Why and How Bharatanatyam ?

When I was studying 6th standard my senior was welcoming the gathering by her Bharatanatyam performance. It was when I wish to join the dance class. I was attracted by her costumes., then the way she danced and expressed.

     At the same month, I join the same dance class. There are many dance forms before joining the Bharatanatyam class. I was performing folk and western dance in my school.

    My first experience in Bharatanatyam class was awesome. My teacher taught me the basic steps. There are totally twelve basic adavus in Tanjore style they are: Thattadavu,naattadavu,thattimett adavu,magudadavu,marthithadavu,kuthadavu,gudhithu mettadavu,korvaiadavu,mandiadavu,sarukkal adavu ,sillarai adavu,paaichal adavu.

·         Thattadavu- There are eight steps in this adavu "thaiya thai" is the jati of this adavu

·         Naatadavu- This adavu is also contained eight steps "thaiyum thattha thaiyum thaa ha" is the jati of this adavu

·         Thattimettadavu-This adavu consists of five steps which are also known as "Pancha nadai"

Jati: 

                                  i.      Thaka thimi  - chathusram(4)

                                 ii.      Thakida   - Tisram(4)

                                iii.      Thaka thimi thakida - Misram(7)

                                iv.      Thaka thakita  - kandam(5)

                                  v.      Thaka thimi thaka thakita  - san keernam(9)

v  Magudadavu- This adavu has four steps and this poses two sets. The leg movements are same for the two steps but the hand movements are different "thi dhith thai" is the jati of this adavu this is also called "theermana adavu".

v  Marthitha adavu- This adavu have eight steps "tha thai thai tha,dhith thai thai tha" is the jati of this adavu this is also called"paraval adavu".

v  Kuthadavu- This adavu consists of two sets and each set possess three steps.No major difference is there for these two sets. It will be easy while practicing "thatti thai tha ha,thidh thai tha ha "is the jati of this adavu.

v  Gudhithu mettadavu- This adavu consists of eight steps. This is the easiest step which everyone(non-dancer) can also do perfect"thai ha thai hi" is the jati of this step.

v  korvai adavu-"Thath thai tham,thith thai tham" is the jati of this adavu, this adavu contains three steps.

v  Mandi adavu-"tham thithaam,thai thathai" is the jati of this adavu. mulu mandi(full sitting) is the position of this step.

v  Sarukkal adavu-"thangudu thatha dhinna" is the jati of this adavu .knee is more commonly used part of a body to perform this step.

v  Paaichal adavu-"Thai tha tham,thai thai tham" is the jati of this device. this adavu contains nearly four steps.

v  Sillarai adavu-There is no particular steps in this adavu the steps which are all used to balance the time while performing an item is mentioned as sillarai adavu. 

               

   Nearly one year is needed to complete these adavus perfectly. usually, people take nearly one year to complete the twelve adavus. But with God's grace and Guru's blessings I just took six months to complete those adavus.

   After that six months, she started teaching items. I was preparing for my first stage performance. The six-month duration, I was not struggling for concentration while studying because Bharatanatyam increases our memory power, concentration power and it keeps us physically and mentally fit.

  while preparing for my stage performance. I meant to learn bhavas. My teacher teaches me bhavanai for each and every line. There are nine types of expressions such as

1.      Happy    

2.      Sad  

3.      Bold(brave) 

4.      Coward(fear)   

5.      Angry  

6.      Calm 

7.      Surprise/Shock

8.      Love

   I was not expressing bhavas while performing before my teacher. But whatever she taught me was entered so deep in me hear. I was eagerly waiting for the day of my first performance.