Bharatanatyam Basics & Beyond

  Intro So you’ve stepped into the world of Bharatanatyam and survived your first class. Now you’re wondering: what’s next? The answer? Adavus — the building blocks of your entire dance vocabulary. Every Bharatanatyam dancer, no matter how advanced, starts right here. These are the first 5 adavus that you’ll practice until your thighs scream and your spine begs for mercy. But once they click? It’s magic. 1. Tatta Adavu (The Stamping Step) It looks easy, but tatta tests your posture and weight control. Start with Samapada (feet together), then stamp in Aramandi. Keep your spine straight. No slouching. Ever. 2. Natta Adavu (The Stretching Step) This one teaches extension. And rhythm. You’ll start using mukta hasta (open hand gesture). It introduces the "ta tai ta ha" rhythm – get used to it, it’s everywhere. 3. Visharu Adavu (Diagonal Step) Opens your body and introduces basic travel and coordination. Most people mess up the leg-hand sync...

  If you’re reading this, chances are Bharatanatyam has caught your attention. Maybe you’ve watched a performance that moved you. Maybe you’ve danced before and want to go deeper. Or maybe, like many of us, you’ve simply been drawn to something ancient, powerful, and expressive—and you don’t know where to start. Let me make it easier for you. What Is Bharatanatyam, Really? Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest classical dance forms in the world. It originated in Tamil Nadu, South India, more than 2000 years ago. Back then, it was performed in temples as a form of devotion. Today, it lives both in temples and on grand stages—but the soul of the dance hasn’t changed. It blends three things: Nritta – pure movement, rhythm, precision Nritya – expression, storytelling through gestures and facial expressions Natya – dramatic performance, character, and narrative It's not just steps. It's a language. The Core Building Blocks When you start learning Bharatanatyam, t...