Page Title

Bharatanatyam

Instructor- Carmaletta Chelliah (Jeny )

Why learn Bharatanatyam?
Learning the art of Bharatanatyam can improve the posture of over all body, gives us a much
more gentle and graceful stance which can contribute a great deal in increasing our
confidence.

Dance for fitness - Bharatanatyam, puts it, is an artistic yoga (natya yoga), for revealing the
spiritual through the corporeal. This can bring in coordination, balance and flexibility both
mentally and physically. Some of the dance techniques followed can help to you to improve
breathing and enhance spontaneity in all your interactions and activities. The stretching that
you engage in during every practice helps lengthen and stretch the muscles. Breathing deeply
throughout your practice, helps relax your muscles and also brings much needed oxygen to
your cells. During your practice, you are constantly focusing your attention on your body
movements which can play a key role in increasing your span of concentration.
Bharatanatyam in its form of artistic yoga is the best way to renew aliveness, alertness and
joyfulness while practicing art.

Bharatanatyam is one of the most ancient forms of South Indian classical dance that
originated in the Thanjavoor district of Tamil Nadu. The name Bharatanatyam can be
interpreted as Bhava (expression), Raga (Music), Thaala (Rhythm) and Natyam (Dance). It is
based on the theories of the books Natyasaasthram and Abhinaya Darpanam.

The three major styles of Bharatanatyam dance are Vazhuvur, Tanjore and Pandanalluras.
The modern and more popular Kalakshetra style is a simplified combination of these three
styles.
Bharatanatyam is evenly divided between three elements Nritta, Nritya and Natya .Nritta :
Rhythmic Element.Interprits the language of rhythm with the help of body movements.

Nritya : Combination of Rhythm with Expression .Conveys poetic meaning with the help of
expressions, rhythmic gaits and postures. e.g.. Varna, Shabda, Pada etc.
Natya : Dramatic Element. Performing for a theme like Ramayana, Mahabharata etc.
Nritta
Nritta can be broadly divided into Chari, Karana, Angahara and Mandala. Movement of a leg is
called Chari. Movement of both the legs is Karana. 3 Karanas make a Khanda. 3 to 4 Khandas
make a Mandala. 4 to 9 Karanas make a Angahara. 4 to 5 Angaharas also make a Mandala. 108
Karanas and 32 Angaharas are defined in Natyashatra. The 13 Nritta Hastas (explained later)
are used to perform nritta. The rhythmic body movements along with hand gestures are
called Aduvu s. Number of aduvus constitute a Jati . Jati will generally end with a Muktaya or
Teermana .
There are varieties of Aduvus like,
Tatta Adavu
Natta Adavu
Visharu Adavu
Tatti Metti Adavu
Teermanam Adavu
Sarikal Adavu
Kuditta Metta Adavu
Sutral Murka Adavu
Jaati Adavu
Mandi Adavu
There are 12 aduvus in each of the above explained. Hence 120 aduvus exist in total. Only
about 70 - 80 are in practice. The aduvus are more or less Karanas. Hence can be concluded
that there are 108 aduvus. The 108 Karanas or Aduvus are carved in the Chidambaram
Temple in Tanjore, Tamilnadu, India. To perform an aduvu aramandi , bending of the knees is
very very important.

The entire body is divided as Anga, Pratyanga and Upaanga.
We Accepting New Students Between Ages 5 and Above
Enrollment is limited to only 10 students at a time.

For More Details Contact:
phone : 908-687-8345

Beginners:
Level 1:
1.         Tat Adavus (8)
2.         Naat Adavus (8)
3.         Tha tai tai tha
4.         Kudittha Mettu
5.         Tattu metti (Ta ki Ta)
6.         Theermanam

Level 2
1.         Sutrul Adavu
2.         Sarakkal Adavu
3.         Mandi Adavu
4.         Tat tai ta ha,dit tai ta ha
5.         Rangakramana Adavu
Theory: Asamyuktha and Samyuktha hastha with Shloka Natya krama ,Drishti Bedha.
Question and Answers.

Junior:
Level 1:

1.         Pushpanjali
2.         Padam

Level 2:
Alaripu

Theory: Drishti Bedha,Deva Hasthas,Natya Krama and Question and Answers.

FOR BOOKINGS
Thank you for your interest in booking a performance by JENY CHELLIAH. All presentations
can be designed to meet your event needs in these formats:
Stage Performance
Master Classes/ Workshops
Educational Presentations
Lecture- Demonstration
Please cotact with full details

Bharatanatyam (All Ages)
Classical dance from South India combines rhythm, expression, postures, and drama in an
attempt to embody the divine beauty, charm, rhythms, and symbols that exist in heaven as a
means of spiritual elevation.
Starts: Beginning of each month
2012 Fee & Class schedule
with registration form

Hip Hop (Boys and Girls Ages 8-13)
Hip Hop is the dance expression of today's youth. Students will learn the latest dance moves
in a fun and creative environment. Jazz/Hip Hop technique is taught through choreographed
routines to contemporary music. Classes are based on individual growth and group
participation.
We promise 100% fun with dance , in different styles like western- freestyle, hip-hop, folk

Dance class policies...
All new enrollments will register for the Basic level class in the appropriate age group. Unless
the instructor promotes the child to an older age group.

The class duration is1 hour. Parents are requested to bring their children on time.

Parents are not allowed to sit in the class during the teaching is in progress. They can watch
only for the last 5 mins of the class.

Students should come to class in proper dance uniform.

Parents must sign in on their child’s attendance sheet every class.

Fees must be paid on time, or there is a late fee charge.

Classes missed will not be made up, except those cancelled by the instructor. The initial 10
mins of every class is revision time of the steps done in the class prior, so every child can
make up her unlearnt steps that way.

During rehearsals for performances , there could be more than one class per week.

The performance costumes & accessories would be provided by the teacher with an
additional cost.

Contact us
908-687-8345
Email:jeny@dreamiedecors.com