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.
Nice service in classical field.keep it up…
Nice service in classical field.keep it up…May God bless…
hello mam
alisha from ludhiana i love the dance but due to studies not got much time to explore the dance thanku so much for these kind of wonderful videos
started today but only able to complete Tatta Adavu part
give me your best wishes so i could complete all the parts and learn a little of bharatnatyam
thank you so much
regards
Alisha
Hi iam mansi from gandhidham(gujarat) i m madly passionate for bharatnatyam. I wanted to do PH.d on bharatnatyam. Is it compulsary to choose arts stream after 10th for PH.d on bharatnatyam? I wanted to choose science stream after 10th and how many years did the study of PH.d on bharatnatyam takes?
hai anjali nandan ……your attempt is realy useful and appreciable..is this tanjore bani ?
My daughter is 5 yrs old, she likes dancing and shows interest in classical as well as mordern dance. I want to start a formal training for her however not sure which dance form to choose, I mean does it really matter that I choose kathak or Bharatnatyam for her I know you might say that it’s your personal choice but the problem is I’m not a dancer I don’t understand the difference between the two forms and may be I end up picking the form which is easily available to me for my daughter(like somebody teaching in near by area). Am I giving too much importance to this, should I just go for any form which is easily available. I really need some advice I don’t have any friends or family who is into classical dance. Thanks a lot in advance
i want to learn bharatanatya. So please provide me vedios of dances from the begining.
Hello there..i was wondering if there is a specific order in a dance demonstration..for instance, do we begin with an “anjali” followed by alarippu, then a kauthuvam..if you can kindly advice
hi mam nice to meet you iam interest in barathanatyam
Guru Anjali, namaskar
i am really greatful to you to give us a chance to learn Bharatnatyam from begining
i want to learn some performing items on stage. i am preparing for vishrad but here in mumbai all gurus are busy with there own programmes i want to build up my self as an performer …….so i want some kautuvam,stuthi,shloks which ebsite can give pure form of classical bharatnatym’s song?
Hi, my daughter is 4 years old, she is very interested in dance and we have enrolled her in barathanatyam class. I keep receiving discouraging comments about putting her in dance class at this very young age from family and some friends. She goes for the class only once a week, and is very interested in it. Is it not advisable to dance at this age? please help me.
SIMPLE STEPS WITH HUBLE LESSONS
Hi Anjali,
I started bharathanatyam from childhood and i am a professional dancer and acted in few malayalam and tamil movies. I wanted to pursue my career in dance and require a degree certificate for that.
Could you please help me with your valuable advice to acheive it.
Thanks,
Hari
Hi,
I am approaching 70 and have just had the ‘all clear’ to re commence Bharatanatyam. I first studied for three or four years when in my late twenties in Zambia with Balasundari (Thanga) whilst l also introduced her little girl to European Ballet. Wasn’t sure whether to have another go but l did love it so much and finally have time – no music but all my notes and now l have you. Oh, and by the way, to the lady with a four year old, – l began classical dance at four. Yes, good time to begin. Thanks
@Charmain, glad you have found this website helpful. Interesting to know your ventures with Bharatanatyam. Feel free to share your experiences with us learning in Zambia and still practicing at 70.
@Rakhi, there are colleges like Kalai kaveri and shastra who offer distance education programs in Bharatanatyam. That should help you take a degree.
http://www.kalaikavirifinearts.com/distance_education_programme.php
http://www.sastra.edu/downloads/News/2013/oct/2.2014%20BFA%20&%20MFA%20Application%20&%20Prospectus.pdf
Hope this should help.
Resp. madam,
My mother knows b.n. dance. But she is in India and I am staying in canada with my papa. I also have completed six years of b.n. when I was in Gujarat, India. For more understanding your site is very useful to me. I cannot express my happiness. I request you to keep the photos of bandhav hastawith sloka and varna hasta with sloka please.
Thanks a lot.
Namskar from Treta. (I am of 17)
I WANT SOME SUGGETIONS BY YOU…
Hi there
I have a website related to healthy eating, nutrition and fitness and I am interested in buying a link on your site.
Are you interested in something like this?
If so, please let me know your price, etc
By the way, nice site! 🙂
Hope to hear from you.
Thanks
Ellen
Hi Anjaliji:
I am an avid admirer of both Carnatic music & dance forms. And
a bit of a ‘writer’ in my own right.
Would you be kind to let me visit you, while you are teaching
an active class? — I mean, in a ‘live’ class room setting!
Thanks, //GOPAL//
My daughter is appearing for 5th exam in Bharatnatyam tomorrow i.e. on 30th March 2014. I have a query that is apprearance marks are given. She dances well and knows all the steps and also orally.
She has to wear white kurta pyjama and red dupatta. I dress her, make plates, decorating with gajras and also wear her bangles, , earing and necklace. Is any marks for this
AT THE AGE OF 28 YEARS I HAVE DECIDED TO ACHIEVE SOME THING IN MY LIFE SO CHOOSEN CLASSICAL FIELD. I COULDNOT FULFILL MY DESIRES IN CHILDHOOD BCOZ I DIDNT LIKE TO GO AGAINST TO MY PARENTS WORDS .SO CURRENTLY I AM LEARNING CLASSICAL DANCE. I AM DOING JOB AND NEED IT TO TAKE CARE OF MY PARENTS . BUT MY JOB ONLY DOESNT GIVE ME FULL SATISFACTION . BCOZ I AM INTRESTED IN CULTUREL FIELD AND I WANTED TO CREATE MY DIFFERENT IDENTITY IN TAT. AS A GUY AT THIS AGE LEARNING CLASSICAL S VERY STRANGE THING IN OUR PLACE . POSSIBLE OR NOT TO MAKE MY DREAMS COME TRUE THAT I DONT KNOW. BUT I AM WORKING HARD FOR TAT. I L DO DAILY PRACTICE . I AM LACKING IN SPEED WHEN I PRACTICE ANY STEP AND I AM NOT GETTING HEAD AND EYE MOVEMENTS AT ALL.SO I WANT UR BLESSING TOO PLZ. AND SAY FEW WORDS REGARDING MY WORDS…
Hi Anjali,
Thank you very much for the wonderful teaching.. Because of your step by step and very patience teaching, I got full confidence to develop my Classical Dance skills even in my 30s Age..
One doubt.. I do not find 3rd Part of Mandi Adavu in You Tube. Kindly help me on this,.
Thank you in advance.
Best Regards,
Shuba
Hi anjali,
Thanks a lot for the uploaded videos which are easily able to understand me like new learners & 30s… Kindly help me the You Tube link for Part 3 Mandi Adavu as I do not find it.. Or Please suggest me where I can get your Beginners CD/DVD in chennai to learn all Adavus..
Thanking You.
Best Regards,
Shubha
Thanks so much for a wonderful website! I often recommend it to my students and just love how you have put so much information on here!!
hey I wish to learn Bharatnatyam since childhood.. But I have breathing prob.. What do you think? Will it be hurdle while learning Bharatnatyam?
Anjali, This is a great website. I was googling about bharatanatyam classes for adults and chanced upon this site. Are you still at Plano? I am a 41-yr old and would like to learn. Never danced all my life. Do you offer classes? Thanks for the great website and I will keep looking for a teacher. BTW, if you have any references for a teacher in the area, I would be happy.
Hi Anjali
My only daughter is 8 yrs old and we are from Calcutta (India) and she is learning Bharatnataym from one local dance school under Tanjore Gharana, Can I enroll her on online classes, What are the procedure for the same. waiting for your response at my above mail id.
rgds
Debanshu.
+91 9830406377
@Aparna, Thank you. Yes I am in Plano. Have messaged you in case you are interested in classes.
Hi Anjali this is a fantastic effort and I’m using your videos to help my four yr old with her practices. Do you have an app as well?
Namaste madam,
i started learning bharatanatyam when i was in 4 years now i am 15 years old.i passed karnataka board dance junior & senior exam in first class.now i complete succesfully my 10 std (2014)in 77%.i am interested in taking dance courses in corresspondence including my college(PUC COMMERCE) education. please guide me that how can i take the courses?immediately
i am a5th year pass out in bharatnatyamfrom chandigarh board…i am 41 year old … i liked your website….
@Swathi, there are a couple colleges I know offer the distance course. I know some who are learning here.Look for details the links below:
http://www.kalaikavirifinearts.com/off_compus_degree.php
http://www.sastra.edu/downloads/News/2013/Mar/Application%20NRI%202013%20MFA.pdf
There may be many other colleges that I am not aware. Do your research.
Nice , Actually i learned a lot from you. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful performance and teaching notes.
Hello Anjali,
I have recently joined 5 year old my daughter in Bharatanatyam classes in Hyderabad, India. I would like to know, if there is any DVD or CD which can teach basics steps of Bharatanatyam that will help my daughter to learn and understand the basics. Please let me know where can i get the DVD or CD.
Regards
Krishna
I really liked the basics you have tought us so far but I request you to post bharatnatyam steps for nice songs. Thank you mam
I absolutely loved your website.. I am mother of 6 years old and wanted to learn it but were not able to find and classes and few which i found were too expensive. I can’t appreciate enough how beautifully you are giving knowledge to everyone.. Only one question i have is which style you teach? is it kalashetra?
Anjali I red your words about Nritya, great effort!
I think that it would be right to contact Dr. Madhurima, General Secretary, International Theater, establishing a Theater Academy in India.
Her Contact No. is: +91-931 340 2744
Regards & Best Wishes…
S. N. Padhaan
Editor & Writer (Law)
Ma’am,today is gurupurnima. I consider you as my guruji. So, I am giving you hearty respectation from the core of my heart.
i have just joined bharata natyam classes, and i am so excited !!!
i am in my late 20s, and working and attend my classes on sat and sundays… can you tell me how many hours of practice is needed for a beginner, and the very important adavus that should be known
hi, i just wanted to say thank you for sharing your expertise and videos. Your videos have really helped me develop my love for dance. I am Pakistani and have always wanted to learn Bharatnatyam. I’m glad you said age is not a factor. thank you so much 🙂
warm regards.
hi, I just wanted to thank you for sharing your expertise and passion for dance with us. I am Pakistani and have always wanted to learn this dance but did not have the opportunity. I am now in my early 20s and so I was glad you said that age is not a factor. thank you again so much! people like you make the world a brighter place. warm regards!
do you provide online teaching bharatnatyam exam wise and also take exams …or if you arrange for exams somehow at centres ….please plz plz tell me yes if it is possible…i had already given 1st exam of bharatnatyam …but after marriage …there are no classes available at my place..and i really really want to learn it….
Is Bharathanatyam necessary to be learned in early ages such as 4 or we can learn it at 14 or 15 or 16… I feel confused about it .. ur practical lessons are useful for me to learn basics of Bharathanatyam..
Hello madam,i want your dvds full courses of bharatanatyam.plz sent me how to i get that,
Is doing Bharatanatyam there is a impact on height? , my daughter is 6 yrs old she stared it, so she will grow in same away as other children from her age,or there is less growth?
hi am shirisha.i hav learnt bharatnayam from shri.n.suvarnalatha who is a student of adiyaar laxman,kalakshetra.unfortunately i dropped it midway n would to u practice it again .hope your website will help me do that.
I have completed junior examination in bharathanatyam,due to some problems i discontinued,can i rejoin now?if yes should i learn from basics or can i continue for next level