Online workshop on Margi Techniques –Module 1A:

8 Bhoomi Charis

Angas (Shiro, uro, Parsva, Kati & Pada Bhedas)

Nritta hasta – 15

Plus Theory & Practical Application of Charis in choreography

Dates and Time :Aug 12 & 13 from 10-11.30 am

Location : Online over Zoom

Fees: $120

Eligibility

• 10 years and older
• Online Only
• Should have completed Jatiswaram

Join with card payment

Join with Zelle (follow the link to natyam Academy of performing Arts)

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So what can dancers do if they are struggling to pick up choreography?

1. Dancers today have smartphones, easy access to recording abilities, YouTube, voice memos and many more multisensory tools at their fingertips. If you’re an aspiring dancer, use these!

2. Advocate for yourself during and after class. When the teacher asks if you need to see it again, say “yes.” It will get you noticed and they will appreciate that you probably aren’t the only one who needs to see it again. If you need help reviewing the material, ask an advanced peer to go over it with you for a few minutes after class.

3. Write it down. That tactile action combined with saying it aloud will help solidify the steps.

4. Don’t mark. If you do, at least perform your hands full out while practicing.

5. Take many styles of dance classes. Repetition for muscle memory is key. During and after college I found that studying a variety of genres in addition to my dance major requirements helped me most in auditions.

6. Finally, know that you are not alone. You are not “slow” and I am sure you are concentrating and paying attention. Never be afraid to explain to your dance teachers that everyone learns differently. You may teach them something that will be valuable to other students in the long run.

Click here to view original web page at www.dancemagazine.com

The post Can’t Pick Up Choreography Quickly? This Might Be Why—and What You Can Do About It appeared first on Online Bharatanatyam.

This course is for absolute beginners. You will learn the fundamental movements in Bharatanatyam – Adavus.

The word “Adavu” is a building block of the dance form. Just like a combination of alphabets give words and thereafter sentences, Adavus are combined to form a dance sequence in Bharatanatyam.

An Adavu is a combination of:

• Position of the legs (Sthanakam)
• The posture of our standing (Mandalam)
• Walking movement (Chari)
• Hand gestures (nritta hastas)

All the four done in synchronization with Rhythm or Tala is Adavu.

Great! So let us see which Adavus we will learn in this course.

What is covered?

We have 10 Adavus in Bharatanatyam.

We have divided the course into two parts – Nātyārambham-1 and Nātyārambham-2.

This course, Nātyārambham-1, includes the following:

1. Namaskara kriya
2. Vyayaam/Exercise to begin Natyam
3. Tatta Adavu,
4. Natta Adavu,
5. Visharu Adavu
6. Tattimetti Adavu
7. Kuditta Metta Adavu

We will practice four variations of each of the Adavus above.
Other than Adavu practice, we will also cover the following:

• Asamyukta Hastas (Single hand gestures)
• Mandala Bhedas (Standing positions)
• Greeva Bhedas (Neck Movements)

How would it work?

You will learn the above Adavus, Hastas, and Bhedas in 16 sessions of 1 hour each.

The classes will be divided into learning and practice sessions including breakouts with your team members.

We will also explore the numerous variations and improvisations that can be incorporated for each technique.

What is included?

The course includes the following:

• Live online sessions with your Bharatanatyam teacher
• Pre-recorded session course videos to prepare
• Course material as appropriate

Limited spots: 9 people limit to enable the best teacher-student relationship. We will have breakouts for more interactions and practice.

Time Commitment: 1 hour per week for 16 weeks on Saturdays.

Format: Online Video sessions. (e.g. Zoom or Teams or Google)
 

How to get started?

Please fill up below form and confirm your interest to join the course. We will together have an initial trial session, finalize your time slot and payment schedule. 

The post Nātyārambham 1- the Beginner course in Bharatanatyam. appeared first on Online Bharatanatyam.

Nyama McCarthy-Brown, assistant professor of community engagement through dance pedagogy at Ohio State University, breaks down the need for more inclusive dance training in higher ed.

“We have over 600 college dance programs in the United States, and less than 10 of them focus on something other than ballet or modern,” says McCarthy-Brown of her research. The more college dance departments privilege Western techniques, the more students will follow a pattern that limits their options, losing the opportunity to work within other cultural practices.

What would it look like if ballet or modern dancers consistently diversified their training with bharatanatyam or traditional West African dance? “I don’t think we fully understand what the benefits are, because we haven’t given students the opportunity to expand in those ways,” says McCarthy-Brown. “We deserve a chance to find out.”

Click here to view original web page at www.dancemagazine.com

The post The Majority of College Dance Programs Focus on Western Techniques—and It’s Shortchanging Students’ Artistry appeared first on Online Bharatanatyam.

“Dance is a prayer with my entire being –  a transforming experience, a joyous celebration of life”

• Alarmel Valli

My last article was about how dance, the divine art, affects our physical health and more so has a major impact on kids.  Dance has many more effects on our intellectual, emotional and spiritual health, and I feel they are much more important and less noticed.

Some kids stop dancing when they reach higher classes, but did you know that dancing improves a lot of their intellectual qualities? Dance helps children develop cognitive skills. The aspect of dance where each individual interacts with fellow dancers as a group, helps children improve their social and communication skills. It further sparks creativity, increases confidence, teaches the qualities of perseverance and self-motivation. It is mind-boggling to see the literature evidence of The National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), USA. The report, published in 2013,  highlights that the study of arts among school children improves their reading and language skills, mathematics skills, thinking skills,  social skills and motivates them to learn. Keeping in mind the undeniable positive effects of dance and other arts on children, and to also preserve our rich heritage, The NCERT (National Council for Educational Research and Training), which is the apex body for school curriculum in India has now established an elaborate curriculum for dance training and other arts in schools.

Eric Jensen mentions in his book ‘Teaching with the Brain in Mind’ that there are strong connections between physical education, movement, breaks, recess, energizing activities and improved cognition. The area of the brain most associated with motor control is the cerebellum. In fact, most of the neural circuits from the cerebellum are “outbound,” influencing the rest of the brain (Middleton & Strick, 1994). Amazingly, this part of the brain that processes movement is the same part of the brain that processes learning 

During my talk with Dr. Balamurugan, who is a very well known neurologist at SIMS, Salem, he explained that movement is primarily controlled by the brain. More specifically , a programmed movement can be used to improve learning and memory. It activates more neurons and hence more neural chemical transformation takes place. He also agrees that dance helps kids to make connections and stay engaged for a longer time as neurons which were otherwise inactive get activated by dance. I admit, I do have a poor memory, but dance has always augmented it and helped improve it!

The effects of dance on differently-abled children is amazing! Dance helps improve connectivity in special children and helps them improve their focus. There is evidence for the potential use of music-based movement experiences to promote gross motor and fine motor performance in typically developing children as well as in individuals with special needs. Dr.Ambika Kameshwar, Founder and Director, Rasa, Chennai, mentions that she uses dance to work with all kinds of children ranging from social interaction handicap, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities and many more. She has devised a methodology based on the elements of theatre and has seen drastic improvements in people with respect to physical, mental or social aspects. She mentions that Life and Theatre are not apart and that every problem can be overcome using the elements of theatre.

From the emotional aspect, dance is a stress buster. This is not just theoretical data, but it’s something that has been experienced by me and many other dancers. The feeling that one gets after a dance practice cannot be explained in words, but can only be felt and enjoyed! Like I mentioned in my previous article, dance has helped me to deal with my vertigo problem. It was not the exercise alone, but also the stress relieving quality of dance that helped me deal with the sickness. During my interview with the famous Gurus in Chennai,  Smt. Anitha Guha and Smt. Sheela Unnikrishnan, they mentioned how children found it refreshing during exams to come for their dance classes. They also mentioned that dance brought out a natural glow among the children and made them happy. It also inculcated a feeling of responsibility and sincerity which was automatically applied to all their aspects of lives.

Finally , like my Guru Dr. Padma Subramanyam says,  the spiritual aspect of dance is what our culture presents to the whole world. The moral stories and values that our mythology holds can be best passed on to the next generation through dance.  Not only that, the good feeling that one gets after dancing makes one experience divinity. Dancing definitely takes us a step closer to the Almighty!

(Arathi P is currently our faculty for Online Bharatanatyam training our students in USA.  She started her training in Pandanallur bani under Mrs. Manjusha Deshmukh from Maharashtra. Currently in Chennai she completed MFA Bharatanatyam from Sastra University under the guidance of Dr.Padma Subramanyam and running her own dance institute ‘SriNaatyanjali’.)

The post Rhythms and their vibration on young minds. appeared first on Online Bharatanatyam.

Workshop 1:- June 17 to June 19 

Workshop 2:- June 20 to June 22

About Srikanth Natarajan

1. Kavadi Chindu
2. Mohiniyattom
3. Thiruchengottu Ardhanareeswar Kuravanji.
4. Hastas and bhedas

The post Bharatanatyam Workshop in Plano, Texas appeared first on Online Bharatanatyam.

“Dance is not just about name and fame but about ātma tṛiptī. It’s not just the spectator’s
enjoyment, but also about your own. Dance is also about an inward journey, which should be
the ultimate aim.”
– Dr. Padma Subramanyam

(Photo by Johan Bos from Pexels )

Dance is a divine art and also a form of yoga. Especially children have an intuitive sense of rhythm. You would have noticed children dance to the rhythm of a song, even before they know to walk or talk properly. William Stafford, the famous poet, has rightly said “Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn’t music.” Kids develop the sense of movement even before they begin to express themselves through words. This movement when structured and performed with an intent and awareness becomes dance.

Recently I came across a friend of mine who said her daughter , who was undoubtedly a graceful dancer, had stopped dancing as she was too busy with her studies. I have seen many others stop dancing due to similar reasons. I think it’s important to bring out to people what they are missing by not dancing.The effects of dance are very well known and has been emphasised by many people. But its effect on young children is so much more than what can be seen by the eyes. This article is a gist of my MFA project work under Dr. Padma Subramanyam.

Dance is a powerful ally that helps a growing child to develop many attributes. Looking at the physical attributes, dance is the fun way to get good exercise. It helps build muscle and flexibility, and improves blood circulation. It has a great impact on coordination and motor skills. Dancing regularly lowers risk of obesity and helps tackle many health issues. It keeps the body as well as the brain active and energetic. It further improves balance and spatial awareness.

Do you know that the relation between dance, learning and brain development has been scientifically proven? Movement and learning are connected and brain research tells us about the relationship between body and mind. There has been a lot of anatomical, imaging, cognitive and functional studies which suggest that there definitely needs to be more movement in the learning process, particularly among children. Could there be a better structured movement, other than dance steps!!

Let me quote some of my personal experiences to further emphasize on the advantages. As a kid I was very energetic and less susceptible to common cold and similar infections. Dancing regularly has always helped me to keep myself fit and healthy. Learning dance lessons definitely boosted my memory and helped me improve my focus. It further increased my concentration levels and memory power which helped me in my studies too. Dance has given me a chance to be creative. It has always helped me release my emotions and given me a positive energy.

Even recently, after my second delivery, I had an acute problem of vertigo. I was on medication and was told to do certain exercises regularly. And when the set of exercises were given to me, lo and behold! They were nothing but Shiro bheda ( head movements), Drishti bheda (eye movements) and Greeva bheda (neck movements) in Bharatanatyam in a different sequence. With the vertigo problem lingering about, I was advised to think twice before joining Master in Fine Arts for Bharatanatyam, as a lot of movement could aggravate the problem. But believe it or not, I joined the course and there has not been one episode of vertigo problem after that!!

The physical attributes are known to many, but did we know that there are intellectual, emotional and spiritual aspects too that dance helps to develop in children? I shall bring about these aspects of dance in my next article.

(Arathi P is currently our faculty for Online Bharatanatyam training our students in USA.  She started her training in pandanallur bani under Mrs. Manjusha Deshmukh from Maharashtra. Currently in Chennai she completed MFA Bharatanatyam from Sastra University under the guidance of Dr.Padma Subramanyam.)

The post Effect of Dance on Young Minds appeared first on Online Bharatanatyam.

1. Natyarambham DVD Part 1 

This DVD demonstrates the first five Adavus:

1. Tatta Adavu
2. Natta Adavu
3. Visharu Adavu
4. Tatti Metti Adavu
5. Teermanam Adavu

2. Natyarambham DVD Part 2 

This DVD demonstrates the Next five Adavus:

1. Kuditta-Metta Adavu
2. Sarikal Adavu
3. Sutral Adavu
4. Jaati Adavu
5. Mandi Advau

The post Natyarambham DVD Part 1 and Part 2 Download appeared first on Online Bharatanatyam.

Natyam Academy is a an organisation dedicated towards promoting the Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam to the communities around. It is an effort to bring about an awareness of the Indian Arts and culture to Dallas and its suburban cities.

Students 5 years old and above , culture, economic background, skill and ability can be a part of our school. Our curriculum’s are structured, organised and offer high quality training. Students are offered certification programs to backup their learning process. They also get to perform at different venues that alleviates their confidence and skills.

At Natyam we train students in the Pandanallur style of Bharatnatyam. We believe that Style or bani is of least importance in a dancers career. Creativity, imagination and discipline is key to the success of any dancer. I have personally learnt Pandanallur , kalamandalam styles of Bharatanatyam and has worked in collaboration with Vazavhoor and Kalakshetra style dancers.

We also reach out to the neighboring communities through performances at the community temples, festivals, Charity shows, workshops and educational presentations at schools. Our goal is to see our students develop creativity , understanding, fluency and love for this art.

The post Natyam Academy in Dallas,Plano,Frisco,McKinney & Allen appeared first on Online Bharatanatyam.

The notes are referred to differently in both types of music. In Carnatic music, the notes are referred to as the Sapta Swaras collectively. Individually, they are referred to as Sa (Shadjam), Ri (Rishabam), Ga (Gandharam), Ma (Madhyamam), Pa (Panchamam), Da (Dheivatham), and Ni (Nishadam) respectively. In Western music, though, they are referred to with the first seven letters of the English alphabet (A, B, C, D, E, F, and G). The concept of seven notes in essence is a common factor in both types of music though.

Furthermore, the way the notes are shown on paper differ. In Carnatic, the notes are written straight across with the first letter of the Swara, or the short form of it. For example, the notes can be written the following two ways:

S R G M P D N S

or

Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa Da Ni Sa

Western music does not use this method. Instead, it depicts the notes via staff notation. In this, the notes are shown as ovals on five lines. These five lines can represent a treble clef, which is used for notes higher in pitch, or a bass clef, which is used for notes lower in pitch. An example is:

As per this example, the treble clef is the group of five lines above, while the bass clef is the group of five lines below. The ovals portrayed are the notes. Clearly, the way the notes are shown is different between these two type of music.

These two varieties of music are unique in their own ways. All the same, they remain similar in the fundamental level of music. In conclusion, both types of music are beautiful with their individual characteristics, while both have the core concepts of music embedded within them.

Photo credit: (Staff) http://www.ace-your-audition.com/how-to-read-sheet-music.html

– by Ashraya Ananthanarayanan. Ashraya has been an Online Bharatanatyam student since 2009. Ashraya is an eight grader and author of two books Ring of Hope and Aria. She was also crowned the State Spell Bee champion in 2013. She also manages the SOHAM music newsletter of Shruthilayam Academy and has won the Veena Gayathri award for proficiency in Music. She was chosen as the winner of Prathyogitha a carnatic music competition held in PA by Judge Smt. Vidya Subramanian for her vocal talent at a tender age of seven. She was proud to be featured in one of the shows of Raagarasika. She is an ardent lover of Bharatanatyam and enjoys learning under her guru Smt. Anjali Nandan. 

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