Curriculum Overview

Dance, like a spoken language, has a defined grammar that must be mastered for effective expression. In Bharata Natyam, adavu (basic movements) serves as the foundational vocabulary for the dance’s nritta (pure dance) component. Each level of our curriculum builds on this foundation, guiding students toward mastery in movement, storytelling, and expression.

Foundation / Beginner Levels

    1. Movements:

      • Adavu: Basic units of movement.

    2. Shloka Recitation:

      • Guru Vandana

      • Namakriya

    3. Hand Gestures:

      • Asamyuta Hastas (single-handed)

      • Samyuta Hastas (double-handed)

    4. Body Movements:

      • Shiro Bheda (head movements)

      • Drishti Bheda (eye movements)

      • Mandala Bheda (foot stances)

    5. Dance Pieces:

      • Ganesha Kavuthvam

      • Kartikeya Kavuthvam

    6. Theory:

      • Stories of Ganesha, Kartikeya, and Shiva

      • Symbolism of Ayudha (weapons/powers) and Vahana (vehicle symbolism)

  • 1. Posture:

    • aramandi (lower body posture)

    • saushthavam (upper body posture)

    • anga suddham (clarity of limbs)

    • ability to do each adavu in slow- medium-fast speeds, and maintain clarity.

    2. Coordination of different body parts. This is a very critical and time consuming process.

    3. Ability to relate theory to movements.

    4. Ability to dance simple sequence of movements.

  • Initiation into the rigorous grammar that makes up Bharatanatyam.

    Emphasis on the need to supplement class learning with individual practice at home.

  • Approximately 1.5 - 2 years

    This is based on the fact that in this phase the students will be learning approximately 8-10 adavu groupings. Each group consists of 4 adavus on average. 4 classes are set aside for each adavu.

Elementary Level

  • Building on the foundation, students learn more complex adavu and deepen their understanding of dance elements.

    1. Movements:

      • Introduction to more complex adavu

    2. Continued Practice:

      • Strengthen recitation of shloka and mastery of hand, head, and eye gestures

    3. New Shloka Recitation:

      • Rasa Bheda

      • Griva Bheda (neck movements)

    4. Body Movements:

      • Sthanaka Bheda (leg stances)

    5. Dance Pieces:

      • Melaprapti

      • Alaripu

    6. Theory:

      • Stories on Shiva

      • Structure of Alaripu

  • Continued development of posture, form, and body coordination, with added emphasis on core tightness.

  • Reinforce the rigorous grammar that makes up Bharatanatyam, with continued emphasis on the need to supplement class learning with individual practice at home.

  • Approximately 2 years

    This is based on the fact that the students will be learning approximately 8-10 adavu groupings in this phase which are more complex in nature. Each group consists of 4 adavus on an average. 4 classes are set aside for each adavu.

Intermediate Level

  • Students expand their adavu vocabulary and are introduced to narrative dance elements known as nritya, or narrative dance.

    1. Movements:

      • Expanded adavu vocabulary

    2. Shloka Recitation:

      • Viniyoga (usage of hand gestures)

    3. Dance Pieces:

      • Introduction of nritya with Swarajati, Abhanga, and Thillana

    4. Theory:

      • Structure of Swarajati and Thillana

      • Background of Abhanga and introduction to the Bhakti movement

      • Concepts of Vibhava and Anubhava

  • 1. Build a huge mass of dance vocabulary.

    2. Skills to dance complex movement sequences, known as korvai.

    3. Ability to transition from one movement to the next and from one speed to the other.

    4. Ability to remember the order of movement sequences.

    5. Knowledge of pancha jaati or the five rhythmic variations used in Bharata Natyam.

  • Swarajati is the most difficult piece in the Bharata Natyam repertoire. It is critical at this stage to supplement in-class learning with focused practice at home.

    Exposure to the narrative element of Bharata Natyam through nritya pieces and class assignments.

    Further grounding in the dance technique in preparation for the varnam, which is the magnum opus in a Bharata Natyam repertoire.

  • Approximately 2-3 years

Advanced Level I

  • This level emphasizes complex movement patterns, expressive dance, and deeper theoretical understanding.

    1. Movements:

      • Complex adavu sequences

    2. Shloka Recitation:

      • Continued focus on viniyoga

    3. Dance Pieces:

      • Varnam (an elaborate dance piece)

      • Padams (two expressive pieces)

    4. Theory:

      • Philosophical concepts underlying expressive pieces

  • Ability to move from quick and powerful rhythmic sequences known as jatis to softer expressive portions known as sahityam danced to lyrics.

    Developing stamina as this piece consists, on an average, of 25-30 minutes.

  • Cementing knowledge of nritta and nritya through increased grasp of rhythmic movements and expressive ability.

    It is only after completing varnam, do we start talking about arangetram.

  • Approximately 2 years

Advanced Level II

    1. New Dance Pieces:

      • Additional varnam and narrative pieces

    2. Theory:

      • Introduction to talam (rhythm) and nattuvangam (cymbal accompaniment)

    3. Choreography:

      • Students begin choreographing simple pieces

  • 1. Increase skills to express emotions.

    2. Develop balance to freeze into poses.

    3. Develop a greater sense of keeping rhythm.

  • Students refine their skills with new varnam and narrative pieces, and are introduced to rhythm known as talam, and nattuvangam with opportunities for choreography.

    Reviewing all relevant pieces. We will start preparation for solo performances

  • Approximately 2 years

List of Adavus

  1. Tatta Adavu (4)

  2. Natta Adavu (6 basic) (5 advanced)*

  3. Visharu Adavu (6)

  4. Pak Adavu (3)

  5. Peri Adavu (3)

  6. Tat- tai- ta- ha Adavu (7)*

  7. Tirmanam Adavu (6)**

  8. Murka Adavu (4)*

  9. Yettu Adavu (3)*

  10. Kuditamitta Adavu (10)

  11. Mandi Adavu (7)**

  12. Sarikal Adavu (6)

  13. Nadai Adavu(3)

  14. Tatimettu Adavu (5)

  15. Tai-taimtat-ta Adavu (3)

  16. Utplavan Adavu (last two kartari) (4)*

  17. Brahmaris (pirouettes) (3)

  18. Tai-tam Adavu (2)

* Difficult
** Very difficult