Classes of All Levels

Beginners

Class Overview:

The early stages of training involve learning the basic steps, called adavus, and movements of the dance. These elements are the building blocks for subsequent, more advanced, sequences of dance. The exercises condition the body from the unique postures of Bharatanatyam. They also develop the student’s sense of rhythm. Having a fit and flexible physique allows a student to learn quickly, otherwise the fitness and flexibility will have to be developed over time.

Students also learn eye movements, which are done in synchronization with body movements in the dance.

At this stage, students also learn the names of hand gestures called hastas, which are an important feature of Bharatanatyam. They comprise the descriptive language of the dance. Students also learn about the history of Bharatanatyam, the musical instruments used, and other related topics.

Beginning students of Bharatanatyam also learn folk dances. The folk dances are group dances, and complement the classical training, which is for solo dancing at this stage. They teach the students coordination with other dancers. They also let students get a taste of performing on stage.

Intermediates

Class Overview:

At the intermediate stage, students learn more advanced steps and complicated patterns of movement. They also learn the names of facial expressions, which are a distinctive feature of Bharatanatyam.

The students begin learning some basic dance compositions. The choreography is simple, and there isn’t much expressive content. Examples of these items are the alarippu and jatiswaram. These items may be performed on stage during our annual function.

Advance

Class Overview:

These students learn the remaining dance compositions that make up the repertoire of a full Bharatanatyam recital. Although they may only learn a single instance of some types of items, the repertoire covers all the features of the dance. It includes rhythmic dance, emotional expression, and variety. The items they practice include the shabdam, varnam, padam, kirtanam, ashtapadi, javali, tillana, and shlokam.

Advanced students perform Bharatanatyam on stage at various times during the year, to gain experience. They are in preparation for the arangetram, which marks their coming of age as dancers. They need to develop proficiency in all aspects of the dance.

Arangetram

This milestone in the career of a Bharatanatyam dancer is often misunderstood as the graduation event that ends the training of the dancer. It is actually a beginning of the dancer’s career as a performer, and there’s no end to the training afterwards. The word arangetram translates as climbing onto (etram) the stage (arangam).

The arangetram is marked by a solo recital by the new dancer, attended by the teachers, mentors, and family elders. It’s up to the dancer as to how large a function it is, and who else attends. The trend in recent years to extravagant arangetram functions is unfortunate, since the lavish arrangements often distract attention from the dance performance. The real point of the arangetram is for the dancer to deliver his or her first full solo performance, and receive the blessings of the teacher and other elders for a fruitful dance career. There have been top dancers in Bharatanatyam whose arangetram performances were attended by only a handful of people.

By the time of the arangetram, the dancer will have learned all the elements of the dance, and demonstrates this knowledge and ability in the arangetram recital.