SangeetKalaKendraKolkata

 Mandala bhedam is the different ways of standing described in Natyashastra and Abhinayadarpana. It is very important for a student of any classical dance to focus of these leg and feet position. not only we need to teach these theoretically but we have to practice the same practically in the class, only then can we master these. It is very important to learn these and practiced this diligently so that during the performance, postures look extremely nice. Slokam related to Mandala Bheda in Natyashastra is as follows : “Sthaanakam chaayataalidham prenkhanapreritaani cha Pratyaalidham swastika cha motitam samasoochikaa Paarshwesoochiti cha dasha mandalaaniritaaneeha” 1. Stanaka Mandala 2. Ayataa Mandala  : Placing heels together and the toes facing outside (not necessarily 180 degrees as in Aramandi) , with the knees bent facing both sides. Feet position is flat.  3. Aalida Mandala :  From Ayataa lifting the right feet and keeping it in front. Both the knees wil...

The word " Gaati" in Sanskrit means "speed". However, in dance Gati Bhedam denotes the different speed of walking. Different animals have been taken as an example to show the walking style and speed. 1. Hamsa Gati 2. Mayur Gati 3. Mrig Gati 4. Gaja Gati 5. Turanga Gati 6. Simha Gati 7. Bhujangi Gati 8. Manduki Gati 9. Veera Gati 10. Maanvi Gati

 Bhramari literally means "circling" in Sanskrit. As per Natyashastra, there are following type of Bhramari that a dance student has to master.  1. Utpluta Bhramari : Taking a full circle and during start keeping the feet in Sama padam is called Utpluta Bhramari. This is extensively used in Kathak as well as in Bharatnatyam. 2. Chakra Bhramari :  While standing on the toes and turning (full round ) is called Chakra Bhramari. This is also used in Kathak extensively. 3. Garuda Bhramari : Standing in Garuda Stanaka and moving in a circle is Garuda Bhramari. 4. Eka Pada Bhramari : This is done by standing on one leg (Eka Pada Stanaka) with the other leg lifted and quickly taking a turn and landing on both feet. 5. Kunchita Bhramari : Circling with bend knees and on toes is Kunchita Bhramari. 6. Akaash Bhramari : Jumping with stretched legs towards sky (AS FAR AS POSSIBLE) and turning around and landing in samapada . 7.  Anga Bhramari : Standing with two feet ap...

 The word "Utplavana" is a Sanskrit word which literally means "leap".  Both Natyashastra and Abhnayadarpana talks about Utplavana. As per these text spinging the body or leaping can be done in the following ways. 1. 

  Stanaka literally means " standing position ". Both Natyashastra and Abhinayadarpana not only mentions about the stanaka but also describes them. There are 6 Stanakas that are taught to the students of any classical dance. 1) Sama Padam : This is perhaps the most commonly used leg position not only in Bharatnatyam but in all the dance forms. Both the feet are joined with knee together and body kept straight. The hand is hold at the waist generally. This is extensively used during the beginning (Natyarambham) or end of any dance.  2) Eka Padam : The word "Eka" in Sanskrit means "one". Hence Eka padam refers to one feet. This position can be done when one feet is kept in sama pada and the other leg is lifted in such a way that the feet height will as tall as that of the other knee. The height of the knee should ideally be at the waist length. The hand is held at waist. This can be used showing a King sitting on throne, Rishi doing penance. 3) Naagabandh...

 The word "Tatta" in Tamil means "Stamping feet on the ground". In Tanjavur style of Bharatnatyam there are 7 adavus. Rukmini Devi introduced the 8th adavu in Kalashetra School of Dance. Adavus Sollu   (Syllables or Bol) Details Tatta 1 Tai Ya Tai Stamping   each   feet once (alternately) Tatta 2 Tai Ya Tai Kirataka Tai Ya Tai Stamping   each   feet twice   (alternately) Tatta 3 Tai Tai Tam Stamping each feet thrice (alternately) Tatta 4 Tai Tai Tai Ya Tam Stamping each feet four times   (alternately) Tatta 5 Tai Tai      Tai Tai Tam Stamping each feet twice and then thrice (alternately). There is a small pause between the first two beats and the last three beats Tatta 6 Tai Tai Tam Tai Tai Tam Stamping each feet thri...

 Error ### 401  Incomplete Updated Page  Introduction Adavus are the basic steps that are taught to the students of Bharatnatyam. These are the initial body and hand movements taught to a novice for body conditioning, who wants to pursue Bharatnatyam. They can also be called the "Alphabets of dance". Like alphabets are put together to form words and then sentences, Adavus are put together to form Chollakattus, Korvais and in turn a dance sequence. This is pure Nritya with no Abhinaya. The initial training of a student in any classical dance form  is of paramount importance. This is the time when the foundations are laid on which the structure will be built later on. Hence it is always advice able to spend more time on Adavus, so that learning dance in future becomes easily. Ideally, in traditional schools of Bharatnatyam, a student spends over 1 year in a degree or a diploma programme and for youngsters who starts training at an early age, it is advice able to spend ...