could you please name the adavus? The ones I learnt so far are the following: 1.Tattadavu (8 steps), 2.Nattadavu(8), 3.That thei thei tha(4), 4.They ya they yi (4), 5. They hath they hi (4), 6.That they tham (6), 7. That they taha (4), 8. Sarikul adavu (1). Is it correct so far? Would like to learn the proper name of the adavus and a basic overview, what still is more to come. My teacher said we would roughly learn about 60 steps…
Thanks a lot and keep up the good work!!!
Sonia
Hi Sonia……Thanks for your motivating words. I have mentioned the names of Adavus in my previous post “More about Adavus” check this link http://onlinebharatanatyam.com/2007/07/21/more-about-adavus/
The names of Adavu and the number of steps vary from school to school. I shall try naming the adavus as per the sollukettu given by you …3.Tha thei thei tha - Visharu Adavu, 5.They hath they hi- kudittamitta, 6.That they tham- Muruka Adavu, 7. That they taha- tattimitti Adavu, ……… Do not get confused , I am of the view that learning steps are more important than its name……….enjoy your lessons ………keep writing
Hi Anjali
Thanks a lot for your quick response and infos. Looking fwd for new posts n videos
Hi Anjali,
Your blog is superb, I have just started learning bharatam Thanjavur styles, so your video is very usefull for me. Can you say which style is yours. Thanks. Can you Please put a video of naat adavu too. Thanks.
Félicitations
Hi Chony,
Thanks for your kind words. Yes, Natta Adavu video is in process. So stay tuned….
I follow the Pandanallur style which is derived out of the Tanjore Tradition.
hi anjali….
hw r u..
am manu fom US .. i seen ur profile.. and about ur dance too.. so nice to see pictures and knowing me some thing about dance.. am a music lover… i done three music album in malayalam… music is my passion… die for music.. that me..
keep in touch
take care..
god bless you for your nice future…
by manu
Hi Anjali.
Happy Dussehra. Celebrating the spirit of triumph. May the spirit of goodness keep shining on you. Wishing you happiness, prosperity and good tidings. Have a joyous and bright celebration. My daughter Aarya, 4 yrs is learning dance and your site is very helpful for us. Aarya touched your feet (the pic frm the site) this morning to seek blessings from guru Anjali. We check in each day and waiting for the video on Natta adavu.
Warm Regards.
Meghna G
Hi Meghana….Thanks a lot for the wishes and may all good luck and prosperity be bestowed to your family. I wish all the success to Aarya in all facets of life. Sorry for the delay in the Natta Adavu video….It will be done soon
Hi Manoj …good to know about you passion for music ….wish you all the best and thanks a lot for visiting this site.
I love bharatanatyam. i´m from argentina
http://www.georginad.com.ar
hi anjali ,thanks a ton ..i am so glad that u had the idea of teaching online bharatanatyam.i learned bharatanatyam when i was 5 ,..i did for for 3 years n my teacher got transfred to some other state ..and also my studies were getting affected .so stopped . now i am 24 n married but still in my heart i ve the interested to learn again ..i dont knw whther there is any age bar..but seeing your video i ve started doing it .i am so happpyyyyyy anjali . rite now i m in Germany n the dance class i quite far . can u add few more videos .
ive a question …can we pratice during periods(during the bad days of teh month)
.IS their any strict rules .can u plz tell me .
wish u all the best .
priyanka prashanth
Hi Priyanka, Thanks a lot for encouraging words. Yes i shall keep adding videos from time to time. So stay tuned. Yes one can surly practice during periods, if you physically feel healthy. There are no rules as such. So enjoy your lessons and donot hesitate to write in your queries.
hi Anjali! How are you…
I just wanted to say that i take a high interest in classical indian dancing. Right from childhood, i would watch hema malini’s long stage shows on tv and learn the steps. In fact, i had gotten quite good, but had to stop as my extended family disapproved. But, its been awhile since ive started back on dancing but its much more contemporary dancing. And, i really miss being able to learn classical…when i was younger i was in a country where i could learn it…but, now im in a town that has no facilities. And, i realllyyyyyyyy wish you the best of luck with keeping this website going…because, i know i surely will need it. With the passion that i had and have for it…i really hope that you will be my way to learning the basics at least. Please do not stop posting your videos as i am more of a visual learner. Thanks soo much…and, if u have any idea about other people online that do the same thing as you please do let me know. :]
Sobia
Hi Sobia …I am doing Great. I really understand your feelings and passion for Dancing. Hats off to the efforts taken by you in leaning dance. I wish all the best for you dancing career. I will keep adding more thanks to encouragement from you all Thanks a bunch.
.
Infact I love contemporary style of dance. It has a beauty of its own. I have seen some performances which concentrates on athletic movements, lot of Kalari steps(A martial art from Kerala, India), some added Yogic postures. It was interesting to watch. Where do you learn this from….keep going…and have fun. Do think of sharing this contemporary style with us.
Hi,
Anjali ,
I posted a question ,its rather a problem my daughter is facing with the ardhamandala position.
She is bending her body front when she is trying to get it right .She is 9 years old and just started learning.She is coming home crying as the Teacher admonishes her saying “She has never seen anybody finding the ardhamandala step difficult and it is the easiestone”.In front of the whole class and she comes home and cries. It will be nice if you can suggest a remedy as you are already doing a wonderful job by giving so much
information and lessons about Bharathnatya.
Hi Vidya, I would say ardhamandala is a difficult position for starters. Needs a lot of practice. Make her practice this position daily. Ask her to do a set of fifty counts thrice. since you have seen the video correct her every time she is wrong. Its is a commonly seen mistake . Do not worry. I remember my days of learning since i was constantly bombard by my guru. I was so scared of her that i would make all sorts of excuses for not going. But now I have no regrets. Her guru must be a perfectionist. Keep motivating her and donot stop her training. I would request parents to keep encouraging. She will be fine soon. Thanks.
Thanks Anjali .
I made my daughter read your message to make her understand
that she can get it right . I was really getting worried thinking she
might have a crooked back or some sort of a problem.
Regards,
Dear Anjali,
Love your work. I don’t know if it was just by coincidence that we came upon each others websites.( I try to manage Chidambaram Arts) I would love to link your video in my section on adavus. Though I don’t teach exactly the same style, it can be a great aid to students. With you working on the practical side, it gives me all the more time to work on the theoretical side.
Would love your input.
regards,
sangeetha
Hello,
How I can obtain music for adavus?
Thakns
Dear Anjali,
I am a 26 year old researcher very interested in learning Bharatnatyam,but due to my work schedule i can’t provide much time to it and moreover i dont know of any school around my place in Noida.Can you refer me to a good guru.I wanted to learn Bharatnatyam since i was a child but coud n’t do it.I want to seriously pursue the dance form.Kindly suggest some good school and guru around Noida,UP.
Kind Regards
Namrita
Hi Namrita, I have come across this link do go through it might help you.
http://www.webindia123.com/career/fine_arts/details.asp?uname=+Kinkini+Dhvani+Institution+of+Performing+arts%2C+Noida
Hi Anjali,
A very commendable effort!!! I am so excited to see this.
I learned Bharatnatyam in my chilhood.I love to dance.I was searching for good teachers here in Pune.DO you know someone?I am looking in the areas near Pimple Saudagar and Aundh.
Thanks.
Hi Divya , Thanks a lot for the compliment. I shall get back to you with some info. stay tuned.
Hi Anjali!!!
I really appreciate your website (as i have already mentioned in the hasta section).
I would just like to know which style of Bharatanatyam you have learnt. It is just a curiosity.
For Divya Menon -
Here is some info for you:
1. my guru Mrs. Gauri Desai, who teaches at Pashan (Ph: 25890114)
2. my earlier guru Mrs. Manik Ambike, who teaches near Sahakarnagar
3. Mr. Parimal Phadke, probably around Deccan or Senapati Bapat Rd - whose group some of my friends have performed in
4. Dr. Sucheta Chapekar Bhide - A renowned guru in Pune
5. Mrs. Uma Tilak, who teaches at Aundh
For the ones I have not listed phone numbers for, you might find them online (do a google search).
Hi Anjali,
Vey nice posts, rather i should say informative, I have a doubt, what is the difference between a thodayam and a varnam, similarly between padam and shabdam, can you please explain it to me, can you tell me the exact defenition of padam and shabdam.
Hope to see your reply soon
thanks
aiswarya
Hi Anjali,
I took my three year old daughter to observe a dance class today as she wanted to learn dance. Seeing the aramandala position, kind of thought it may be too early for her to bend her legs like that. What do you think?
It was so nice of you to post the videos and it is a pleasure watch you demonstrate the steps. Can you please post an mp3 of the beats so that we can play the beats.
while kids practise. I think as a beginner that understanding of thala and the gaps in between is really important.
I’m really pleased by your ability to explain this art form so that I could understand without much effort and your videos are extremely useful.
Thank you so much. Btw, my daughter’s name is also Anjali
Keep up the good work!
Deepa
Hi Anjali,
I really appreciate that you’ve made this website available for everyone. When I watch your videos I think of generosity and the joy of sharing dance.
With thanks and respect,
Dori
respected divine artist…..
Thank you for giving basic introduction about this divine art.I was searching for information on mudras and their meaning to paint lord shiva.( painting is my hobby).
All the components of our culture have roots in Vedas.In this fast changing world we are loosing sight of our great traditions.All that is old is not alway bad or out dated.At this moment we need artists like you to speak out and inspire the youngsters to keep the best of this vedic land alive.
I feel those silent narthakis on the walls of the great ancient temples of this country will speak eloquently to any one who goes through your series web pages.I heard that natya shastra is one of the disciplines of Indian wisdom and philosophy which simplifies and makes every one (learned & common people) understand the concept of dharma artha kama moksha.
Add more illustrations photographs,miniature paintings,wall paintings,sculptures from temples , samskrit texts ,to the web site so that this web site develops in to a virtual academy.
Thank you for making the this information available.
wishing you long life , very best of every thing in life
Dr.Rammohan.S
hii
Iam a research scholar from IISc bangalore. Now iam doiong a work in which we are inspiring something from bharatanatyam mudras to describe the various grasps in robotics literature. we are using 28 single handed mudras for this purpose. i have come across a website in which there was urnanbha as one of the mudra. but when i checked other websites they were not mentioning about this mudra. Can u tell me why urnanbha is not popularly mentioned..
Hi Vipin, nice to know about your research topic. Sounds very interesting. We call Urnanbha mudra as Vyagraha. Vyagraha denotes a Tiger. This is one of the new mudras added to the list. Palli, Kataka and Ardhasuchi are the other new mudras i know. Natyashastra has mentioned only about the basic 28 mudras, therefore the new ones are not given equal importance.
thanks anjali for ur information. You solved the confusion which haunted me for weeks.
thanks once again
bye
vipin
Hi Anjali
Thanks for you comment on my blog http://lifestyle-india.blogspot.com
I have changed the name and posted again today. But I have deleted the old post because the old url have the text mrinalini.
Now the new url is:
http://lifestyle-india.blogspot.com/2007/12/mallika-sarabhai-great-dancer-of-india.html
I have added your blog link in my indian bloggers page in the dancers category
http://lifestyle-india.blogspot.com/search/label/Indian%20Bloggers
and also I like to write something about your blog in my next post.
I have posted one article about your site with a title of “Online Bharatanatyam is helpful site for dance students”
the url: http://lifestyle-india.blogspot.com/2008/01/online-bharatanatyam-is-helpful-site.html
Hi Ajali
My daughter is getting training in Bharathanaatyam(Kalakshetra style), She had participated in some competitions recently, The most remarks we recieved from the judges were that she is having body shake and the gap between her feet increases while doing fast swaras, It would be greatful if you could give me some tips to reduce body shake and to attain a better control on feet movements.
To be frank, Anjali you are doing a great job, hats off to all your efforts put in to this site.
thanks
aiswarya
Dear Anjali,
I really appreciate the effort taken by you in keeping this blog so well documented.I was amazed to see the details in all the posts.Also the videos of adavus are just like a guru teaching you.
It would be bad on my part if I didn’t leave a comment here.Your blog is like a prayer answered to me.I am a beginner and had my initial training in Bharatanatyam in Chennai,but now I stay in Switzerland.I am not able to find a guru here and so your blog is a very useful resource to me so that I don’t forget whatever I have learned.It is unfortunate that I have come here so late
You are doing a great job indeed!!May God bless you.
Here’s wishing you all the very best and looking forward to more of Bharatanatyam.
Best Regards,
Shalini
Oh Shalini, thanks a lot for this heartfelt appreciation. God Bless you too friend. May you find a Great Guru soon so that you continue your lessons. I’ll try my best to keep you updated. Thanks once again.
Dear Anjali,
Your efforts are superb. I am a beginner and I learnt basic Bharatanatyam in Chennai before coming to UK. I have been surfing the net for a long time to keep in touch with all I have learnt and I hit the jackpot with your website.
All the material, videos and resources are very well presented and very helpful.
Thanks a lot for your efforts,
Wishes and regards,
Sree
Hi Anjali,
I have been searching for mudras of Samyukta & Asamyukta Hastangal on the net. I need them to teach my daughter (Anusha), who is 7 years and learning dance (2 and half years) from Kalamandalam Sreejaya in Bangalore. She has got her exam on 26th January 2007. Though she knows all the mudras, I thought it will help if I can show some pictures of all those mudras. If nothing is available on the web (pics) can you suggest some books on these mudras that I can buy in book stores).
Your help will be highly appreciated.
Best regards,
Ajith Kumar
Hey Sree, Thanks a bunch for your compliments. Its nice to know about your earnest desire to learn this Art. I wish u best of lucks ahead. I will try my best to keep the information flowing. Your feedback will keep giving me direction and do better. Thanks again. God bless you.
Hello Ajith, I thank you for visiting this site. Nice to know about your little dancer at home. May Anusha excel in all aspects of her life and I am sure you will always be proud of her. I wish lots of luck for her exams on 26th. To see pics on Mudras go to my Resources I have linked to sites that show all the mudras. Also I have given meanings and photos of some Asamayukta hastas in this site (check the Index page). A book called “Dance Gestures-Mirrors of Expression” by P.Ramachadrasekhar will be a great reference for her ahead. It is a translation of the sanskrit text Abhinayadarpanam. Visit http://www.giritrading.com, guess you can buy it online. Else there is Abhinayadarpanam by Manmohan Ghosh which is a hallmark Text.
Thank you Anjali for your best wishes. Your response has been of immense help. Thank you once again.
Best Regards,
Ajith Kumar
Hi Anjali,
I am really a bit dissappointed i have asked something on Jan 6th and until now you didnt answer me, I know it is not easy for you to answer each and every silly posts like mine, but for me your answers to my querries are of great importance. hope you will answer me.
My question was
My daughter is being trained bharathanatyam and had participated in some competitions recently, the most comments from the judges were about body shake and the gap between the feet which increases while doing fast swaras and jatis.
can you please suggest something to reduce these. Do you think that she will improve if she does more practice, she is now 10years old.
Hope you will reply this time
We are really greatful to you for your sincere efforts and dedication to familarize bharathanatyam.
Its now my daily routine to visit this site and look for new posts
thanks a lot for all these great help you are rendering to us,
Aiswarya
Hi Anjali, you are doing a great job. Thankyou very much. I am kavya from Germany, I wanted to learn Bharatanatyam right from my childhood, thanks to you that my dream is coming true. The way of teaching is very clear. I have learnt all the steps until now.
Keep uploading. Thanks.
Hi Anjali,
I really appreciate and thank you for your efforts in sharing info about the basics of Bharatanatyam. I am glad to know that there are many people out there who wish to do stuff that are of use to others. Believe me, sharing knowledge can be so difficult, because it is that knowledge that puts us on a higher ground and to be able to share that and let others step up is a huge thing, really.
I started learning Bharatanatyam in the last quarter of 2006. I am currently working and staying in Dubai. My Guru follows the Thanjavur style. But, unfortunately, due to personal reasons, she has relocated to Chennai in Feb 2007, just after a couple of months of my lessons. And since then, I’ve been searching for another Guru to teach me Bharatanatyam. Hopefully, I should find someone, soon!
Which style of Bharatanatyam do you follow? I have seen your instructional videos on youtube and noticed that its a bit different from what I was taught.
Thanks and hope you have a good day!
Kind regards,
Sunita
Hi Ashwaiya, I thank you for the encouraging words. Also nice to know about your daughter who is learning bharatanatyam. I wish her success in every aspect of her life.
Very sorry for not answering you. Indeed your question is not Silly. Increased gap between the legs while doing the fast swaras is very common mistake seen among the beginners. Such an act reduces the beauty of the dance. It looks awkward. It has to be corrected every time she does it. Infact she has to be aware of it. So from our part we can only point it out every time the mistake is repeated. Ask her to practice the Teermanam Adavu and the Jati adavu nonstop in the 3rd speed every day in proper Araimandi. The steps in these adavus are used in the fast swaras. Practicing in front of the mirror will help. You have also mentioned about Body shake ie swaying of waist while dancing. That too will stop once she is aware of it and with right practice. This is my opinion….you can also ask her guru for some tips. Thats it…… nothing much to worry about. She has a long way to go.
Dandavats Pranam,
I’m from Spain and started learning Bharatanatyam a few months ago (I’m 28 now). I only get lessons once a week so it’s great to have your site for doubts and so on.
I have been looking for a site like this for long time and I must tell you that this is the best so far. The videos are very helpful.
Thank you very much!!
Regards,
Gopi Kumari dd
Hi Anjali,
i have been following your vids on utube and reading some of your comments, like on jan 20 th you wrote about
….while doing the fast swaras…
As a musician who can play the swaras on his instrument or sing them I often wonder where it is laid down how to perform them with limbs, legs, waist etc. In dance scripture we talk about the rasa of a swara, and one should perform so that the rasa is felt, either song, music or dance. This seems to have been the older way of yore. You seem to have some knowledge, perhaps you can point out some of your instructional vids to me or let me know of coming up vids where I can check this out?
God bless your work
Nigamaa forgot to add:
Check
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1K02ORzWI8
Josiane Sarrazin dite Jyoti dances Bharata natyam
style in front of a shrine dedicated to God, but no
explanation is given what rasa she is depicting, if sringara or santa?
It should be sanata anyhow, since it is a temple of peace!
Hi Nigama, Thanks for visiting this site. I saw the video link. The audio is not very clear. what I understood from her actions was its a song on SriRama. Now coming to your question on which Bhava to use. See while doing a dance we have to constantly change our expression in order to explain the meanings of the lines. But we must be aware of the Central Idea of the song. Like in the dance while showing Srirama…bring out the Santa Bhava. While showing the emotions of love bring out Sringara. It is also important what character are you dipicting. If you have a role of a departed lover show the depression on your face and body language. If you are a goddess at war its the Raudra Bhava and not shanta Bhava. I am of the opinion that expression change as per the situation.
Anjali, thx for following up on my questioning.
The above mentioned BN dancer is using a very sacred spot in a church
usually reserved for a male priest only. If made public to conservative folks,
quite alot people would take this as affront, ecspecially if they knew it depicts SriRam in a place dedicated to Christ. It is like offering a christian sermon in a Kali temple. I think Shanta Ras could compensate for this if made clear? To my understanding dance scriptures are presently researched into and in the future we might get a better picture of how Rasa was defined in the old days, see also the topic here
History of Carnatic Music
http://rasikas.org/viewtopic.php?id=4560
From pondering the subject, to me it appears in the beginning there could have been one sringara rasa, with seven bhava rasas. The themes treated below might be in shanta ? This way the vids below would become very meaningful to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X71AraKVKQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vL0pHRTj7I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiINCMdvKzU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7hvVJP3oIA&feature=related
It seems comparatively easy to see rasa in connection with dance or drama, but in the oldest writing this included music as well, so that even shruti and sowith swar had a rasa .
Anjali garu,
In my childhood I had learned basic steps and now when I could not refresh those steps to teach for my 9yr daughter, your web site and videos helped me alot to teach. I had learned in telugu words and I still find these words are easy to follow. One request is, now that my daughter is following all of your steps, I like her to perform these steps on the stage with some music to play all these steps. One request from you is , could you also compose a musical dance with all your steps. So that we can use your steps and dance song and make my daughter do on the stage. Thanks in advance. Very happy with your teaching.
Regards,
Leela
Hi leela
Thanks a lot for your kind word. I donot know how long your daughter has learnt. It is always better to learn classical for atleast 4 yrs before you give a stage performance ie classical based. Only by that time your child may attain perfection in body language. I can understand your concern aswell. I shall try doing something on these lines also. May be I can put up a small music with these steps included. But wait till I finish atleast three more adavus.
Thanks
Anjali
dear anjali,
thank you so very much for your blog! it is so helpful - especially for people like me, who are just beginning to study the dance. keep up the good work!
best,
wenti
Hi Anjali,
This is an incredible site - I was surfing the net to find diagrams/pictures and explanations of the mudras to help my 5yr old daughter with her Bharathanatyam practice. You have exceeded my expectations. Your site is clear, informative, well-organised, culturally rich.
One question - since my daughter is studying Kalakshetra style, will there be much difference in the basics as I would not want to confuse her from what her teacher explains?
Also, Priyanka Prashanth had asked about practising during the “monthly period” times. I am studying Ayurveda and my understanding is that traditionally women fully rested during the first 3 days of this period, not exerting themselves at all as it is the body’s natural way of cleansing itself to maintain harmony and balance in nature (our prakruthi) which explains why our ancient women aged gracefully and lived long and quality lives. Today, our busy modern lifestyles do not give time for rest and we suffer the consequences in our post-menopause years having all sorts of physical, emotional and cognitive ailments. I hope this helps and hope I have not contradicted anyone.
Hey Sheila, thanks for your kind words. Also you have explained Priyanka’s query quite well. This kind of tradition is still followed in our culture. I appreciate your concern. Now coming to your question…there are bound to be difference in the sequences of Adavus and their variation. I would advice you to follow her teacher while practicing. But the Mudras and the theory stuff would be common. You can refer this site for some extra tips and guidance. Keep visiting and adding you valuable comments
Hi Anjali,
This site is a wonderful piece of work from your side and I’ve been reading your posts for almost 4 months now. I’m sure atleast a few of those with enough passion but less time and resources to continue their proper lessons would benefit from this site.
I’m also glad that you enjoy reading my blogs.
Will be in touch. Take care.
Cheers,
Arv.
[Arvind Padmanabhan].
Hi Anjali
I do not have any words to say thanks about your wonderful job, but still thanks so much,
you have written about ADAVUS, there i have a confusion, please tell me the difference between - position of the legs and the posture of the legs. please let me know as soon as possible.
THANKS-GOD -BLESS YOU
hi anjali
i am a person that who interested a lot to classical dance (bharata natyam). i am very much impressed by this site and got happy. its very nice anjali..please be keep it up.
it is the most useful for the students who wants to learn the natyam online.
all the best,
smily regards,
- jyothi.
Dear Mam,
I dont know how to be thankful to you. My name is Kavya and I always wanted to learn Bharatnatyam since my childhood. I am very thankful to you for teaching me all this. You are my guru now. And please continue to teach me further.
Thanks
Kavya
Jyothi, Kavya and Ramya thanks a lot for your kind words. May god bless you all.
Hi Anjali,
My sincere congratulations and appreciation for your efforts !! I am currently residing in Saudi Arabia and am 28. I want to learn bhartnatyam. But donno how to begin. I donot have access to any schools or gurus here. I came across your website while searching and its really very good. In addition I also came across these DVD’s- Dances of India – Bharata Natyam Arangetram Dances DVD(Dancer: Padma Chebrolu, Directors: David Morrison) and Dances of india, learning bharatnatyam(Dancer: Padma Chebrolu, Directors: David Morrison) from this website- http://site.voila.fr/dancerindiana/Bharatanatyam_Bharatnatyam_Bharata_Natyam_DVD_VCD_Odissi_Bharathanatyam_Indian_Dance_yoga.html
I wanted to know your opinion before buying these DVD’s. I want you to advise me if these will be helpful. If you can recommend some dvd’s for beginners it would be a great help.
The country I am living in makes it difficult to get hold of things , so I have to resort to learning online or through CD’s.
Pls guide me on how to start and mode of learning. I would be ever grateful.
Thanks in advance and All the best,
Deepa
Hi Deepa , thanks a lot for your appreciation. I am impressed by your strong desire to learn this art. My heartfelt wishes and good luck to you.
Yes this Dvd of Padmaji (learning bharatanatyam)is quite educative and good for a starter. I would also recommend you to buy “Bharatanatyam Adavus - the depth and diversity” by Swathi soft solutions. It is an hour presentation of Adavus in a very stylized manner. Here you can see grace and expression of the dancers. This will also help you to improvise on your movements. You need not buy the Arangetram DVD now.
Hi Anjali, I think that by publishing the bharatanatyam basics video in your blog you give a great gift to all dance students and lovers. And they seem to be very clear and well explained. I would like to do something similar with kuchipudi one day!
Good job. Carry on with it!
Thanks a lot Marzia. Kuchipudi is very vibrant and elegant with its fast pace. Infact I feel fortunate to be receiving such words from dancers like you. Looking forward to some kuchipudi lessons from you.
Dear Madam,
I absolutely am thrilled to find this website! I am currently in the States - I learnt Bharatnatyam for just 3 months, then my work at office got too hectic and I couldnt continue. I still love this dance form and havent found any place here in States where I could continue it. This site is simply too good to be true. I hope I can learn the remainder from this site - at least I can practice it out!! Thanks Again!!!
I really enjoyed exploring your site. I have limited knowledge of bharatanatyam, having seen it only a few times in performance; I have never taken a class. It’s really informative and your site would be a great resource to a student.
Dear Anjali, please have a look at the 2 videos I’ve freshly sent to Youtube.
Here are the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pWpAuM0Br8
Feel free to leave a comment and don’t hesitate to criticize it if it is the case.
hi,
i was just wondering,
about this type of dance, only i want to base it as my theme for my gcse choreography?
instead of being a normal 8 beats is it 9 and a half?
id like to no some information if thats ok?
Anjali,
It’s beautifull all that you have done for disseminate bharatanatyam,
i want to deeply thank you.
Thanks a lot Daniela for your kind words. Your support and wishes will only help the site grow. Good luck!
Hi Anjali,
Thanks so much for this wonderful website ! I am 30 years old and have been learning bharathanatyam for 4 years. I am very serious about bharathanatyam and would like to do this professionally. I am wondering how to improve my form. I have heard that practising adavus daily for atleast 1 hour helps (vs. practising complete pieces like thillans and varnams). What is your experience. How much practise would you recommend on a daily basis for an advanced student who is really serious about bharathanatyam. Thanks much in advance for your response.
Sincerely,
Rekha
Hi,
It has been my lifelong dream to learn bharatanatyam, but since I’m a guy, dance wasn’t encouraged for me and I learned Carnatic music instead. I’ve learned some of the basics from your videos and I’m really happy for that. I will not perform for anyone and nor do I want to, but I’m excited to learn for my own satisfaction!! Thank you for making my dream come to fruition.
N
Thanks Mr N. Its good to know that Dance has been your passion and this site is helping you get closer to it. May god bless you.
Thanks Rekha for your appreciation. If you wish to be a professional dancer you must learn further. You must be a full time devotee of this art. It must be your first priority. A professional dancer spends altleast seven hours a day practicing for their performances. One hour of dance will help you to keep in touch with your basic and to be fit. Think about it. Decide your priorities and make a right choice.
Hi
I’m going to teach my friend’s sister bharatanatyam and i’m not a teacher,i’m a teen and i want to teach her bharatanatyam.Since I haven’t taught anyone i dont know where to start and what order to follow.so can you please help me?
Hi Anitha, thanks for visiting the site. I assume that you are a trained bharatanatyam dancer.
The right age to start learning bharatanatyam is 5 yrs. First class is only an introduction and breaking of ice between students and teacher. Then Begin with introduction to Samapada and Araimandi positions. Some basic warm up exercises. Give them a brief introduction about Bharatanatyam and lord Nataraja. From the Second session onwards recite the Angikam bhuvanam Shloka. Teach the Namaskar. Explain to the kids the importance of namskar. Revise the first session. From the third session onwards start with reciting Angikam bhuvanam sloka, followed by namskar and warmup. Then introduce adavus. You can follow the adavu as you were taught or can follow the order on this website. Every session revise the earlier steps taught. Do not move ahead if the student is not clear with the previous session.
Feel free to mail me if you need any help. Good luck.
Dear , Anjali i am also from pune i have lerned bhartnatyam from different different places and may be because of that i found my own style of dancing bhartnatyam is different rather than the kalakshatra actuly i want to learn more and more about this beautiful dance form you can help me in that
please mail me about your classes
and help me in that
Regards
ARTI
Hi Arti, thanks for visiting this site. Style and differences does not matter as far as the dance is beautiful. Finally a dancer has to go beyond techniques to explore the art. I will be going to US for a year now. Therefore some well known teachers form pune are
Sucheta Chapekar , Mrs. Shashikala Ravi, Parimal Phadke, Uma Tilak, Geeta Nair. Just google and search their names, you will get their contact. You will find lot of other teachers too. Meet them, decide and Good luck.
Hi Anjali,
Do you teach ‘Bharatnatyam classes’? If so, which style do you teach? My daughter will be in Pune in July and August. She is learning Bharatnatyam of ‘Kalakshetra’ style. She would like to join the classes. Please let me know.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Pratibha thanks for visiting the site. I shall mail you with the details.
Hi Anjali
I am living in Vancouver, Canada, I am looking for a guru in vancouver , Canada , Your blog so impressive and I hope you can help me to find a Guru for my daughter to learn bharatanatyam , If u have any information please mail me ,
Thanks
atia
Hi Anjali,
I teach Bharatanatyam at Jakarta, Indonesia. Found your website really interesting and a wonderful resource for students.
Thanks
Janaki
Hi Janaki, It feels nice when you are appreciated by people who are in the same stream. Your words are a great motivation to do better. Thanks a lot.
Hi Anjali,
I just discovered your website and I think it is absolutely fantastic!! I learned Bharatanatyam for around 6 years but I was very young at the time. I had to stop because the classes werent very effective as new students kept joining. Now all these years later I wish I had never stopped. I am keen to get into Bharatanatyam again and will soon see if I can find a teacher in London (where I reside). Your website has enabled me to teach myself the steps again. As I have already learned it before it is coming back very quickly. I think its great that you have created this website demonstrates all the steps and handmovements! I have already spent 3 hours practicing today (after 15 years!!) because I enjoyed it so much!!!
I am trying to re-teach myself the Alarippu dance. I remember most of it but I have difficulties getting the last fast part of the dance right. I was wondering if you could demonstrate the steps for the Alarippu?
Thank you so much for this website!!!
Regards,
Nisha
Wow, Nisha thats great !!! This show your interest. Hey Nisha, thank you so much for those encouraging words. Actually I have not yet thought about putting in dance items as online lessons. Not sure how that will work out. As of now I am concentrating on gestures and adavus. But yes I shall look into your request closely. Thanks again.
Hi Anjali! I have just completed all your videos and realized that most of the fast part of the Alarippu are the TattiMetti Adavu steps which you have demonstrated. So this is very helpful. I hope you carry on adding more videos so I can practice at home until I find a guru in London. Thank you so much again for this website!!! You really have done an amazing job with this. Many thanks!
Regards,
Nisha
Hi Anjali,
Thanks for putting this blog and your great videos online! It helps me learn a lot!
I wanted to ask you which of the DVDs on adavus you would recommend - there are 4 different DVDs on http://www.jayq.org , and I am wondering if you have watched any of them.
Thanks!!!!!!!
Regards,
Sumathi
Hi Sumathi. Thank you. Yes It is “Bharatanatyam adavus-the depth and diversity”. It explains the steps clearly, shows a few variations in three speeds. Also the dancers have perfect body language and expressions. Also the Cd “Bharatanatyam- percepts and practice” is good for hastas and bhedas. Others I have not gone through.
Hi Anjali,
I realize you are a great dancer.
I have a great love for Bharathanatiyam .My 6 year old daughter is learning Bharatanatyam . May I know which song will be best for children for stage performance.
If will help if you can suggest me a few songs good for Bharatanatyam and easy for children.
Hi Anjali,
You’re indeed doing a wonderful job by promoting Bharatanatyam. I wanted to ask your opinion about teaching the dance to my daughter who’s just turned 3 years old. Is it too early to start? And if not, could you recommend any school near Reading, Berkshire which might be teaching this beautiful artform?
Thanks a lot!
regards,
Monika
Thanks Nivedita, for your encouragement. It would be better if you ask your daughters guru, because he/she will be the right person to select a song best suited for her depending on her dancing abilities.
Hi Monika, thanks a lot for your kind words. If your daughter enjoys the whole process then you can go ahead with it. Else cannot force her to do so. Otherwise the right age to begin is 6yrs and above.
Hi Anjali,
I am Chitra from Singapore. Today i stumble upon your page by chance. I have learnt dancing when i was young and have stopped it for the last 7 years due to circumstances as i was out of the country. But the passion is still there in my heart. I would love to dance again. I am 28 years old now and thinking whether it is too late to start all over again.. I even have the drean of someday doing my arangetram.. Kindly advise me…
Hi Anjali
I am truly impressed by your website and the service you do to all the students of Bharathanatyam world wide.
Please can you let me know of any good Jatiswaram videos. My daughter is doing it right now and I am keen that she watches some videos.
Hi, i’m christina. i’m 15yrs old. i really love dancing and i would love to learn Bharatanatyam. But i’m nervous about learning i feel like i’m too old to learn dancing now all my friends graduated from their bharatanatyam class. Anjali can you email me at asiancutie9310@yahoo.com if you have any suggestions for me? By the way i saw your classes on youtube you were amaaazzinnng:)
Thank you have a nice day
Namasthe Anjali:
People like you who are adepts in the Bharatanatyam and other Indian classical dances are the true ambassadors of our culture. I salute you and wish you all the very best.
May God bless you in your efforts.
aamiahindu@yahoo.com
Hello dear Anjali,
Congratulations for your new web design. It’s very nice. Well, I’m studying Bharatanatyam in Spain and I may visit Mumbai in a few months. I would like to ask you if you can recommend some book so I can purchase them when I visit India and also if you know about some Guru who gives intensive courses or something like that.
Thank you very much for such a wonderful site. It’s very helpful and inspiring.
Regards
Sol
Hello Mr Vishwanathan (Am I hindu)
Thanks a lot for visiting. I believe it is the duty of every Indian to carry and preserve our rich culture. May be this blog has given me an opportunity to contribute in my own way.
Dear Sol
I am happy that you liked this design. Thanks.
Mumbai is a very vast city. If you could tell which part of Mumbai you will be residing (may the name of the place) I will be able to guide you. And certainly there are lot of Bharatanatyam teachers in mumbai. A well known school is the Nalanda institute of performing arts founded by Dr Kanak Rele.(a renowned Mohiniattom dancer.)
Dear Mrs. Anjali:
Thanks for the Bharatanatyam videos. We live in Detroit. My 6 year daughter Bavya is learning everyday from your videos. Instructions are very clear. May be you can release instructional DVDs.
Any way !!, Thanks for all the good work and making it available for us.
Thanks again
Regards
Sakthivel
Hi ! Anjali,
Congrats on your new website design. Your website is very rich in content and has great information for beginners and newbies like me, even just to read about Bharata Natyam. Hats off to you !!!! Keep up the good work.
All the very best to you.
Kapil
Thanks Sakthivel for these motivating words. I wish your daughter good luck in all her endeavors.
Thanks kapil for your inspiring comment.
Hi Anjai,
I liked yr website. I stay in Aundh Pune. I havee 2 qtns -
1) what is the right age to start learning Bharatnatyam dance. I have a 21/2 yr old daughter.
2) I want to know any good carnatic music teacher in Aundh or nearby places. I have already learnt music but lost touch. Also If someone can come home and teach music to small kids.
Vidya
Hi Anjali!
Keep up the good work!
I love the new look of the website!!
Sri Ramajayam
May Lord Shiva Bless you always.
With Love and Prayers
aumsree
Dear Anjali,
I really appreciate your efforts in creating this website, especially videos with explanation. I have learnt Bharatnatyam for 5 years in India and now am in USA.
I came across your site today while looking for dance classes in our area for my 3 year old daughter.
I will surely visiting this site frequently.
Thanks, Archana
Dear Vidya
Thanks for visiting. The right age to start a formal bharatanatyam lessons is 6yrs and above. Sorry I am not aware of any music teachers.
Dear Bansuri
Thanks again for your encouraging words.
Hello Aumsree
Thank you for the blessings. May God bless you too.
Dear Archana
It feels nice when this site is liked by dancers themselves. Thank you very much.
hi Anjali…i am Gayathri…actually i use to collect the famous dancer’s albums and videos, photos…..and i use to go and purchase many dvds, & acds from http://www.kalakendra.com and other sites. But i couldn’t find your any product cds on kalakendra.com and other than sites..also..like celextel…artindia.net…etc..etc…
so, can u just help me to identify that where can i collect your products…..
Cheers..
Gayathri N
Hi Gayatri. thanks for the interest shown. I have not yet thought about releasing the Cds. But yes it is a good idea.
Dear Anjali,
Thank you very much for your reply. I will be in 7, K.M.Munshi Marg Girgaon Chowpatty. That’s the exact address. I will spend maybe a couple of months so what I was looking for was for some intensive course or something. If you have some information that would be great!
Thank you very much and sorry for the inconvenience.
regards, Sol
Dear Anjali
Thank you so much for this blog. My daughter is 4 years old and she is crazy for dance, whenever she listens music automatically she starts dancing and she likes classical dance mostly. We are in UK and I was just worrying about how to teach her dance here and I saw ur blog just today and its really amazing I feel. I will try to teach her from ur videos and could u please suggest me where to start first and which part continues… it will be a great help for me
All the best and Thanks again
this is just amazin
cool
extraodinary
tremendous
i couldnt find any site learning bharatynayam
online
i searched for months
finally today i got see ur video in u tube.com
thanxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
u are so perfect st dancing
ur dance is awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
i love it
thanx for the help
i appreciate that u respect our tradition
Dear Devi
Thanks for encouraging. You can begin with the Namaskaram followed by the Adavus. check http://onlinebharatanatyam.com/2007/07/more-about-adavus/. Good luck.
Dear Tina
Thanks a bunch for your kind words. May god bless you.
G8 work,but can u make the site more organised ,what I mean is the video clipings can be provided in a way how a student starts off with this great art.Also u can have a archieve of all the clippings in the order so that a lay person like me can about it.
Congrats on ur great effort and the dedication to the unparallel dance art.
Thanks a lot , I have got a answer for my questions from ur website itself.Thanks G8 wrk
Thank you Mr Rajesh for the feedback. I have now organised some of my videos on the Index page. I hope that should be better. Do let me know.
I just saw your blog. very good. I don’t know much about about. but am learning instrumental (flute) music along with my wife sudha. we are running a news website - http://www.carnaticdarbar.com.
this is one is basically aiming to serve as a platform to provided all news (shorn of frills). this site will not be complete sans news about bharatanayam. i wish you take a look at the site. will be glad to receive your feedback. your comments are very important for us. shall keep dropping into your blog to pick up a few lessons.
sincerely
kt
Hi. I was wondering how does each dance in Bharatanatyam represent each God’s life in the Hindu culture?
Hi Rupa, thanks for visiting the site. Bharatanatyam began as a worship in temples by Devadasis. They usually sang and danced on songs and poetries in praise of gods. Thats how kautukams and kirtanams came in. Also there are lot of padams that narrate stories of the gods. It is largely based on Indian mythology.
Hello dear Anjali,
This is Sol again. I don’t know if you remember me, but asked if you had some information about some intensive course in Mumbai. I will be visiting India in 2 or 3 months and I’m trying to find some teacher. If not intensive at least I would like to take regular classes.
I’m very neophyte student. Just know a few adavus, but I have great enthusiasm to learn.
I will stay at Girgaon Chowpatty. Maybe some of your readers have some information too.
I feel a bit embarrassed for asking again. I guess you must be very busy.
Thank you again,
kind regards, Sol
Hi Sol,sorry for not having answered. I have mailed you with necessary details now.
Meanwhile if there are any readers who know about good classes around the area, please feel free to write and send us the information.
Namaste Anjali,
I’m translating diary of vaishnava saint Cintamani Devi to lithuanian and i’m looking everywhere for illustrations for my work. Could you help me? I’d like to ask you some beautiful pictures of bharatanatyam dance.
Dear Anjali, i like your entusiasm in teaching Bharatanatyam online very much
Radhe Radhe,
Best wishes, May Radhika bless you.
Namaste Baladev das ji
What kind of pictures do you want. Is it relating to any mudra or any deity etc. If You can specify may be I can help. and Thank you for you kind words
Namaste,
Dear Anjali, it’d be nice to find one illustration of ‘luxurious’ bharatanatyam performance, because that diary is about girl who was dancer and entertainer and suddenly became brahmacharini. In exchange I could give you some interesting food recipies. And I have one question, can I dance bharatanatyam? I’d like to dance only in presence of my home Deities. Thank you very much.
Radhe Shyam,
May Radhika bless you
Dear Mrs Anjali,
Thank you so much for creating this website. It’s great help as I practice this wonderful dance often at home, too. I’m from Europe and there’s only one Bharata Natyam teacher in my country; our other teacher from India comes twice per year. Our dance group practices on a regular basis but there’s so much more I’d like to learn about this wonderful dance form (and, luckily, there’s a lot of great info on this website - I really like your views on how to prepare for a stage show:)
I also have a question: How can I improve the balance in pirouettes/turnings - especially in the 3rd speed?
Looking forward to your reply.
Kind regards,
Sylvia
Dear Baldevdasji
There are a number of dance performances on the youtube. You should visit and you would get one. I have in my favorites added a few. Take look at them aswell.
Dancing before the god is a very noble thought and yes, you can learn this art too.
Dear Sylvia
Thanks a lot for your kind words. Its good to know that there are so many Bharatanatyam enthusiasts outside India. I wish you good luck and success ahead.
A step that is difficult practice it again and again with a positive belief that I will get it right. Start with a slow speed and as you progress try doing it faster.
Dear Mrs Anjali,
I’m very happy to have recieved your advice - thank you:) I shall practice such steps in this way. There’s another thing I’d really like to know about Bharatanatyam. So far, we have been learning various choreographies (Alarippu, Swarajati, Tillana, etc.). But is improvisation possible in this dance form, too? Many friends ask me and I don’t really know what to tell them. If it is possible, how many years experience (or what knowledge) is needed to improvise well?
Best regards,
Sylvia
Namaste,
I’ll try to learn more. Thank you for posting such educational videos. And one more question, i’m dancing with dhoti now, are there any special dhoti draping styles for dancing? 
Best Wishes
Thank you, Anjali ji,
I’ve learnt Nata and Tata Adavus a bit from your videos
May Radharani bless you,
Radhe Radhe
Dear Baldevdasji
Traditionally bharatanatyam is danced in dhotis. If you are comfortable you can continue or can switch over to a pyjama.
Any improvisation must look decent and not just altering or cutting down the item. just take a look at these links on how allarippu is improvised.
1. http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=UJIISv6ZwWA
Allarippu can also be done on a song playing at the background and sollukettu being said simultaneously.
2. http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=_qWonFBGisM&feature=related
Hi Anjali,Very useful site for the readers. Very helpful. Please provide me the details of Sthayi, shathvika and other bhavas.
Ann, Thanks. I shall very soon put up some details on Bhavas. Meanwhile check out a the articles on Navarasa and Abhinaya part 3 for bhavas and satvika abhinaya.
hi anjali
i found this site to be such a great informative site. i m a student of bharatnatyam and have just begun learning it since the last 2 mths. when i do the leg movements, specialy in madhalya, i feel my heel gives me quite some pain, which makes me uncomfortable to do more practice. as such i dont have any heel problem. is it becoz i m putting too much pressure on my heels while doing it, coz even my arms start paining, and my teacher says i m keeping my arms too tightly stretched. well, maybe its becoz of less practice since its only 2 mths?
i love reading the information on ur blog, keep it up. i wud love to visit ur blog for more.
thanks!
sheetal
Dear Anjali,
it`s great that you show us how to dance Bharatanatyam! We live in Germany and we made a one-week-class with an indian dancer and now we continue to dance with your intenet-you-tube help.
Thanks a lot!
Varsana Rani and Draupadi
Hey Varsana and Draupadi I am glad you liked it. Thank you so much.
Hi, anjali… like your post… I am 30 and have just started learning the dance form!
It is beautiful… i was always enthralled by bharat natyam and never got an opportunity to learn… i gave up.. but i work for a school and told our dance teacher that i was interested… she immediately made me realize its never too late!!
I am enjoying this learning experience!!
I want to learn and read deeply the theory… can you suggest some good books…
Love
Sherryna
Sherryna, it is encouraging to know you liked the posts. Two good books that is a must read is the Abhinayadarpanam and the Natyashastra. There are lot of English translated versions available. Books by authors Manmoham gosh and P. Ramchandrashekar are good. I wish you good luck for your lessons ahead.
Gud work……i like this site as its very useful for all who would like to begin with. I appreciate your hard work that you put in this site. Keep going.
Please suggest me
I am male with age 30.Unmarried and leaving in Bangalore. I want to know if its feasible for me to start learning this now. And what is the process i need to follow and the time i need to dedicate if i want to consider my self that i learned considerable amount of this art in next 1 or 2 years….? …Thanks.
Hello Kiran, I am glad that you liked the contents here. Thank you. You can surely start learning now. If you only have a time of 1 or 2yrs, Then I think you must devote as much time as possible towards understanding the art. You can join dance institutes like kalakshetra, that offer 2-3 yrs full time course on Bharatanatyam. Good luck.
respected anjali madame
i am learning bharatanatyam and i really enjoy it
this information is really helpful and it is explained in a simple manner which is easy to understand and helps you more.
i hope that you continue updating your site.
i am grateful that you have introduced this unique way for learning.
thank you tejaswini
Tejaswini, with so much of encouragement from people like you, I am always inspired to do more. Thank you.
Hi Anjali,
I was student of Bharatiya sangeet samiti. I have cleared five cerificate exam of that. I am interested complete my course. Right now I am in canada( vancouver). I am going back to mumbai. Could you pls. guide to complete my course.
Thanks in Advance
Ashlesha, nice to know we are from the same school. I shall mail a phone number of a friend of mine in Thane. You can contact her when you reach Mumbai. Good luck!
Hi Anjali,
Thanks so much for your prompt response regarding knee pain in bharathanatyam. I have a question about abhinaya. I feel I am too shy to fully express myself in front of my teacher. But I feel really motivated to be expressive in front of the morror. I however do not acknowledge this to my teacher or anyone else because I feel they will then pay more attention to me when I am doing abhinaya
How do you overcome this shyness ? Thanks in advance again !
Dear Rekha, it is very important to forget yourself when dancing. Just assume the character you dance. Ignore anything around you. Instead of practicing before the mirror behind closed doors practice where your members at home can see you. They are the right people who can give you a true feedback. Their words may sound critical and funny sometimes, but if you can take in a right spirit you will overcome your fear.
Hi Anjali,
You are doing a wonderful job with this website. I have learnt Bharatnatyam for over 8 years in India and am teaching kids here in the Boston area. I came across your website when I was looking for information and pictures on Bharatnatyam to send to my niece who has just started learning in the DC area. I appreciate your patience and enthusiam to compile your knowledge and present it to the world so beautifully. Keep up the great job!
Hey Niveditha, thank you for that encouraging words. Feel free to share your opinion, ideas and experiences here.
Thanks Anjali.
I have learnt dance some many years ago. I want to retsart. I am a young at heartt and looks older person In my 40’s… I want to do it slowly.
I live in rural Arizona where there is no teacher.
Can you make some kind suggestions?
I am so pleased to see your website. Thanks a million. You are so lovely.
Panna.
hey panna, you can surely practice using videos. Initially start with namaskara followed by tatta adavu. I shall soon be starting an online coaching and shall mail you with the details soon.
Hi Anjali!
Nice name! I was just browsing some bharatanatyam dance steps on Youtube. Fortunately! I found your online classes. Im so greatful. I was learning bharatanatyam in my childhood days. In fact, I love & respect bharatanatyam hearty. But could’nt continue classes for certain reasons. Im glad that I found your videos, now i can pratice all the steps & learn more from You at home itself. Once again I would love to thank you so much and wont forget to wish you Happy Diwali !
God bless!
Warm regards,
Neha Gokarn
Hi Anjali.I am a 20 yr-old girl.When i was in my 4 th grade though i had learnt a bit of this art but for just a month.But i always had this passion for learning.I am sure of re-starting it all over again.I have one question for you though.I heard Bharatnatayam helps bring grace to our basic movements like walking and facial expressions?Is it true?Also i would like to truly appreciate and all the more thank you this blog of yours.Please answer my question and do keep posting more such mudras.
Regards.
Thank you Neha and Pratusha. Wish you all a very happy Diwali. Pratusha the answer to your question is ‘Yes’.
thanks a lot for replying ot my query Anjali ma’am..one more question though..I live in thane.Is there any way you would know and suggest any dance class out here?I would be obliged if you know.
Regards.
Well Pratyusha, in thane there are couple of experienced dance teachers. Those known to me are Rakhi chikte- 98969196979 who has her classes in Naupada. Uday kumar (uday386@rediffmail.com ) has his classes in Brahmand complex and Rutu enclave on Ghodbunder road.
Hello Anjali,
I just wanted to tell you how much I love this website. I have always been a great admirer of Bharatanatyam and have wanted to study this great art form. Unfortunately due to various reasons, it has remained an unfulfilled wish. A month ago, I came across your site and since then, I have been studiously following your videos and memorizing steps. I can’t express the happiness I feel when I realise that I am finally able to learn something of this divine art. I am looking forward to the day when I will be able to start learning formally under a Guru, but your videos and blog are definitely a great asset in helping me undertsand the basics of Bharatanatyam.
Right now, I am practicing the Visharu Adavu and am eagerly looking forward to more videos. Since I am not used to dancing much, my legs ache a lot, but I don’t care really; I feel so happy that I am finally able to learn!
Thanks a lot for all the effort that you take in educating people like me and may God bless you!!!!
Hey Ampili, I am glad that you are able to learn from the videos. Things will fall in place for the dedicated and the passionate. Good luck and thank you.
Hi!!I’m Preeti. I have done Upantya Visharad from Gandharv Mahavidyalaya. My guru is Mrs. Neha Shah. Beacuse of soem personal reson I ahd to discontinue my Visharad. I liked a lot the way you are spreading Bhartnatyam. I’m really keen to continue with my Nritya sadhana in Bhartanatyam. Can you guide for reviseing my knowledge of Bhartnatyam?
Waiting for your reply.
Thanking you,
With worm regards,
Preeti
hi anjali,
let me thnk your first for the effort u have done.I reside in USA and my daughter goes to a dance class where she come with doubts with the postures and meanings, ur site had been a great help for my daughter.thnk u once again for ur time and good work..take care
Best of Luck
Jaya
Hello Preeti, If possible get in touch with your teacher again and see how she can help you. I believe she would be happy to do so.
Hi Jaya, I am glad to know this site this helping your daughter. I wish her good luck with her lessons ahead.
Hi Anjali,
My daughter is looking for Shabdham video. Is it possbile to post it on your website.
Since you are in the U.S I just wanted to know if you would be interested in offering web based lessons for my daughter who has learnt till jathiswarams.
Hey,
i haved see your website. it’s greatfull.it will very usefull for the people who is insrested by bharathanatyam. by the way i’m a dance teacher living in france.
thanks for your wonderfull work.
Hello Mam,
Thanks a lot for your quick reply.I really gained confidence by reading your message.I will definitely put the same into action and practice,and sure it will help me a lot.I will be much oblized if you guide me in this way if i require any help in future.
Thanking you
Deepesh
hi anjali
m very thankful for u creat this blog. as i am in riyadh cant learn bharatnatyam here but now as i found ur blog it seem easy for me. i think bharatnatyam is course of up to 7 years. can u pls explain here which adavu and which hand mudra belongs to which year. i mean which steps r for which year. it will be easy .
and other thing about hand mudra can u post picture of every mudra with its name.
again i am very thankful to u. u r great.
I have been healed by this beautiful dance.
I have a cronic pain condition and this dnace helps me strech every day and I feel strong and gracegul and beautiful for once. It is a lovely thing and I hope to study it it Tamil Nadu next summer. Thanks so much for providing great refreshers!
Hi Bridget, happy to know your experiences with the art form. I wish you good luck for your lessons. Thank you.
Thanks for showing us. Please let me know if you perform in Florida.
Hi Anjali,
i have completed my nritya visharad in bharatnatyam….but i am confused whether to perform arangetam since i have finished my nritya visharad………….plz help me……..
Arangetram is said to be the first ever performance given by a student with the consent and the support the guru. Your guru should tell you if you are ready. It is one of the best opportunities you have to project your talent. Also one need not spend too much on arangetrams. It can be very simple. . Is your confusion on these lines?
hi Anjali,
My friend is interested in doing Ph. D in Bharatanatayam from mumbai, can you please help me with this?
Can you please provide us with the contact info of the place?
Nikhil Karpe.
Hi Nikhil, Dancer Sandhya Purecha i believe helps students for their Ph.D. Her contact info I got from narthaki ie
“Kala Parichay”, Sandhya Purecha
1-Maya Co-Op. Hsg. Society, 5-College Road, Behind Prabhadevi Telephone Exchange, Dadar, Mumbai 400028
Ph: (022) - 24311422 Mobile: 0-98692 05891 / (022) - 32777311
e-mail: sandhyapurecha@hotmail.com
Also take a look her profile in the kalakshetras website
1. http://www.rukhminidevikalakshetra.com/ProfileDet.asp?LnkCode=21
2. Her website http://www.sandhyasculturalcentre.com/index2.htm
It was a pleasure to go through your website. You are simply superb in sharing the great knowldge you have.thank you so much again.
i teach dance for little kids. I just started with thata advus.I am kalakshetra student.
I was wondering if you could post small pushpanjali for kids say about 3-5 minutes.thanks in advance
Thank you Smitha. Its great to have dancers from such renowned institutes on this blog. Your words are surely a motivation for me. I shall try posting some pushpanjali. Else if i find some links online on pushpanjalis I shall send it to you. Also wish you success with your newly started class.
Hi Anjali
Sorry for the delayed response.
I deeply ask for your apologies if you feel that my website is a true copy of yours.Actually, my intention is not to copy anybody’s website for my own benefit.
My true intention is to bring all bharanatyam artists/groups/dancers/Bharatanatyam Schools/academies in to one network.
In the near future, I am planning to add blog, so that users may publish their respective program mes/views on bharatanatyam on to my blog.
I will definitely invite all known bharatanatyam celebrities(including you) to add their remarks/articles to my blog.
Basic purpose of my website is to spread the oldest cultural dance form worldwide.
Once again, my apologies if you got hurt by my copying some of the contents from your website.
Regards
Shiva
Hi Anjali,
If you wish, may we exchange our respective website links to be posted on each others website.
Regards
Shiva
Hi Anjali
I was very happy by seeing all the replys in web site.& encourage the people through online . i very blank about dance and i was very interested to learn but iam handycap i could not .i want my daughter to become a dancer likeyou and My daughter has just started learning she 4 yrs has i have no idea about it can my dream come true . how should i make her practice
Bye
Nalini
hi anjali
i really appreciate you making all these videos for us i woul like to ask you will you only show the basics or will you teach us some dances to
like alarippu pushpanjali etc
please post some soon
thankyou
\best of luck
Hi Nalini
I can understand. See your daughter is just 4yrs, she has a long way to go. Right now you just need to support and encourage her. Trust her guru and give her all your cooperation. As your child gets older she will discover her own niche and let you know what she wants. Lets hope for the best.
HI cheryl,
Thanks for your support. Yes I hope I am able to do all that you have mentioned.
Hi anjili
When I was 10 years , I learnt bharatnatyam two years and stopped. Now I am 40 years. we are living in Canada, but we live far away to Edmonton. I have one grand daughter I want to teach bharatnatyam to her. I learnt in Telugu. I taught some basic steps to her. I want to teach some items also. So I request to you how to find the songs (Telugu Raa ra venu gopa bala Swarajati, alaripu jatiswaram ect., song could you please let me know how will I get that songs.
Thanks
Vijaya
Very good attempt. I am daughter and disciple of Late Swamimalai K. Rajarathnam Pillai Bharathanatyam Guru for Frontline dancers like Malavika Sarukkai, Priyadharshini Govind, Srinidhi Chidhambaram etc. I found this site really useful to suggest for my students. Please keep in touch.
Hey Vijayaji
I guess your grand daughter is really lucky to have an active granny like you. I have heard of Raa ra venugopala song in some kuchipudi dances. let you know when I find it. Allarippu and jastiswaram Cd’s are available in sites like Kalakendra.com. Though I have not personally bought them. Good luck .
Hey Jayakamalaji it feels nice to be encouraged by Gurus like you. I am glad you liked it. Thank you.
Hi Anjali,
This is a great website and I appreciate the hard work you put in this. I am a teacher myself and this website helps me in providing my students with more information that I did not learn as a student. Please keep sending such information like the other various hastas. Thanks very much.
Regards,
Sandhya.
Hello Sandhya, thanks. It feels nice when dancers themselves appreciate the work. Keep adding in your thoughts, comments and suggestions for our readers.
Hello Madam,
i’ll be greatly thankful if i could get some mp3 / songs of varnaas so that i can make my kid do this.. i had a copy of these which i lost recently…
kindly do the needful…….
thank u
Anjali,
Your efforts in promoting Bharatnatyam is incredible. I never thought that I could google for information on such a subject till a friend told me. I do not have words to express my feeling towards your kind work on this subject.
My daughter is learning Bharatnatyam from a very good teacher in gurgaon for last three years. Till now we could not help her learning at home. But you have just made this possible.
Thanks a lot & keep up the good work.
Nirmal
Hi Sreelatha
Thanks for visiting the site. I am not very clear of what you want. There are a number of Varnams. Any specific song that you are looking for?
Hi Nirmal
Thanks a lot for the encouragement. I am happy that this site is helping parents to guide their children. I wish all success to your daughter. Thanks again.
Namaste!
of course i hope that this person would like the music i can share. (i have quite large collection in different styles)
Your page is really marvelous
But have really a problem. there is no possibility to get some traditional audios for free. i know there are much of cd’s but i cant find anybody who has it.
so- maybe there is some fantastic person in this portal who could send me through msn some classical dance pieces (kathak style too)
so my msn adress is kaivva@yahoo.com
and very big thanks to everyone !
:>>
and all my love and bliss
kaiva
hi anjali
myself divya bhatt, married and living in noida. i very much intrested in leraning bharatnatyam dance, but the problem is, that the period of 6 years for bharatnatyam is very long. now i am 28, n dont have any kid. other side i m searching a job, is it possible, what to do, just tell me.
all the very best
divya
i want mp3 song of bharanatyam
hello Anjali,
i think that your web site. It is great.
ilerned alot of the mudras and i am learning more from it. thank thank you sooo much it is very helpful.
hemamukhi
Hi Anjali
I just started learning Bharatanatyam. I am 29. My teacher said there were different styles in this. She is teaching in Tanjore style. After seeing your site, I am seeing these movements also. I have a question to you, The videos posted by you are in which style? I tried to look in this site, couldnt find it. Can you please let me know. I look forward your answer. Thanks
Hi Sangeetha
This is the pandanalur Style.
Thanks for the class. I am taking class now. I saw one site selling all adavus in DVD. I was thinking about ordering one.
I saw your adavu’s in you tube.
I am intersted in online course.
Hi Anjali,
My daughter is 4 and a half years old and I am very keen that she learn bharatanatyam. I had started learning when I was a child but could not continue since my father had a transferable job. Though we are from Kerala, we are currently living in Gurgaon. I came across your website while searching the net for a good teacher. Its very impressive what you have done with your knowledge and passion for this dance form. I would like to ask whether you know of any good Bharatanatyam teachers in Gurgaon. Thanks, Sandhya
HI Anjali,
I have written to you a couple of times in the past and I really appreciate your prompt answers and suggestions. I have a question about becoming a professional / performing artist. I am 30 years old and already have an established career in software. I have always felt very passionate about bharathanatyam and would like to pursue this at a professional / performing artist level. I am currently learning a varnam with a very good teacher in the US. I will be doing my arengetram in 1 year. My question is how do I improve myself from that point. Should I go to India on a regular basis and learn from famous gurus (in addition to learning advanced pieces and nattuvangam from my teacher here). I am planning on cutting down my hours at my present job as a software engineer so that I can pursue dance at this level. Dance is my passion and I really want to achieve my goal of pursuing this at a professional level. I will gladly dedicate 7-8 hours a day dancing or being involved in dance. Kindly advise how I should go about improving my skills in dance once I complete my arengetram. Thanks much in advance.
Hi Rekha, nice to know about you. I wish you all the best and good luck with your decision. You tend to mature as an artist when you keep performing. Perform where ever you get an opportunity. Initially you might have to give some free performances. Join the dance groups of experts.I have started realizing that the learning process never ends. As we progress ahead in arts its our contribution to the the field that matter. It could be in terms of your choreography or creating an repertoire of your own. It is much in terms of inner realization than with reference to external perfection. It is some kind of discovery that happens. Probably doing a Ph.D could help dig deeper as you could be doing your own research. I am sure your guru can guide you better.
Hi Anjali,
Really it is very much usefull website to learn dance,it helps me more to learn from this.Plz can u provide Allaripu and all junior protion online,this will help us more to learn dance.
Thanks
Prashanthini
Thanks Prashanthini,sure you would see them soon. Stay tuned.
Namaskaram Anjali Garu, I am really excited after looking your website.All the videos are so encouraging to everyone in learning Bharatanatyam. I really appreciate all your efforts. Thanks for this wonderful thought and online classes.
God bless you!
Padma, thank you. Good to know the site its helping you. Wish you good luck.
Hi Anjali Garu,
Thanks for your reply,plzz let me know how many years it will take to complete bharathanatyam.
Hi Madam.
I will not write any comments. All that i want is to know if i can seek some advise from you but Private.
thanks
Priscilla
Madam, I am Ashritha from Mumbai. I am 10 years old and am learning this dance for the last 5 years. I am enjoying the dance very much and want to be a great dancer some day. How can learn dance online from this site???
Hello Ashritha, good to know you have learned Bharatanatyam for quite some time. My best wishes are with you. I have some videos, audios and articles on this site, that serve as a reference. Also I do take one to one sessions online for those who need.
Thanks for you so useful site. I teach Bharatanatyam and one of my pupils discovered your site, I’ve told them to watch your videos to improve their practice. I’m only sorry my english is too poor to thank you the way we should !
Regards
Yvon
Hey Yvon, I am glad you liked it. Thank you.
Hi Anjali di
Today is my day one with you (virtual mentor). I am really glad that I found you, otherwise learning Bharatnatyam would have been an unfulfilled dream.
Felt like saying thank you. I will get back to you as soon as I learn at least the first four variations ( Day 1)
Warm Regards
Megha
Hai Anjali ji,
My name is Divya. And i have learned dance for few years.Did my Arangettam. I was not lucky enough to continue my dance classess because we shifted to Australia. It was very painful for me. Because…….. DANCE is my passion.Can’t express it in words.Itz beyond anyone’s imagination.I simply Love classical dance forms.My parents were getting upset, I was becoming gloomy day-by-day. And they were planning to send me back to India during vacation,so that i can continue with my classess. But after finding ur website…O GOD.. i can’t tell how happy iam.Itz like getting rain in Desert.
Thank you soooooooooo much Anjali ji.You are doing a wonderful job
Hope to see more videos in future for jyathiswaramm, padham, varnnam and all.
Thank You
Love , Divya
Takecare.
Hello Megha, I am happy that you are learning from this site. Thanks
Hi Divya,
Really nice to know about you. Hope you find somebody to continue your lessons. Wish you good luck. Thank you very much for your motivating words.
hai anjali,
A very good website,..i jus happened to see it by luck i guess,its really wonderful.I learnt classical yrs ago and even did my aragetram but couldnt continue due to my studies,..atleast now i hav a chance to keep in touch with the steps and dance.hats off to u anjali.my best wishes forever.
Hi ,Anjali ,
My daughter , Dhwani , is 13 yrs old and is learning Bharatnatyam since she was 4 yrs of age. She completed her Arangetram last year in June and is currently doing her Volume 2. She has been learning the Kalashetra style . She has also been giving her Gandharva exams .She is very keen on her dance and wishes to complete all five volumes. Her Guru was Shalini Sharma a disiple of Guru Ravi Sharma. She is currently doing Volume 2 with Guru Ravi Sharma. But being in a city like Mumbai and with today’s culture , things are getting more commercialised. I really wish that she has a better Guru in future and if possible a private Guru. Can you give any references specially since you have doen your courses from Mumbai . Also I understand Hema Malini does not have any dancing school in Mumbai , but due to your experience with her , can you guide if she has any schools or private classes where she teaches or her senior student steach Bharatnatyam under her guidence. Thanking you .
Regards
Avani
Dear Anjali,
I want to know the difference inbetween Pandanallur, Thanjavur and Adyar style of Bharatnatyam Style. I was said to have learning Thanjavur style of Bharatnatyam. Please let me know the difference.
Sincerely,
Lalitha S.
Hai Anjali ji,
Thanks 4 ur reply. Yea i found someone… and itz u Mam. Now am refreshing my steps through this site.
Thanks,
Divya
hey i am also a classical dander .
can tell me where is youe classes in U.S.A please……..
THANKS……………
You are great. No words to describe. I too learnt dance but life did not give a chance to continue. Now trying to do it but has forgotten many. You are helping to remember them. Seeing your videos i corelate what i learnt. It makes me go to my old days. Thanks for this. I can see the passion you have for dance.
Thanks
Uma
Lover of Bharatanatyam
Namaskar Anjali!
I am an African Drummer who turned Latin Drummer and then Latin Dancer. I have been teaching Yoga since I was a teen. Now in my adult life, I have found my way to this glorious expression of devotion and myth through dance. Though challenged by it, I love the beauty and practice. I thank you for your site and the information here as I am not able to be with my teacher every week. You are most informative and your love for Bharatnatyam fills me with the motivation to practice!
Really good job Anjali!!Came across one of your videos in youtube…Goodluck.
Hello Avani,
Good to know about your daughter who have been learning dance for quite some time. I would suggest not to change teachers if she is able to learn and give exams. As you know Hemaji does not have any classes. But her students do have their own dance schools in Thane and Dahisar.
Hello Lalitha,
This is the order of styles. Tanjaore - Pandanallor - Kalakshetra - Adyar. Tanjaore is the ancient and propagated by the Tanjaore quartets. The contributions of their student Meenakshi sundaram pillai from pandanallor, a great natuvanar, came too be know as Pandanallor bani. Rukmini Devi a disciple to Meenakshi Sundaram pillai founded the Kalakshetra style. And finally Adyar lakshman an alumini of kalakshetra. His students call it as the Adyar Style.
Hello Divya,
God bless you and wish you all the best. thank you.
Hello Sonali,
Good to know you are a dancer too. I am in Arkansas, US. I only provide online one to one sessions currently. Thanks
Hello Preethi/Uma
Thank you for your kind words. happy to know the site is helping you. God bless!
Hello Amy
Nice to have such a talented a artist on this blog. Glad to know this site is helping you. I wish you good luck with your endeavors. Thank you.
Hi Hemalatha Gunasekaran
Thank you. God bless you.
Hi, Anjali!!!
Im just started my Bharatnatyam lessons in Moscow, Russia. Your site is very useful for me as a beginner and it is great that you have some pages in russian.
Im very curious about your interest to russian.
Thak you for information and videous.
Hello Maria, Thank you. I am glad you found the site helpful. I am greatfull to Nina, one of our readers from russia who is helping me with the Russian translation.
Anjali,
I have found some news from Hema Malini which might be of interest:
http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=113695
quote
“I love dancing and I can’t live without it. For this I do at least two-three shows in a month and for each show I’m on the stage for minimum two hours. Each show requires rigorous rehearsals. So that’s how I remain fit,” “Apart from that I also do yoga and some exercises. You have to live a different kind of life; you have to sacrifice a lot of things. You cannot have things like tikki, jalebi and so on; you can see them but not eat them,”
end of quote
Next time can you add the bhedas too i learn bharatnatyam and i am a bit confused with the bhedas a nd please do this as soon as you can because it is my grade 1 exam in a few days
P.S. Please please add the bhedas ( with the pictures)
Thanyou to you Anjali (chechi i don’t know how to call you)
that i have learned my mudras now my mudras are more easier than usual and this website you’ve made is very helpful.
P.S. Thank You and provide us the pages of BHEDAS too!!!!
Hello Crissy, Thank you. Stay tuned and I shall posting the Bhedas gradually and as soon as I can.
Hi anjali,
Great work. Very informative.
Thanks.
Hi Anjali,
Vey informative website.
Is there any adavu called “Korvai Adavu”?
Thanks
Jayanthi
today is Women’s Day. I congratulate you, Anjali. Be always as beautiful,graceful, and kind as you are now. Thank u for this site
My best wishes to you!!!
Hey Jai
Thank you Jayanthi. Korvai’s are the combination of different adavus put together. In other words it is the stringing of various steps to form a sequence. So Korvai adavus may have steps form different adavus blended together. We can say that a jati is a combination of different korvais ending with a Teermanam.
Hi Ksenia,
Thank you for your greetings. Wish you the same and God bless you !
Anjali,
I am interested in getting some more info on your dance classes. Do you have any DVDs with all of your classes together?
Dear Anjali,
Im a MCA graduate.Ive been learning dance for the past one year. And, i had the burning desire to learn dance, from my childhood. But unfortunately, dint had proper guru. Im much impressed by this blog, and the way u respond, and the documentation of ur site, its really inspiring. Your dedication, simplicity, and interest is great. I would like to know more about Mandi Adavu. And by the way, will it be difficult for me to progress in natyam, as im grown-up, and my muscles became tight.. Of course, it was relatively bit tougher for me to learn till now. But, i managed to progress. And, now really struck with this Mandi Adavu. But i definitely dont want to give up. Well, waiting for ur response.. Thanks alot.. Keep going..
Hi Preeya
I have mailed you some info on my online classes. I shall be soon coming out with my DVD’s. Shall let you know then. Thanks.
Hello Siva Shankari
Good to know about you and your passion for bBharatanatyam. I am aware that mandi adavus are slightly difficult for adult students like you. But keep practicing and do not struggle or get stuck with this adavu much. There is a lot more beyond mandi adavus you can learn and do in natyam. Dancing in itself is a good exercise. With practice you will be at ease with it. Enjoy your journey
dear anjali,
My 7 yr old daughter started her first class in Bharat natyam yesterday and i was just googling to have some infm..
You have done great job and all the best in life.
As its said, knowledge is to spread and not to keep it to yourself.
God bless,
usha
Thank you Uma. I wish all the best to your daughter. And God bless you too.
Nice videos Anjali. I was on google for lookout for Bharatnatyam teacher, for my daughter who is in 7th grade in Saudi arabia (Dhahran). It was then I came up on ur site. I think till we get a teacher( if we are lucky), she can refresh her steps from the videos. You have done a awesome job. Keep up your work. Incase, you have any contact info for any teachers through ur network, please email me at rajasreesanjay@hotmail.com.
Hi Anjali I’ve been a bharatanatyam dancer for 7 years now and I’ve seen you dance before an you do a wonderful job! I was in Little Rock last week but now i’m back in Tamil Nadu India for a bharatanatyam performance.I’ve been learning kuchipudi too and it’s very hard to do.I hope I’ll see you someday in india!
Shreya Sumudralwar
Hello Raji
Thank you for the encouragement. I shall mail with some details soon.
Hello Shreya
Glad that you liked the site. All the more happy be encouraged by a dancer. I have learnt Mohiniattom for some years, but never got the opportunity to learn Kuchipudi. What a coincidence you were in little rock and we never met. I wish you all the best with your performances and Kuchipudi lessons. Will be in touch and would love to see you perform. Thank you.
Hi anjali! I just finished my schooling last year. i am 17 and from malaysia. i was always interested to learn bharatanatyam since very young. then when i was browsing through youtube, i came up to your video. i really appreciate all the steps that you taught. it was very useful. seeing the way you explain about the steps, i have decided to take you as my Guru. Since i am new to Bharatanatyam, i hope your website does provide the real steps.
thanks a lot by
Shakti
its very useful for learners like me .
Please tell me where should i get more videos like this
regards
Very best luck to you
Do you do any competitions
Hi Anjali,
I loved your step and also i am learning bharanatayam and i love it too .There is also an grader coming tommorow . I really like to do tatta adavu e.c.t - i really enjoy it. Where ae you now and what do you do? Your steps help me to learn more things .It encourges me to do more and more.I am 10 Years old and i think i am quiet good at it but still i will have to learn more.Your infomation isreasly useful fo me Thank you.!
Hello Jimily,
Good to know you are learning bharatanatyam and you are able to learn from the videos. I am in little rock, USA and I provide dance lessons online to my students. Jimily, God bless you and I hope I can see your performance one day.
Mahesh, thank you. I shall keep updating this site. Many learning Cd’s are available these days. Check with kalakendra.com
hi anjali
i love ur dance
i admire u r dance
but u r not answered my question.
iam 25 . i dont know little bit of dance.
can i learn it with in one year
Siri, Thank you. Sent you a mail yesterday regarding your inquiry for online classes. You will not be able to learn entire repertoire of bharatanatyam in a year. But definitely you could complete the basic steps (Adavus) and one or two innovatory dance pieces. There is no age bar to learn something you love. History talks about great dancer Rukmini devi who started learning in her early 30’s. You are still young.
Hi Anjali,
I am 19 years old and I would like to learn bharatanatyam. Do you think it’s too late? I really don’t have much dance experience. Also it’s intimidating to be in a class with students much younger and more experienced than me, but I am really interested and excited at the prospect of learning. I viewed some of your youtube videos, and they’re just getting me more energized to do this. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and videos!
just to let know of a new service called similar, maybe you know already? In case not here is link
http://bharathamonline.com
Hi Anjali,
Kudos on your passion and service. Great website.
My daughter learns Barathanatyam and we are having a little argument on the 2 mudras for ’sadness’ and ‘being scared’. Which mudras are generally used for these two emotions.
Hello Dee, Thanks. There ‘n’ number of ways to denote bhava-Bhaya (sadness and fears). Few gestures that can be used in this context are Mrigashirsha, Pataka, Dola, Pasha.
Hi Anjali,
Like you, I have learnt Bharatnatyam from Madhuri Tai (Smt Madhuri KElkar, from kalyan, Maharashtra) tto. I did my Arangetaram under her guidance and under the guidance of her Guru, Shree Santhanamjee.
However I havent been able to stay in touch with this art form for the past 10 years. I am planning to revive it in me.
Any advice?
Cheers
–
Nandini
I am sure that having learnt under madhuri teacher, you may not have forgotten the basic adavus and the allarippu, kautukams and similar small items. What you would need is jatiswaram, tillana, padam, shabdams etc. I would recommend you to refer some cd’s and probably start learning by yourself. You could easily do that.
Thanks for the tips. Just that Madhuri Tai was enough a motivation for me to rehearse. Now I kindof have never found a reason to touch the ghungroos…But planning to start now.
Please do stay in touch.
Cheers
Hello Anjali!
I am a budding Bharatanatyam artist and my goals are to open up a new Baratanatyam school in NJ. Your website has refreshed and summarized all the years of arduous note-taking in from dance class years ago. I thank you for taking your time and helping others out in this wonderful art! This website truly shows your dedication to Bharatanatyam and your humbleness by sharing your knowledge with others. I really look up to you. Take care, keep it up and what an amazing website!
Best of luck in everything you do,
Gayathri
Hi Anjali,
I glad to know your online site with so detailed explaination in step with pics and videos. its very clear to understand and help to every body who is keen to learn detailed. I am also a student of Kalamandalam Sreejaya in Bangalore.
Please can you also include bharatanatyam songs used in arangetram, with the lyrics. which will be very use for learner like me to understand better.
Regards,
Sangeetha
hi Anjali
I have visited your site many time.Its really good medium for those
who want to learn bharatnatyam. I have learn many things from your site.
But now I want to know the process to be your student.
I want to learn bharatnatyam dance.
I checked your site… it is awesome…
Please tell me how can I join the online course…. and little more about mode of teaching…like video/text/conferencing…etc.
I couldn’t get much info about online teaching there…and fee structure of your course
Please do reply… and thanks in advance…
hai Anjali,
i’m very much intrested in learning this classic art. I know some basics like Tattadavu, Kattadavu etc, but never really got hold on further. I need your advice to how to go about from this point. Should i find a guru or is it fine with online lessons?
Hello Shikha,
Glad that this site is helping you. I have sent you mail asking a few details. will let you know about the classes then.
Hello Pratima,
I would say it works just like the regular classes. We meet online and the classes are held. I shall mail you with the details soon. Please fill up the form by visiting this link http://onlinebharatanatyam.com/online-classes/
This is a really good site as i wanted to brush up my memory of bharathanatyam. i learnt bharathanatyam close to 12 years, completed my senior and then caught up with my education, as well i do not have any song recordings with me so could not even practice. So this site is a real help to me . i just had to go through once and i could remember everything .Thanks once again.
Hi Anjali,
Its a request if you can upload any one of your performance… Like any dance item on Krishana or Lord Ganesha.
Its a request.
Tahnks
Soumya
Very soon I shall do it. Thanks
my daughter is learning bharathanatyam. she has completed her steps and just started dance. she cannot do that eye thing properly. and i think she is not that interested in dance or she cant follow it. i love dance. how can i make her interested. the the teacher has lot of students and is not getting personal attenbtion.
Neeta, She is a beginner. It will take time for her to be expressive. Probably when she starts learning the Abhinaya pieces, her teacher will teach them the eye techniques. Lot is based on your daughter’s interest and observation. She will only get better as she progresses.
thank u .
u’r decision is good. i learn bharathanatyam to tis website. one sec more thank u..
Dear Anjali,
I am planning to migrate to Indonesia and I have two daughters, one of them is 9.5 yrs and she has completed 4 yrs of Bharatanatyam. We are looking for some teacher in Jakarta, Indonesia and found one Ms. Janaki to be teaching there. Can I have her coordinates pls.
Regards
Suren Shetty, Mumbai, India (Mobile:+91-9769001800)
Hello Suren,
Thanks for your comments. Will definitly mail you regarding this.
Wow, I have seen ur dance in youtube.com
U r great.. is there a way to see more of ur videos.
We live in NC
How long does it take to learn bharathanatyam…
Thank u
hello.really liked the information you have provided.iam 20 years old.i have been learning bharathanatyam for 1 and a half years now.my guru teaches dance in her house.i want to know how long will it take for a person to do her arangetram?will a person be known as a dancer only if she does her arangetram?how can i find out if my guru can take me a long way in bharathanatyam?
Hello vaishnavi,
Our progress in dance largely depends on our passion and interest for the art form. A good teacher can show you the path, you have to walk the way. You must trust your guru with full faith. Rest will follow.
Regarding the arangetram, it depend on the student or how soon he/she gains angashuddi. Then the teacher decides.
Hi Ma’m,
I am Ammu. I’ve studied Bharatanatyam for 8 yrs. But unfortunately, i couldn’t complete it. I couldn’t continue the dance with only one Guru. I learned it from 4 different teachers & got different styles of bharatanatyam. Now I don’t have touch with the classic at all. I just do cinematic dances now. I want to continue my studies on bharatanatyam… I hope your website will help me. Your style is entirely different from mine but would like to catch yours. I am 19 yrs old. I’m afraid if it’s too late to learn the bharatanatyam. I would be pleased if I can get the video for Alarippu, shabdam, pushpanjali, jathiswaram & varnam. Thank you and all the best for your future.. God Bless You.
Hey Anjali,
I wrote earlier and still waiting for ur response.. Is there a website to look at good arangetram dances…
what is the order in which arangetram is done…and how many hours is that?
God bless you for all ur work.. I am ur fan….in youtube.com
Madam, I find your webpage as one of the very few active sites of Bharatanatyam. I am looking for good quotes on Bharatanatyam or classical dances. Can you help? Thanks in advance.
hello, i have watched many of your videos and they are simply GREAT!! i started learning Bharatanatyam when i was young then i moved country so i had to leave it and now i want to learn it again..and when i saw your Natta Adavu videos you had 13 variations.. is there any more variations for Natta Adavu??
Thanks Anjali for all the videos on you tube and just happened to see this site.
My daughter is 5 and with just one class a week, I am able to correct my daughter’s steps by watching your steps
Rgds
Sunita
I am very much interested in bharatanatyam from small. I am now 33. When I saw this site . I am very much happy. thanking you for creating this site and I am sure I can learn it completely. thank you.
hi anjali…
i have learned bharatanatyam for 2 years and i had to stop my classes because i went abroad to study..so now its been like 5 years i havent got involve with bharatham stuffs…not dancing or either classes….i am really interested in and looking forward to learn dancing back and i hope you can help me out….
-prathebba-
Pratheeba, i have mailed you the details of the classes.
I cannot put in words my appreciation towards your effort in making this website available with all the information and videos you put together. May god bless you Anjali.
Thanks Vinishri for the appreciation. God bless you.
Hari om,
I like to know what is the right age to start bharatnatyam.i started my 5yrs daughter bharatnatyam last 3months .What do you suggest.
Thanks,
Gita.,
Hari Om Gita, 5yrs is just fine to start off. Good luck!!
Hi Anjali… I am Pushpanjali…. 26 Yrs old… I always had a liking towards Bharathnatyam……. I also had been to classes for around 2 yrs when I was in my High school… but due tio some reason i had to quit it…. But I am interested to learn now also… Can u please guide me how to proceed…… Right now I am working in Chennai… But by August I will be back to my native and will be searching for a new job there. So I would like to utilize this period to begin learn dance also….. What would u like to suggest me….. Waiting for ur valuable suggestions……. Thanks in advance……..
Hi Anjali,
I am krithika Natarajan. I was a student of Padmasri Shobana Chandrakumar while I was in india. I gave a number of dance performances. Now I am in Swiss , Geneva. I have passion in teaching for begineers as well as advanced students in dance.
I congratulate you on your site. It is very interesting. As a dancer myself, I am able to appreciate your time and dedication in this field. Your videos would sure prove useful to everyone who is interested to learn classical dance.
Do Keep up with your good work. Keep in touch @ my email id
Thanks
Krithika
Hey Pushpanjali,
Currently you are in a place where you would find number of eminent dance gurus who can guide. Think of taking two months guidance from teachers there before you leave Chennai. Secondly where is your native? if you let me know that I can suggest teachers from my network.
Hi Karthika,
Thanks for the appreciation. Happy to know you have been a student of Padmashri Shobana. Will be in touch with you.
Hi Anjali,
It is actually difficult to go to classes in Chennai for me because of my working hours and more over i travel to my Native Bangalore every weekend……… So if u please suggest me in Bangalore to whom to contact for the classes it will of great help. And how about learning through online…… Shopuld i begin it learing with ur help online and then join???
Thanks
Dear anjali,
thanx for a gr8 site…I’ve learnt bharatnatyam for 6 yrs, howeevr due to my studies had to quit.I was unable to practice my craft for 10yrs now. I desperately need to brush my memory for all the syllabus and continue with the dance as I’ve not practiecd them for last 10 yrs now.I’m looking for a guru in thane,maharashtra. hope you could help me with the same…
thanx and keep up the good work.
Gauri
Hello, nice to meet you. We are interested in indian classical dances . may be you have disk DVD with your class. can we buy this disk and resive it by post.
Hey Gauri, thank you. I shall get back to you with some details soon.