The learning or teaching of the classical dance of Bharatnatyam begins with the foot movements known as tatta adavus, followed by the mudras, which together are then composed into Jattis. Pieces such as “Alaripu” and “Jatiswaram” are adavus performed to swara patterns. The next step in the progression of learning is a Shabdam. As the […]
Intrapersonal intelligence, listed by Howard Gardner as the last of the seven intelligences in his ‘Theory of Multiple Intelligences’, is the ability to understand oneself and one’s thoughts and feelings, and further using this knowledge to plan and set goals and direction to one’s life. Also known as being Self Smart, it involves introspective and self-reflective […]
Rasa as well as Bhav are beautifully articulated by Bharat Muni in the Natyashastra, an ancient work of dramatic theory. Rasa, the essence, denotes an essential mental state where as Bhav, the state of mind, is often translated into feeling, emotion or mood. The two are closely interlinked and intertwined. Rasa-abhinaya, in the text explains rasa as […]
Texts on dance assign a definite place to the taladhari or the nattuvanar on a stage. It is relevant to understand his role, his place in a bharatnatyam recital, his qualities and also the actual techniques of playing the talams. The nattuvanar sits with the mridangist to his right and the singer to his left. While […]
The shlokam for the Drishti Bheda is as follows: Samam alokitam sachi pralokitam Nimilite ullokita anuvritte chaivaavalokitam The Viniyogam Of Samam Is: Naatyarambhe thulaayaamcha chaapyanya chinthaa vinishchayeh Aascharyeh devataaroope sama drishti rudhaahruthaa Meaning: Beginning of dance, scale (physical balance), effort to think what the other person is thinking, certainly, surprise to look at the image of […]
Sthanaka are the postures assumed at the beginning and end of an adavu. The Abhinaya Darpanam mentions 6 of these: Aindram Brahma Ekapadam Garuda Nagabandha Samapada The Natya Shastra mentions: Alidha Mandala Pratyalidham Samapadam Vaishaka vaishnava
As the name suggests, shabdam is the first item in a bharatnatyam recital, which has words in it, also commonly called “sabda”. Therefore, it is the first item of a maargam that has abhinaya or expressions in it. Previously called Yashogati in Sanskrit, It is usually in praise of lord Krishna, Rama, Shiva, Muruga or […]
Karana is described in the natyashastra as “hastapaada samaayogaah nrttsya karanam bhavet”. It is a combination of three elements, namely nritta hasta (dance movement of the hands), sthaana (a dance posture for the body) and a chaari (a dance movement of the leg). The karanas form the basis of the adavus. Therefore, each karana was practised as […]
It is a movement of the pada bheda. In this movement, the heels are placed on the ground and the forepart of the foot and toes are raised. It suggests the following acts: Moving with a wound on the forefoot Turning in all directions Being struck by something It is also used in various bhramaris
It is a classification of the Aangiga Abhinaya, which means expressing through the means of the limbs of the body. It includes the following 12 parts of the head. Upanga: The shloka is as follows: Drishti bhru puta taarashca kapolou naasika hanu, Adharo daasana jihwaa cubukam vadanam tatha, Upaangani dwadasaiwa sirasyangantaresu cha, Parshnigulphou tatha aangulyah […]