Curriculum in Bharathanatyam in a systematic manner following the traditional ‘Margam’ format. Mandatory enrolment September to May required to complete one-year course. The number of years required for training is a rough estimate and will depend sometimes on the ability of the students.
Dance: Ganesha Kavitvam/Pushpanjali
Theory: Double hand gestures.
Terms: Bha, Ra and Tha in Bharathanatyam,
Talam: Adi Talam
Dance: Alaripu + recital dance
Talam: Roopaka Talam
Theory: Eye, head and neck movements, Devatha hastas,
Dance: Jathiswaram
Theory: Pada bedha, Mandala bedha,
Terms: Shollukattu, Korvai/Jathi
Instruments used in Bharathanatyam performances
Theory: Pataka hasta uses,
Terms: Nritta, Nrithya, Natya
Talam:: Misra Chapu
Dance: Thillana
Theory: Tripataka to Shuka thunda.
Term: Arudhi
Classical Dances of India
Theory: Uses of Mushti to trishoola,
Terms:Tandava, Lasya
Kinds of Abhinaya : Angika,Vachika,Aharya,Satvika
Theory: Double hand gestures and uses.
History of Bharathanatyam , The Navarasas.
Theory: To learn to say jathis to talam and to use the tattu kazhi .
The Nayaka and Nayaki bhava
Please note:
- Pre Natyam Adavus Thattadavu 1-5, Nattadavu 1,2,5,6,7 Paraval Adavu -1 Dance: Recital Dance Theory: Single hand gestures. Terms: Namaskaram, Aramandi, Samapadam, Muzhumandi.
- Beginner - Level -1 Adavus: Tataadavu, Nattadavu,Paraval Adavu,Kudiththamettadavu, Dance : Shlokams Theory: Single Single Hand gestures. Terms: Namaskaram, Aramandi, Samapadam, Muzhumandi.
- Beginner – Level 2
Dance: Ganesha Kavitvam/Pushpanjali
Theory: Double hand gestures.
Terms: Bha, Ra and Tha in Bharathanatyam,
Talam: Adi Talam
- Junior - Level 1
Dance: Alaripu + recital dance
Talam: Roopaka Talam
Theory: Eye, head and neck movements, Devatha hastas,
- Junior - Level 2 ( Technique and understanding of Korvai and Jathi)
Dance: Jathiswaram
Theory: Pada bedha, Mandala bedha,
Terms: Shollukattu, Korvai/Jathi
Instruments used in Bharathanatyam performances
- Intermediate - Level 1 ( Introducing expressions ) Adavus: Karthari adavus, Sarukku adavus
Theory: Pataka hasta uses,
Terms: Nritta, Nrithya, Natya
Talam:: Misra Chapu
- Intermediate-Level 2
Dance: Thillana
Theory: Tripataka to Shuka thunda.
Term: Arudhi
Classical Dances of India
- Senior - Level 1
Theory: Uses of Mushti to trishoola,
Terms:Tandava, Lasya
Kinds of Abhinaya : Angika,Vachika,Aharya,Satvika
- Senior - Level 2
Theory: Double hand gestures and uses.
History of Bharathanatyam , The Navarasas.
- Advanced Level (Post Arangetram and pre-professional)
Theory: To learn to say jathis to talam and to use the tattu kazhi .
The Nayaka and Nayaki bhava
Please note:
- An extra dance for the recital could be taught besides the curriculum dance each year.
- All levels involve warm up and stretches plus practicing technique or Adavus in every class.
- Alaripu or an old dance may also be a part of their warm up/technique practices
- Beginner Level - Technique - 50 minutes, 10 minutes of theory.
- Junior and intermediate levels - Technique - 20 minutes, 40 minutes dance and theory
- Senior and advanced levels --Technique 15 minutes, 45 minutes dance and theory
- Annual recital Rasaanubhava: All students will showcase their learning in a recital during the month of April
- Public performances: Opportunities may be given to students to perform in a group at public venues like temple festivals and other cultural festivals.Performance opportunities may be given to groups who have completed at least the Pushpanjali.
- Arangetram: An Arangetram is the first formal solo presentation of a student to the audience by her teacher. This takes place after the student has completed the basic training. After this is accomplished the student continues to pursue her study of dance. On the day of the Arangetram the student offers her knowledge of this art-form at the feet of her Guru and to Lord Nataraja. On this auspicious occasion the artist ascends the stage withhopes to display her talent while growing closer to God. Generally, a student is ready for Arangetram when the student (a) has finished one margam (Set of 8 dances Pushpanjali to Thillana), (b) has a good grasp of technique and expressions (c) has shown keenness in dance (d) Attended classes regularly and demonstrated regular practice habits. Arangetram is generally performed to live music. The readiness of a student for an Arangetram will be decided by the teacher. Arangetrams is performed to live music and can be done as a solo performance or as a duet.
- Salangai Poojai: Students grade 10 & below can do a home salangai pooja performance for CD music after they have learnt Pushpanjali, Alaripu Jathiswaram, Shabdam and Thillana. Students will receive a salangai pooja certificate. These performances can be done as a solo or a duet. Students Grade 11 ,12 and above who have completed a full course work including the varnam may do a performance in a theater setting. The students will perform to pre-recorded CD music. They will perform select dances from their course work in presence of teacher, family and friends. They will receive a course completion certificate.