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.
Chayya, here are some a mudras explained:
http://onlinebharatanatyam.com/2008/01/03/asamyukta-hasta-or-single-hand-gesture
http://onlinebharatanatyam.com/2008/02/28/samayukta-hastas-or-double-hand-gestures-in-bharatanatyam
Currently I am not ready with any narrations recorded. There are Dvd’s available check with kalakendra . com
hi, i’m gowri from Canada. Since your an great dancer which i have seen i believe that you know about the theory part to dance.
If you ma help me i would like to get some notes on the 7 kinds of TANDAVAS.
Thank You
Hey. I just started learning the dance. MY teacher told me that i have to say somethin after i finish the sixth or seventh step of Tatta Adavu. But i really don’t remember what she said. She said it meant standing still. It was somethin like tha ki ta ki
Dear Anjali,
While I was searching if it was possible to learn Bharatnatyam online, luckily I came across your site 🙂 Was surprised to find lucid explanation with videos. Thank you soo much. I have started to learn and practice as explained.
Thanks a lot,
bramhyai
You teach an online course? I mean besides posting vids on youtube?
I’ve found your letter.Thank you so much!I’m not sure you’ll read my letter but if you do,please ,give me an advice!My friend has been learning Bharatanyan.I think that in her past life she lived in India.She’s gifted.Where should we send a letter or maybe videomaterial with her dances.
Your reply will be appreciated!Thank you in advance!
Hey Olga, I would first like to see her videos and then comment on this. Upload it on site like youtube, daily motion etc. Let me know.
Yes, Ashely I take online personal lessons apart from the videos. All you need is a computer, cam and a mic.
Wonderful Site, great job
Dear Anjali
I have recently recolecting basic adavus in bharatnatyam which I learnt in school days . I have learnt almost 7 years this dance style..as I was obesrving your videos..I was continiously thinking that your perfection in movements is matching to my guru..and guess what !!!!!!!!!!!!! we have learnt from same teacher Madhuri kelkar…I am from kalyan where she used to conduct classes…due to poor economical situation she gave me and my sister some concession during that time and we could learn…she was a great teacher although I never seen her performing..do you have her any clip or recording ?..I reside in Zurich and I am conducting a group where we practice Folk dances in our capacity and I am also taking opportunity to practice bharatnatyam I have learnt……………………I am soooooooooooo happy to know that you are student of madhuritai…
bye kirtimalini gadre
Dear Kirtimalini, happy to know that you are madhuri tai’s student. Madhuri teacher was a perfectionist. I have never seen her perform as well. I would be glad if you could share her photos if you have them. Wishing you all the best with your work in Zurich.
Hi!
Thanks very much for all this useful information. I started Bharatanatyam in Paris, France a bit more than one month ago and your website is really great to help me practicing things I learn during my class. What an amazing amount of precious details. Thanks again.
I’m glad I found this site ^_^. I’ve just recently become interested in learning this dance form. Do you have any advice for practice of the hand gestures? Some of them feel awkward because my hands are unused to the movements, do you have any stretches that you would recommend?
Hi Anjalichechy
I’m Bibi…. from Swiss… I saw ur video and I find out that ur a mallu…. Are u?… Well I’m a mallu… Anyway now I’m a Student of urs… And pls don’t stop this…. Keep doing it…. And thanx a lot!!!!
hi Anjali, i really like your attempt to help people learn the great art of bharatnatyam online. i have been searching for a guru since quite sumtime now, there is an ancient saying that when the student is ready, the guru will appear. well,lets see.
Hello Anjali,
I would like to know the lyrics of each steps for beginners. Can you guide me on this. Is there any books like vocal music books for beginners for dance? Please advise.
Thanks/Shankar
The syllables or the lyrics are given in the Index page under the audio section. Please check. Thank you.
Hi:
Can you please recommend me good bharatnatyam dance teachers or instituions in Mumbai? I have no clue regarding Mumbai, neither I have friends nor family there. But I will be moving to Mumbai in coming months. So can you please refer me some teachers/institution names? My duaghter has been learning Bharatanatyam for the past 4 years. Long story short, I am moving from USA to Mumbai. Appreciate your help!!! Thanks
Hi lakshmi,
Mumbai is pretty big. If you could specify which place you will be in I can help you.
i live in NZ, since we moved here i have struggled to get a good teacher for my daughters, they both learnt dance intermittently, now i am pleased to find out a suitable dance teacher who can teach online. i am looking forward to continuing their lessons. i am really thrilled.
Dear Anjai
Am happy to see ur blog and ur doing a great work.
I have learnt Bharatnatyam till jathies and this happened 15 years back. In between i was busy with studied and then job etc. Now i want to practice my dance what i learned. Ur dance videos gave me a good remembrance and i want to extend my thanks to u.
I looking for auido songs where i can download from online. Can u provied me vinayaka kouthuvam song since am planning to start with that. Once again thanks a lot.
Cheers
Kalyani
Dear kalyani. Thank you for the kind words. happy that you are able to practice. Check kalakendra’s option of Mp3 download where you will get vinayaka kautukam. There are a number of versions of vinayaka kautukam sung on Youtube. That will help.
Hi Anjali,
I have been dancing since I was 7 years old and am now 32 years old. I stopped dancing in between for some years and have lost some choreographies too. Could you send or add on utube dances like alaripu ( tishra and mishra)and jatishwaram and more dances please.
Also I’m presently based at Bangkok. Do let me know if you have any dance performances here. I would like to be a part of it. I have been dancing for a very long time and have a flair for it.
I’m just amazed and awestruck at your dedication and care in creating this wonderful website. I was learning Kalakshetra style of dance for many years and discontinued several years back due to lack of time (now I’m in my second year of college), and planning to continue again (hopefully!). You are such a beautiful dancer! Do you give performances (sorry my question mark key doesn’t work!) 🙂
Hello Anjali,
Your site is very helpful. Thanks for helping us aspiring dancers. I used to learn bharatanatyam when I was young for about 3 years. I am now 30 and haven’t kept in touch with dance. However, I am now trying to learning it again. I have just gotten to the thattadavus and the nattadavus. One thing I have noticed is my knee hurts quite a bit after practise – especially the 2 inch area immediately above the knee. Sitting in mulumandi is extremely painful. I am not sure if I am doing something wrong when practicing or if this is just starting pains that go away as I practice more. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.
-Srividya.
Dear Srividya, I guess its the pain that beginners have. Probably doing a suryanamaskar daily would be helpful. And start your practice with some simple warm up exercises. It must subside as you get used to it. check the forum here http://onlinebharatanatyam.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13
questioning balance? unbelieveable:
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=68752
What a source of inspiration!!! Thanks Nigama
Hi mam im sobiha,i have completed my dance in india. Currently im in canada, i want to start dance class here, but they r saying that i have to take grades or something like tat,,Please give me some information related to that.
@sobiha, Do they mean you need to have some certification?
Dear Anjali,
I am so glad i ran into your website.It is an excellent contribution to all dance lovers.I myself had been trained in bharatnatyam for almost 10 yrs .Unfortunately i do not have the classical songs to practice bharatanatyam.iam currenlty residing in Texas.It was so refreshing to see your video tutorials.I was wondering if you could also do some dance video tutorials on Alaripu,thodayam ,Jathishwaram etc. I would be really grateful If you could do them too and also could you tell me where i could find audio for those classical dances like that of Alaripu,thodayam,jathishwaram, padam ,varnam ,Thillana etc
Thankyou so much and i wish you all the very best in this venture of spreading and educating the great jewel of indian arts – Bharatanatyam.
not a certification……i have a certificate from india that i have completed my bharathanatyam..but they were asking about grades if i complete 8 grades in canada i can become a teacher,but each grades take one year,so its a long period.
when can become bharathanatyam teacher for the students?
how many year it will take to become teacher?
@Zenitha, Thank you . I am in the process of making the videos further, so stay tuned. Try Kalakriya or kalakendra websites for audios and videos. This website managed by giri trading can also give you options to download songs http://www.addkiosk.in/
@sobiha, I am not aware of the canadian grade system. Post it on the forums, may be somebody can help you.
@Indra, when ever you feel you are confident to teach. As a teacher I am still learning, so learning never ends.
Hi Anjali,
Thanks for putting together such a wonderful website. The other websites that you have directed us to are also very useful, specially the “dancingforthegods.org” where I have also registered.
I have always wanted to learn Bharatanatyam but didn’t have an opportunity when I was younger. But like they say, better late than never !
I am trying to follow your lessons on youtube and teach myself.
Best,
Shilpa
Hi Anjali
Nice work! I really appreciate.
Keep going….
Regards,
Swapna
Thanks for your effort…..I have continued to dance bcoz of you although I couldnt catch up with my bharatham classes as i have been posted very far away from home and nooneduct classes here. I have got a house and converted a space for my dance…my laptop will be on and i will practise…..thanks a bunch….I really appreciate it.
My little batiji Anjali anjali anjali….good good good….
nice to see your blog…happy happy happy….wish you all the sucess in your career…..
Regards and love from sath samundar par….
Chacha…..
Hi Anjali,
Thank you for offering all this information on the Internet.
I started learning Bharatnatyam when I was over 30 as well. From all the dance styles I have ever tried out I find Bharatanatyam the most fascinating. It has a positive effect on mind and mood. I might be depressed one morning going to class, but then I just dance a complicated adavu, and my mind focuses and my spirit is uplifted.
I was wondering if there are any resources about Bharatnatyam and neuroscience, because I never felt this effect so strongly in other (mostly Western) dance styles.
Another question I had was if you also teach dances like the Alarippu, Jathiswaram, Stotram etc.?
And last but not least, is there a dance school where I could learn Bharatnatyam in an intensive course from morning till evening for about a month or two? At the moment I’m living in the UK but am able to travel for the next 2 months…
With regards,
Daniela
you should also work on some more old devotional and spiritual of the great spiritual country THAT IS HINDUSTAN(INDIA). I have started to learn it. but i want more stuff. Many Many thanks for ur hard work, I really appreciate, Try to open anacdemy in Usa. I also live in usa, at connecticut.
Jai Hind
Hi Anjali,
I learnt Bharatanatyam for over 10 years but could not do my arangetram. Its been 7 years since I left the dance form. I am based in Mumbai and want to start learning again. But considering I’ve done the entire course it might be a waste if I have to learn all over again. How would you advise me start again? Could you connect me with teachers in Mumbai who would be able to help me?
You are doing a great job, keep up the good work!!
Best,
Anita
Hi Mam,
I am Usha,
Really information you gave is very helpful for the learners…
Mam i have some question,when can we do arangetram?how many years it will take to go for arengetram?what are the dances to learn for arengetram?till now i learned allaripu,jathiswaram,thillana,pushpanjali and some devarnamas,still how many daneses i need to learn?….Waiting for your reply ..
@Daniela, I feel if your heart is into your action, peace and joy is the experience. Nice to know you have found your peace in dance. I do teach the intermediate and advanced dance pieces you have mentioned in the online classes I offer. But the blog moves gradually and will be updated. check this link http://www.bharatakalaanjali.org/ievents.html. If I get some more details I shall update it here.
@Anand, Thanks for the feedback.
@Anitha where in Mumbai are you, so that I can give some one close to your locality.
@Usha, Bharatantyam Arangetram repertoire (margam) consists of allarippu, jatiswaram, Shabdam, padam, varam and Tillana. It is said the dancer should aleast know more than one margam before arangetram. Your teacher is the right person to decide about your arangetram. Atleast 5 years of training is required. Usha learning never ends. It is a journey to enjoy and not a destination
Hi I want to know who will teach Kalakshetra style of bharatnatyam @ Dubai . I am 27yrs old. just came to UAE 2months back searching for a new job. please do comtact me.
Regards
Dushyanth
Halo,
Myself Chhaya. I am 30 years old residing in Kothrud, Pune. I am looking for guru for Bharatnatyam. Can you suggest me a guru who will teach me the true spirit of Bharatnatyam. It’s my passion. It’s worship for me. I liked basic information you provided.
Thank you.
@ Chhaya,You can contact Mrs Suchheta chapekar http://www.kalavardhini.org/ or Mr parimal phadke http://www.parimalphadke.com/Profile_Frameset.htm. They are wonderful performers and teachers.
Namaste,
This is mani chowdary from Andhra pradesh,now working in Noida as software engineer.Is it possible to learn Bharata natyam online…please suggest
thanks Anjali madam for sharing your knownedge of dance Steps/knowledge.
hi i very much thankfull to u for providing this oppurtunity..now i like to learn bharatanatyam..is there any cd to learn from basics?..will u upload any item performance?
Thank you Brinda, I shall be starting such a segment soon.