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:
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Nritta – pure movement, rhythm, precision
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Nritya – expression, storytelling through gestures and facial expressions
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Natya – dramatic performance, character, and narrative
It's not just steps. It's a language.
The Core Building Blocks
When you start learning Bharatanatyam, these are the pillars you’ll stand on:
➤ Adavus
The basic steps, done in rhythm. There are dozens of them. You repeat them until your legs burn—and that’s only the beginning.
➤ Mudras
Hand gestures used to communicate words, objects, emotions. There’s a vocabulary of them, and you use them like a language.
➤ Bhavas and Rasas
The emotions you evoke and experience. This is where dance turns into something spiritual, or deeply personal.
➤ Tala and Raga
The rhythm and the melody. Without understanding these, you’re just moving.
➤ The Margam
The traditional Bharatanatyam performance follows a sequence:
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Alarippu – an offering to the stage
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Jatiswaram – pure movement to swaras
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Varnam – the heart of the performance
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Padams & Javalis – storytelling
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Thillana – rhythmic climax
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Mangalam – conclusion and gratitude
What You Need to Start
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Comfortable cotton salwar or dance saree (you don’t need a full costume yet)
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Open space, even if it’s your bedroom
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Water bottle (hydration is survival)
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A notebook to write what you learn
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Patience. You won’t get it all on Day 1.
Myths vs Reality
Myth: “You have to start young.”
Reality: I’ve seen people begin at 5, 25, 40, even 60. What matters is your consistency.
Myth: “It’s all about looking graceful.”
Reality: You’re going to sweat, stumble, and feel stiff. Grace comes after the grind.
Myth: “It’s just a hobby.”
Reality: Bharatanatyam becomes part of who you are. It shapes your thinking, posture, even how you breathe.
A Few Things That Helped Me
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Record yourself. Watching your mistakes is uncomfortable, but it works.
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Watch performances. Not just for inspiration—watch to learn.
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Listen to Carnatic music daily. Your ears need to adapt.
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Ask questions. To your guru, your peers, even yourself.
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Respect the art form. It will give back more than you expect.
The Hard Truth
Bharatanatyam is not a weekend escape. It’s a commitment. It will demand your time, energy, attention, and body. It will test your patience.
But it will also make you stronger, more grounded, more present.
It’ll teach you how to listen. How to express. How to be still and move at the same time.
Final Words
If you’re still reading this, take it as a sign. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to start.
I’m rooting for you—and I’ll be sharing more guides soon. Whether it’s your first adavu, your first stage show, or your first realization that this dance is changing you—this space is for all of it.
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