Head movements are also called Shirobheda. Shira or shirasa meaning ” Head” in sanskrit. The head  movements refer to the head positions, while expressing a particular bhava. There are Nine head movements. Sama : The head kept straight Udvahitam : Head Looking upwards Adhomukham : Looking Down Alolitam: Circular Movement of the head Dhutam: Right […]

The word Alarippu means “a flowering bud.” It is an innovatory piece meaning it is performed before a dancer begins a whole performance. It is considered to be a warm up piece for the dancers. According to T. Balasraswati “Alarippu, which is based on rhythm alone, brings out the special charm of pure dance. The […]

The word Korvai means to compile, join or thread together. Korvais are adavus when set to a particular Talam (Rhythm) and Kalam (speed) and usually concludes with a Theermanam. Dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai says “If we consider ‘Adavus’ as beads, ‘ Talam’  is the thread and ‘ Theermanam’ is the final knot we tie to finish […]

Here is yet another variation to mandi adavu. This is done 100 percent in purna mandi. Dancer would first jump in purna mandi. Then jump and place the right/ left  knee on the floor. Such a posture, where one knee rests on the floor is called Parshvasuci. The hands are in Tripataka hasta held in Natyarambhe. […]

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. […]

The first variation uses the Shikhara and pataka hand gesture. Begin the step with a jump down to the Muzumandi mandi position. Hands in Shikahra hasta. Say Ta Ka. Then rise up facing the left. Left leg bent and right leg stretched back on the toes. Left hand in Shikara and right hand in Pataka […]

The Mishra Jaati 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.

This video demonstrates the Chatushra Jati and Khanda Jati. Chatushra Jati has 3 syllables (beats) Ta Ka Dhi Mi. Khanda Jati has 5 syllables (beats) Ta Ka Taa Ki Ta. Chatushra Jati can be done in two ways. 1. As we begin with the right side, tap your leg once and raise it on the […]

A Jaati 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 Jaatis. Every jaati is denoted by a set of syllables. They are: The […]

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 […]