Bharatanatyam By Anjali

TattiMetti Adavu in Bharatanatyam

Anjali — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:01:09 +0000

“Tatti ” means to tap (like in Tatta adavu) and “Metti ” means a heel contact with the floor. For Metti one must first be on the toes (either a jump on the toes or just striking a toe) and then flatten the feet while the toes are already firm on the ground. TattiMetti is one of the most important adavus and these steps are often used in Jatiswarams and Tillanas. I personally love the adavu for its crisp movements. The sollukettu is Tat Tai Ta Ha Dhit Tai Ta Ha.

Visharu Adavu in Bharatanatyam

Anjali — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:35:03 +0000

Visharu Adavu involves swinging of hands in different directions ie sideways, up and down. Leg movements are simple and straight in one line. A Concept of shoulder pulls is also introduced later here. This Adavu is also called as Mardita adavu or Paraval adavu. The mudras used are Alapadma, katakamukha, Tripataka and Pataka. The sollukettu or Bols for this adavu is Ta Tai Tai Ta Dhit Tai Tai Ta.

Click on the links below to watch the video of each step

Kurma Hand Gesture (Mudra)

Anjali — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:59:19 +0000

While the hands are in chakra hasta, bend all the fingers (except the thumb and the little fingers) and hold the palms tight.

Lets take a look at the viniyoga shloka

Kurmarthe viniyujyate

The shloka says that this hasta is used to denote a Tortoise. The Kurma Avatar of Lord Vishnu is also denoted by this Hasta.

Matsya Hand Gesture (Mudra)

Anjali — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:56:40 +0000

When the right palm is placed over the back of left palm, both palm being in Ardhachandra hasta.

Lets take a look at the viniyoga shloka

etasya viniyogastu sammatau matsyadarshane

It says that this gesture is used to denote a Fish. The Matsya Avatara of Lord Vishnu is also denoted by this gesture.

We have a New Look!

Anjali — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 16:55:36 +0000

As you can see we have a new design for the site now. Please feel free to add you comments and opinion on this make over.

Also mail me in case you find any issues or bloopers

Samputa Hand Gesture (Mudra)

Anjali — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:02:39 +0000

When the fingers in Chakra hasta are bent in such a way that there is a hollow at the center of the palm we get the Samputa Hasta.

lets take a look at the viniyoga shloka of Samputa

Varvacgade sampute cha samputah krah iritaha

It says that Samputa is used to denote

1. Concealment of objects. It can be used to show secrets or something that is kept safely. it can also denote something that is hidden.

2. To show the chest.

TattiMetti Adavu Sixth Step (video)

Anjali — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:34:33 +0000

This is the final post for Tattimetti Adavu. I am sure with so much of variations given, we can still derive a few more with our imagination.

Read the explanation of the following video here.

TattiMetti Adavu Sixth Step

Anjali — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:52:04 +0000

This step is slightly different from the earlier ones. The Bols are the same Tat Tai Ta Ha Dhit Tai Ta Ha.

Lets take a look at how the sixth step is different.
1. Be in ardhamandal posture. Place your hands close to the chest in Tripataka .

2. Jump on your toes. Hands are in Tripataka hasta close to the chest and facing up. See to it that the elbows donot drop down. Hold them firm. Say Tat.

3. Tap your right leg while the left leg is still raised. Bend your upperbody to the right side. See to it that your body does not bend forward. You must feel the stretch on your waist on left side. Hands are placed below the shoulder level, stretched in tripataka hasta. Say Tai.

4. Jump on your toes again. Hands are in Tripataka hasta close to the chest and facing up. Like we did in 2 above. Hold them firm. Say Ta.

5. Now tap your left leg while the right leg is raised (on the toes). Bend your upperbody to the left side. Left hand is placed below the shoulder level, stretched in Tripataka hasta facing down. The right hand is placed close to the chest in tripataka hasta facing up. Say Ha. (Like 3 above).

6. Yet another jump on the toes. Right hand is stretched upward in a 45 dregree angle to the face on the right side in tripataka hasta facing out. Left hand is placed close to the chest in tripataka hasta facing down. Say Dhit.

7. Now tap your right leg while the left leg is raised (on the toes). The right hand that is kept at the 45 degree angle is turned such that Tripataka hasta faces inwards. The left hand that is placed at the chest is also turned such that Tripataka hasta faces up. Say Tai.

8. Again jump on the toes. Left Hand is now placed on the left side in a 45 degree angle to the face (like we did for 6 above). Right hand is placed close to the chest in tripataka hasta facing down. Say Ta.

9. Now tap your left leg while the right leg is raised (on the toes). The left hand that is kept at the 45 degree angle is turned such that Tripataka hasta faces inwards. The right hand that is placed at the chest is also turned such that Tripataka hasta faces up. Say Ha.

Now begin this step from the left hand side. I shall be posting the video soon.

TattiMetti Adavu Fifth Step (video)

Anjali — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:24:32 +0000

Here is the Video for the fifth step. For all the steps 1-5 the leg movements are the same. In all the videos the leg movements are shown so that it is easy for your reference. Read the explanation of the fifth step here.

Tattimetti Adavu Fifth step

Anjali — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:02:19 +0000

In the fifth step of TattiMetti Adavu the leg movements are the same. Here the torso bends side ways. The Bols are Tat Tai Ta Ha Dhit Tai Ta Ha. Watch the video here.

1. Be in Ardhamandala posture with hands held in Tripatka held close to the chest.

2. Tap your right leg. The right hand is placed below the shoulder level in Tripataka hasta facing the front. The left hand is held close to the chest in Tripataka pointing at an angle. Bend your upper body (Torso) to the right side. say Tat.

3. In the same position above tap your left leg. Say Tai.

4. Jump on your toes. From the above placement of hands just swing your right hand above the head in Tripataka hasta. Say Ta.

5. Now Tap your right leg, while the left leg is still on toes. The hands are brought back like in 2 above. Say Ha.

Just mirror the above steps for Dhit Tai Ta Ha.

6. Then tap your left leg. The left hand is placed below the shoulder level in Tripataka hasta facing the front. The right hand is held close to the chest in tripataka. Bend your upper body (Torso) to the right side. Say Dhit.

7. In the same position above tap your left leg. Say Tai.

8. Jump on your toes. From the above placement of hands just swing your left hand above the head in tripataka hasta. Say Ta.

9. Now Tap your left leg, while the right leg is still on toes. The hands are brought back like in 6 above. Say Ha.