Let us explore on Adavus a little more. The word “Adavu” means basic step. Adavus forms the ABC’s of pure dancing(Nritta) in bharatanatyam. Just like a combination of alphabets give words and thereafter sentences, adavus are combined to form a dance sequence in Bharatanatyam.
An Adavu is the combination of:
- Position of the legs (Sthanakam)
- Posture of our standing (Mandalam)
- Walking movement (Chari)
- Hand gestures (nritta hastas)
All the four done in synchronization with Rhythm or Tala is ADAVU. Every Adavu will have certain number of steps and would have a BOL or Sollukattu or syllable like “Tai Ya- Tai Hi”.
Following are the Ten important Adavus that a new student is asked to practice thoroughly:
- Tatta Adavu
- Natta Adavu
- Visharu Adavu (Mardita Adavu or Paraval Adavu)
- TattimittiAdavu
- Tirumanam Adavu
- Murka Adavu
- Jati Adavu
- Kuditamitta Adavu
- Mandi Adavu
- Sarikal Adavu
Some parents and students have often asked me why should we learn these steps and not the dance directly?
A child when starts schooling , learns the alphabets first. Imagine if they were taught words directly!!!
Learning just the adavus and practicing them for a while helps the students to :
1. to develop flexibility and overcome the initial muscle cramps and sore feet at the beginning stages.
2. attain right posture
3. develop stamina
4. become aware to the sense of Talam (Rhythm) and kalam (speed)
5. become Swift and agile and attain control over the body.
Generally During the first year of Bharatanatyam coaching, a student is trained only in Adavus, and Nritta Hasta or Hand Gestures. Gaining perfection over Adavus is the most important.
I shall describe about TATTA Adavu in my next post.
Do you teach grade 5 syllabus
This is truely an amazing website. Your language of description is so clear and your use of animation and video makes this the most comprehensive site I have come across!
Respected mam,
thank you so much for your guidance…..
please keep on postiing , so that my basics can be solid perfect…..please post every details you now as i am majorly watching it and learning, THANK YOU SO MUCH…
Hi angali, I am a dance student and I must check the meaning of these items please tell me what is the meaning of nirutham, niruthiyam and korvai ?
Hi, Anjali ma’am I m very lucky that I saw your videos and knew about you.You are really amazing. Thanks for your videos.
Could you pls tell me the sollukattus of all the adavus
i like it
This is not exactly as how i learned bharatanatyam in my old batch. But this is very informative thanks.!
Thank you for this
hi mam after the 10 aduvus which s the next form
Hi Anjali,I am also a classical dancer. Kudos to your great work! Very neat explanation of adavus and the basic concepts. Keep doing this wonderful job!
Hi, Anjali thank you
Can u pls tell me the meaning of the adavus itself
Hi, when should we learn the sutral adavu? It’s not mentioned above in the basics of bharatnatyam. Which level is it considered?
Murka Adavu is Sutral adavu
i got anwser
Where is “thei thei thath dha dhith thei thath dha” & “Dith theyum tha tha thei”adavu ?
Good
Sarukkal Adavu a Syllables: Tai hath- dhit tai Hastas used: Pathakam, Katakamukham, Alapadmam and Mrigashirsham
So helpful
Mam this was very helpful..
But can you tell that which adavus are of 1st year, and which are of second year???
Pls.. mam
Beautiful Explaination . Loved it