The word Korvai means to compile, join or thread together. Korvais are adavus when set to a particular Talam (Rhythm) and Kalam (speed) and usually concludes with a Theermanam. Dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai says “If we consider ‘Adavus’ as beads, ‘ Talam’  is the thread and ‘ Theermanam’ is the final knot we tie to finish [...]

Mandi in some Indian languages refers to area around the thigh and knee. In some instance we can refer it to a bent knee. Eg: Araimandi is where the knee is half bent. Muzumandi or poorna mandala is where the knee is fully bent.
In mandi adavus we make use of the Muzumadi position often. Steps [...]

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 [...]

The Mishra Jati 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 toes for [...]

A Jati 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 Jatis. Every jati is denoted by a set of syllables. They are:
The Tishra, [...]

The following is the sollukettu for sutral adavu. The Bols are Tat Tai Tam Dhit Tai Tam.

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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.