Namskaram !
My name is Anjali Nandan and ‘am currently in Plano,TX, USA. I have been learning Bharatanatyam from the age of 6. The learning has mostly been in Mumbai from late Smt. Madhuri Kelkar. I am a “Nritya Visharad” in Bharatnatyam from Bharatiya Sangeet Samiti.
I have got the good fortune to work along with Padmashri Smt. 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.
Apart from online lessons her school Natyam Academy in Plano, TX offers Bharatanatyam lessons to interested students in Dallas/Plano/ Frisco communities.
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!
Note (Updated Sep 21, 2009): Thanks for all the comments, suggestions and encouragement. I truly appreciate each of that. To enable a better format for our discussion, I have added forums to the website. Request you to discuss your questions and ideas there.
Hi Anjali,
Firstly, Let me thank you of this initiative of using modern technology in enabling another channel for enhancing the reach to those who love Bharatanatyam. I am no expert in this field but had a great appreciation of the richness this dance form brings to our culture. I am a male and in late 40s but do practice regularly Yoga. Recently I am feeling to leverage my yogic experience and see if it helps in getting myself started “atleast” in the basics of Bhatanatyam. Do you think if there is a chance for me to give it a try and experience this divine dance on my own rather than just observing others doing the dance. I also feel my regular yoga practice will enable me to keep a strong focus in learning this woderful danceform. Pls. advise
Ma’m,
We are in Saudi Arabia. My daughter is very much interested in dance. But we don’t have a Guru here, so we like to follow your dance steps videos. Is it correct Ma’m ?
Thank you
Hi anjali I’ve been learning about añitos barathanatyam, and I know a lot to learn, I learned also the Pushpanjali, but I have music and teachers do not want to give the music, I’ve seen you put a wonderful Pushpanjali on your site, as it could get, do not ask for much but if you think you could share with me. The truth always need videos, music and everything to keep learning, and always watch your videos I love, Thanks for sharing all that, blessings
@Raghu, It is never too late to learn. Just remember our body will not be as supple as a 20 yr old. Keeping that in mind will not let you down, when you see you are not able to jump around like the young dancers. It is a great exercise to keep you fit and relaxed.
Hi Anjali,Thanks a lot for this webpage.This is the best online bharatanatyam i ever seen..
Hello Anjali,
My daughter is 2.8 yrs old.She is interested in dance.I want her to learn bharatnatyam. I am not sure what is the right age for the same?Can u please advise me?
Your web page is very informative & thanks for the update. I am looking to buy some books on Bharathanatyam, can you please give some suggestions.
Once again thanks and keep up the good work
Dear Ms.Anjali,
I am 28 years old and would like to learn bharatnatyam. How long does it take to complete this dancing course and to be able to perform arengatram? Is my age is to old to learn this dance? Need your kind advise in this matter. TQ 🙂
@Thulasi, you can start learning any time . Atleast 4 yrs considering your age to finish one margam. Good age to start learning would at 6 or 7 yrs.
@Anne there are many books available on different topics. Can you elaborate on what you are looking for. Thank you
@pallavi, 5 or 6 would be a right age to start.
Hello, ur website is surely impressive and reveals massive efforts. I highly appreciate.
I am extremely thrilled to read ur guru latebSmt Madhuri Kelkars’ name. If its her from Kalyan, India, then even I am her student.
It was after a long time that I read her name and was extremely moved. I owe a Nirtya alankar degree to her. Hope to read from you.
regards and best wishes
@Tejaswini, Thank you. And yes she is from Kalyan. Glad to meet yet another Madhuri Tayee’s student. Will be touch.
hi Anjali mam, i have been learning bharatnatyam since 12 years but it is kalamandalam style, i want to learn one good item from you in your style as i have liked your style very much, please provide a good item with audio, or if any such thing is already there please provide the information.
Namaskar mam.
I am Prachi from Pune, i liked your attemp for our beautiful dance!its really great that you have created a website for all bharatnatyam devotees like me,i am giving my 3rd exam this december,that is Praveshika Purna,
It was great seeing you.
Thank you
hai, am maya ,dance is my passion, i learn dance since childhood, now am got married and staying in maharashtra with my my hus,so i cant attend dance classes .so this is very helpful to me ,now i started practicing, thank you so much.
Hi Anjali,
This site is very useful.thanks for providing such informative sites.i am 17 years old and I have started learning dance only now.
will i be able to do my arangetram
am maya this site is very helpful to me ,dance is my passion ,i learn dance since childhood, now igot married so cant continue my studies, after see this i started practicing, thank u very much
@Rajalakshmi, You will be able to, but for now your focus should only be on learning.
i am happyto see your work . it is very importentfor student
hi anjali,
I have learnt bharatanatyam till madhyama poorna before marriage, i want to continue learning, i want to perform arangetaram also. please suggest some gurus in pune. how is mrs. Geetha Sharma mam. also tell me how much it will cost for arangetaram in pune if we perform in group. and let me know when can i have my own dance class. is alankar necessary to grow in this feild?
Also suggest me some gurus from nalanda in pune. as my earlier guru was from nalanda.
@Madhavi, I am not aware to nalanda teachers in Pune. Those I have heard of are Sucheta Chaphekar, Parimal Phadke and Shashikala Ravi. You can spend any where from 30000 onwards depending upon the venue etc.
thanks for the information anjali mam.
Can you break down what traditional training was like? How many hours? What practices? Ect.
@Deena, If you are talking about the gurukulam style, where the student would actually live with the guru and spend most of their time understanding the subject. The student would also participate in daily chorus at the Guru’s house such as cleaning and cooking for the family. The student would perform them with an attitude of seva bhava. Student is almost like a family member. It is almost a full time learning. Not only Natyam, but the nuances of Rhythm and music were also taught.
Hi Anjalimam,
I am thankful to your wesite and your videos. I am 35 year old from Bangalore and have started taking bharatanatyam lessons last month along with my 5 year old. Your website is very informative and is a guide for both of us.
Because of my age factor I am not sure if I can be a good dancer, but i am interested in this and try to pratcice at home with the help of your videos. Does one need to practice daily? how many hours?
Once again thank you for your effort. Its of great help to me and my daughter.
Regds
Freda
hii anjali …i saw your allarippu learning….video….i am so interested…..in that …i want to get allaripu mp3 …plz provide allaripu audio in your web.
Respected Mam,
I respect you a lot.It was my dream to learn Bharatnatyam since my childhood.I am from Nainital ,this dance form is not much popular in that area.Now i am in Pune.Last year i saw your website ,then i started practicing.Now i can do all adavu’s taught by you.I am thankful to you mam.Can you please suggest GURU in pune area.I want to continue my dream..
Thanks
Meenakshi
Hi Anjali! I am from Greece and i really want to learn Bharatanatyam. Can you tell me how can i start right? I mean with wich video? Here in Greece its very difficult to learn a dance like Bharatanatyam because nowbody nows that! 🙁
@Alexandra, start as per the order you see in the index page under videos
@Meenakshi, You can check for Sucheta chaphekar, shashikala ravi , parimal phadke. They are known in pune.
Freda, Glad you have started to learn, Yes you might want to practice every day for atleast half an hour after some warm up exercises.
Thank you for this wonderful website Anjali. I have just started Bharatanatyam lessons. I find it very difficult stand in the Aradhamandal pose. My legs slope forward instead of to the sides. Will this change with practise , the other students who started with me don’t have a problem. Though they can’t hold the pose for long.
I am leaning Bharatanatyam and am going to appear for an exam very soon.Your website has been a great help!
Thank You!
Thank you!
I am learning Bharatanatyam and your website has been a great help!
Dear Anjali,
Nice to see you on web. I am very impressed for your effort.In present days nobody can try to give someone to others without any expectations. And your efforts is very appreciable to give without any cost.
I want to like make your friendship.Such a people very impressed to me. Please it’s my humble request , be a my friend. I am waiting for your reply.
I feel that god wants , we become a friend. I am a student of Bharat Natyam – 2 year.
With Love,
Jyotsana
Hi Anjali
I am father of 3 1/2 yrs. old baby girl. I can see my baby interest towards dance. Basically, we as a family not aware of all about dance.
Can you kindly suggest me how to move forward on this,
1. Do you want me to put my baby in Bharatanatyam classes.
2. If so, I stay in Bangalore, kindly suggest me to get a good guru for my baby ?
Regards
Ranjith Kumar S
I have just started to practice. It is easy to me to follow your informations and the basic steps. Hope that I will learn quickly.Thank you mam.
Dear Anjali,
I do not know abcd of dancing, recently came across your eye movement video which is exceptional and beautifully explained. I am sure this site will be a great source of information and learning for young dancers.
I sincerely appreciate your contribution towards young dancers.
Best Wishes,
Vivek
@Ranjith, I feel she is too young to start with a formal dance class. At home you guys can teach her some steps form the videos available and work with her. Make dance as play and fun. Also you can buy for her some Chelengai (bells), that might interest her more to move her legs and dance around. There are number of teachers around Bangalore. Check this link and hope fully you would find one in you locality.
http://www.narthaki.com/bhnatyam/bh1di.htm
My daughter is very much interested in Bharatanatyam and till recent past she went to dance school. At present place we dont have dance school, through online only we are able to provide training. Your video is helping us very lot. Thank :U:
Dear Anjali, the website is a great idea! I am not a dancer nor do I have any knowledge of the art-form, but I have a deep appreciation of what you people like you do! My feeling is that you should move to the next level in this sort of work so that real benefits would flow from your work. Here is something I am trying to attempt which may be useful to you! http://classicaldanceresearch.blogspot.com/2011/12/classical-dance-researchers-should-look.html
Hi Aunty! I never told you how much I loved this Website of yours! Beautiful and full of information! If you could call me. I sent you a mail just a few minutes ago. Thanks! And I am planning on learning a few dances from this website and maybe i can show them to you at Chinmaya mission one day 🙂
Hey Sumhita. Thank you. Sure , I will be glad to see you dance.
Thanx Anjali, Kindly let me know what is the right age to start of with ?
Hi Anjali garu,
its nice to see ur website regardings the things which we r searching in diff places….iam 25 yrs old and now iam learning bharatanatyum……before that learnt kuchupudi ….and because of some reasons i discontinued ,now i got a guru who is coming and teaching me dance…..but he not coming regularly and iam loosing my intrest what should i do to boost my intrest….give me a suggestion plz
I am 40 and want to lear Bharatnatyam with my daughter can i start at this age
Hi Ajali
I looked at your website oneday, when my daughter got nice scolding from guru and came with tears. I was looking a way to encourage and help her. And I saw your tip and comments. It is very informative and encouraging.
Thanks
Amal
Hi Anjali,
your description about every adavu and sorkattu is excellent. its very basic and easily understandable. as i am a classical dancer i can realize your hard effort on this website. great job.
Best wishes..
Dhiviya