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 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.

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, [...]

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 in it.
1. Pada-artha meaning the [...]

The following video demonstrates the fifth and the sixth variation of KudittaMetta. The Bols are Tai Gha, Tai Ghi.

Here is the sollukettu for KudittaMetta Adavu. The Bols are Tai Gha, Tai Ghi.

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Following is the Sollukettu for the twelfth variation. The Bols are Tai Tai dhit Dhit Tai Tam.

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