BharatanatyamBharatanatyam is a major form of Indian classical dance that originated in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of eight forms of dance recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi and it expressed South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas, particularly of Shaivism, Vaishnavism an Shaktism.
Bharatanatyam's theoretical foundations trace to the ancient Tamil text by Bharata Muni, Natya Shastra, its existence by 2nd century CE is noted in the ancient Tamil epic Silappatikaram while temple sculptures of 6th to 9th century CE suggest it was a well refined performance art by the mid 1st millennium CE. Bharatanatyam is the oldest classical dance tradition of India. Bharatanatyam style is noted for its fixed upper torso, legs bent or knees flexed out combined with spectacular footwork, a sophisticated vocabulary of hand gestures, eyes and face muscles.The performance repertoire of Bharatanatyam, like other classical dances, includes nrita (pure dance), nritya (solo expressive dance) and natya (group dramatic dance). *Text from Wikipedia |
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Classes
Beginner (Level 1)
Students will learn the hand gestures and basic steps/adavus of Bharatanatyam. Classes focus on developing balance and alignment. Students will explore adavu groups, and learn helpful Yoga postures.
Beginner II (Level 2-4)
Adavus will continue to be taught. Small jathis and phrases will be introduced in this session to begin preparation for the intermediate level as well as slokams and invocatory items (alarippu, pushpanjali)
Intermediate (Level 5-7)
This class focuses on learning items from the Bharatanatyam margam, or solo performance repertoire. This includes items such as varnams and padams. Students will focus on developing rhythmic and musical skills that can be applied to the item they are learning.
Advanced (Level 8-10)
For professional and pre-professional training, these classes focus heavily on the nuances that take a dancer from "good" to great emphasizing strong muscular technique and independent thought in learning, as well as improvisational skills and theory.
Adavu Workouts (Open Level)
This class is a way for both professionals and amateurs to enjoy practice of the building blocks of bharatanatyam while working on form, strength and stamina. Set up as a cardio workout the classes function as a way to perfect technique or as a simple way to keep in touch with the dance form you love.
Students will learn the hand gestures and basic steps/adavus of Bharatanatyam. Classes focus on developing balance and alignment. Students will explore adavu groups, and learn helpful Yoga postures.
Beginner II (Level 2-4)
Adavus will continue to be taught. Small jathis and phrases will be introduced in this session to begin preparation for the intermediate level as well as slokams and invocatory items (alarippu, pushpanjali)
Intermediate (Level 5-7)
This class focuses on learning items from the Bharatanatyam margam, or solo performance repertoire. This includes items such as varnams and padams. Students will focus on developing rhythmic and musical skills that can be applied to the item they are learning.
Advanced (Level 8-10)
For professional and pre-professional training, these classes focus heavily on the nuances that take a dancer from "good" to great emphasizing strong muscular technique and independent thought in learning, as well as improvisational skills and theory.
Adavu Workouts (Open Level)
This class is a way for both professionals and amateurs to enjoy practice of the building blocks of bharatanatyam while working on form, strength and stamina. Set up as a cardio workout the classes function as a way to perfect technique or as a simple way to keep in touch with the dance form you love.