Adavu or the Basic Steps

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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 at least two to three years learning the basic steps and to practice the same. In each Bani or style of Bharatnatyam (Kalashetra, Kalamandalam, Mysore, Pandanallure, Vazhuvoor, Thanjavur) there are specific sets or groups of Adavus that are taught to the students. However one can find similarities in adavus all the style. The oldest mention or documentation of Adavus can be traced back to 1500s or 1600s (300 to 400 year ago) by Nattuvanar Gangai Muttu of Tanjore (Sangita Sarasmrita by Tanjore King Tulaja ll).

Why we need to learn the Adavus properly ?

Learning only the adavus and practicing it daily will help the students immensely. If one wants to achieve perfection in Bharatnatyam, he or she has to spend time on learning the adavus and making it a part of daily practice session. These basics steps are formed in a way which helps in developing the flexibility and agility of human body, in order to attain the right postures of the dance. Practicing it regularly will increase the stamina and help in overcoming the muscle cramps and sore body. The acharya (teacher) of Bharatnatyam teaches adavus with three main goals in mind - Angasudhi (Right Posture), Kalam (Tempo or Speed) and Talagayanam (Knowledge of Talam).

How to practice Adavus ?

Each sets of adavus have specific sollu kattu or the syllable. When the Vachik (sollukattu) and Nrittya (adavus) are combined, we get perfection in dance. Each of the adavus have to be practiced in three speeds or Kalam.

1. Vilambita ( Slow)

2. Madhyama (Medium)

3. Dhruta (Fast)

Once all the adavus are learnt one need to practice the adavus on a daily basis to keep perfection. An ideal practice session will include 10 to 15 mins approx of warm up and then any one or two sets of adavus for the next 20 mins approx and then move on to the main items.An Adavu consists of mainly the following parts :

1. Sthanakam (Position of Legs)

2. Mandalam (Psture of Standing)

3. Chari (Walking Movements)

4. Nritya Mudras (Hand Gestures)

Types of Adavus

There are different types. We can fairly sum up that there are around 100 to 110 variations of Adavus. They are as follows :

1. Tatta Adavu : The word "Tatta" in Tamil means "Stamping Feet on the Ground". In Tanjavur style of dance there are 7 Tatta adavus.

2. Natta Adavu :

3. Pakka Adavu :

4. Kuditta Nattal Adavu :

5. Kuditta Tattal Adavu :

6. Kuditta Mettu Adavu :

7. Sarikel Adavu :

8. Utplavana or Kati Adavu :

9. Katari Adavu :

10. Utsanga Adavu :

11. Tirumanam Adavu :

12. Sarika Adavu :

13. Mandi Adavu :

14. Jaati Adavu :

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