The first variation uses the Shikhara and pataka hand gesture. Begin the step with a jump down to the Muzumandi mandi position. Hands in Shikahra hasta. Say Ta Ka. Then rise up facing the left. Left leg bent and right leg stretched back on the toes. Left hand in Shikara and right hand in Pataka [...]

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The Mishra Jaati and the Sankeerna jati is demonstrated here. Mishra has 7 beats Ta Ki Ta Ta Ka Dhi Mi. Sankeerna has 9 beat Ta Ka Dhi Mi Ta Ka Ta Ki Ta.

This video demonstrates the Chatushra Jati and Khanda Jati. Chatushra Jati has 3 syllables (beats) Ta Ka Dhi Mi. Khanda Jati has 5 syllables (beats) Ta Ka Taa Ki Ta. Chatushra Jati can be done in two ways. 1. As we begin with the right side, tap your leg once and raise it on the [...]

A Jaati is a pattern that  gives us the basic feel of a Thalam. Read the article Tala System to get a hang of how it works. What you need to understand as a beginner of Bharatanatyam is that there are five Jaatis. Every jaati is denoted by a set of syllables. They are: The [...]

The following is the sollukettu for sutral adavu. The Bols are Tat Tai Tam Dhit Tai Tam. If you would like to download this audio, right click here and save to computer

This step incorporates a number of leg position and movements in it. For example we begin with the Araimandi, move on to the full sitting posture (muzumandi or purna mandala) and finally end in the Stanaka position. Other position used are the prerita and Alidha. The Bols are Tat Tai Tam Dhit Tai Tam which [...]

The Third variation is an extension of the second variation. I have seen this step being done in different ways. So I have also tried to explain the varieties seen in this step. The Bols are Tat Tai Tam, Dhit Tai Tam, which is sung twice on each side. The first part of the video [...]

The following is the video of first variation in sutral adavu. The Bols are Tat Tai Tam, Dhit Tai Tam. Since this step has two parts, two sets of Tat Tai Tam Dhit Tai Tam would complete one side.

Recently one of my readers had asked about the following concepts. 1. Pada-artha 2. Vakya-artha 3. Sanchari Thought I shall do a posting on this. They form an important part of Nritya and Natya. Often considered when Abhinaya dance pieces like Padam or a varnam is being choreographed. Every padam or varnam has the above concepts [...]