Bharat Natyam

Here I am going to try describing some basic adavus or the set dance steps for exercising. As I have experiences recently, students usually have no problem practicing adavus in class with the help of a teacher but can not remember and practice them at home. I hope this will help to at least set a basic logic to the sequence of steps.

Tattadavu – Tatta means to tap. The body is in Araimandi (half seated position) and the feet strike the floor alternately with the flat sole. There are eight variations in this group. The sollukattu (worbal pronanciation) for this group is Taiya tai.

1st Tattadavu

Thaiyaa Thai

(one beat each foot)

2nd Tattadavu

Thaiyaa Thai, Thaiyaa Thai

(two beats each foot)

3rd Tattadavu

Thaiya Thaiya Thai, Thaiya Thaiya Thai – sollukattu for the 1st and 2nd speeds

(3 beats each foot)

Thai Thai Thaam…, Thai Thai Thaam... – sollukattu for the 3rd speed

(in 3rd speed there is a gap after 3 beats)

4th Tattadavu

Thaiya Thaiya Thaiya Thai, Thaiya Thaiya Thaiya Thai

(4 beats each foot)

5th Tattadavu

Thai Thai… Thai Thai Thaam, Thai Thai… Thai Thai Thaam

(5 beats each foot – 2 slow and 3 faster)

6th Tattadavu

Thai Thai Thaam … Thai Thai Thaam, Thai Thai Thaam … Thai Thai Thaam

(6 beats each foot, 3 beats then gap and 3 beats same foot again)

7th Tattadavu

Thai Thai Thaat

(right foot 3 beats)

That

(left foot one beat)

Thai Thai Thaam

(right foot 3 beats)

Thai Thai Thaat

(left foot 3 beats)

That

(right foot one beat)

Thai Thai Thaam

(left foot 3 beats)

8th Tattadavu

Thai Thai Thai Thai

(1 beat each foot alternatively, start with the right foot, executed in a slower tempo)

Dhit Dhit Thai…

(1 beat each foot alternatively, start with the right foot, executed in a faster tempo)

Thai Thai Thai Thai

(start with left foot left side)

Dhit Dhit Thai…