Bharatanatyam Adavus Lesson 6 - Thathai Thaha

Srishti Productions and Srishti School of Classical Dance (Kuwait) has initiated a new project beneficial for Bharatanatyam dancers - “ Sampoornam - The complete guide to Bharatanatyam Adavus” that aims to compile all the Bharatanatyam Adavus in a sequential order with high quality audio and videography which will be made available “Online” free of cost. This is to encourage the students, teachers and parents to realize the importance of knowing the basics and will serve as a reference guide of the adavus. One must essentially know the adavus in order to understand this dance form. Just like how alphabets are important to form words and phrases, adavus are very important and form the foundation of any classical dance form. Several students learn dance for a few years and keep it aside as they get busy in studies and move into different walks of life. After several years, when they realize their inner calling to get back into art, they are lost and don’t know where to start. This guide will be the best way they can start off even after a long gap. Knowing the adavus can help the students and teachers enter the world of choreography. Freedom must be used in art forms and the knowledge of the basics is essential in order for us to exploit the myriad aspects of classical dance.

This compilation will consist of around 70 adavus . This is not a tutorial or a learning tool as we believe that learning must be strictly done under the guidance of a teacher. This is strictly for reference only. The audio for practice will also be uploaded on the internet. This can be used by the dance teachers also thereby bringing a sense of compulsion of practicing the adavus. Practicing the adavus keeps the mind focused and instills a balance between the mind and body. These adavus also enhance concentration and help the participants attain a relaxed state of mind. The adavus being a rigorous form of practice is one of the best forms of work outs that will certainly result in the release of endorphins thus making the dancers feel happy at all times.
The students of Srishti School of Classical Dance (Kuwait) who have been a part of this project are Kaavya Vaidyanathan, Dheera Ragesh, Anjali Nair and Anandika Dilip.