Could you please tell me the popular 'Adavu's' names, how many steps are in it and the beats?
Dear Prof. Sudharani,
I wanted to know if there is a good video cassette as well as audio cassette that i can purchase to practice adavus on a daily basis......i have learned dance for few years, I was forced to leave dance since i left India and haven't been able to keep in touch ever since. iam craving to get back to dance and is intending on practicing adavus, and other items... so it will be extremely helpful if u culd suggest some video cassette has all adavu's in it......your advice in this regard will be greatly appreciated..
...This is a preview of the whole essay
Dear Prof. Sudharani,
I wanted to know if there is a good video cassette as well as audio cassette that i can purchase to practice adavus on a daily basis......i have learned dance for few years, I was forced to leave dance since i left India and haven't been able to keep in touch ever since. iam craving to get back to dance and is intending on practicing adavus, and other items... so it will be extremely helpful if u culd suggest some video cassette has all adavu's in it......your advice in this regard will be greatly appreciated..
Thanks,
Akshara
"the state of pure awareness, that is timeless and of indescribable beauty, pure joy and eternally auspicious— the state called Siva." It refers to Nataraja the Cosmic Dancer and explains the five cosmic activities of srishti, sthiti, samhara, tirobhava and anugraha.
The nine moods of Sri Rama has been described in a Sanskrit shloka. The following is the shloka on 'Navarasa Rama':
Shrngaaram kshithinandhini viharane, Veeram dhanurbhanjane
haasyam shoorpanamukhe, Bhayam aghe, Bheebatsam anyamukhe, Kaarunyam balibhojane, Adbhutharasam sindhau giri sthapane, Raudhro raavana mardhane, Munijane shaantham
vapuh paathunah
Translation:
Love while sporting with the daughter of Goddess earth, heroism while breaking the bow, humour on seeing the face of Shoorpanaka, fear of sins, disgust for another lady's face, compassion in the kakasura episode, wonder while placing the mountain on the ocean, anger while killing Raavana, tranquility towards sages.
aangikam bhuvanam yasya
vaachikam sarvaangmayam
aahaaryam chandhrathaaraadhi
tham numah saathikam shivam"
Natya Sasthras
Whose bodily movement is the Universe,
Whose speech is the language,
Whose ornaments are the moon and the stars,
Him we worship, the serene Lord shiva.
Named after sage Bharata, the author of Natya Shastra (manual of dramatic art), originated in temples, used to enact religious themes. Involves elaborate system of postures, hand gestures, foot movements (13 postures of the head, nine of the neck, 36 of the eye, 37 of the hand) The classic mentions 13 postures of head, 36 of the eyes, 9 of neck, 37 of the hand and 10 of the body.
Over the years, Shri Adyar Lakshman has choreographed a vast number of dances compositions. His items are well noted for their striking rhythmic passages and sensitive portrayals.
Dance Compositions of Bharatha Choodamani
Other notable Dance Drama which he assisted in choreographing during the years at Natyala are Tiruppavai, Sangat Tamizh Malai, Azhagar Kuruvanji, Chandaalika. During the choreography of Chandaalika. Shri. Lakshman had the unique opportunity to work with Pt. Ravi Shankar. During the time when Vidwan Madurai N Krishnan composed the music for the Dance Drama "Azhagar Kuruvanji" Shri. Lakshman assisted in the dance choreography. The dance drama "Varunapuri Kuruvanji" was choreographed by him in 1973.
Shri. Lakshman has also directed and composed dance sequences for 3 art films Subba Sastri Hamsageethe and Ananda Tandavam.
Why Perform Bharatanatyam?
By Srivani Dasi
Many dancers perform Bharatanatyam, but who really knows the purpose of this entertainment ? For many audiences it's just colorful, spectacular, mystical transformation, which remain behind many questions. As a Bharatanatyam dancer I would like to explain important aspects of Bharatanatyam performance.
Bharatanatyam attained cultural heritage and traditions its own individuality and dignity, and always associated with the temples in India from ancient times. The temples are not simply grand monuments which house beautiful images and employ priests to assists the faithful in their pujas. A temple is created wherever the devotee communicate with the God. This can range from the little shrine in the home to any communal setting, like a performance where the God is present.
Throughout the world, fine art is associated with religion but nowhere is this more apparent than in India where sculpture, music and dance combine to offer the most beautiful and genuine forms of devotion. Whenever and wherever Bharatanatyam is performed with integrity and devotion, a temple is created, where sculpture, music and dance combine to offer forms of devotion. In the symbolism of Bharatanatyam is hidden a deep understanding of how our Universe works. From the tiny atom to inconceivably immense intergalactic spaces. The dance is not just a beautiful symbol, but a reality, taking place within each of us this very moment. When we behold dance, the world is seen as it truly is, sacred. Through the profound emotions that the dance provokes in us, may we all transcend to a higher level of consciousness. Bharatanatyam as a form of devotional worship is given full expression through the concept of God as one's divine lover.
Rhythm and movement are basic to all creation and existence. Men, birds and beasts, plants, the earth, the planets and the stars, all are engaged in a ceaseless cosmic dance-recital, as it were. Rhythm and movement is life, and its cessation, stagnation, decay and death. Dance symbolizes both evolution and involution and springs from man's innermost creative impulses, religious urges, emotions and sensibilities. The aesthetic foundations of this art are laid on the rock foundations of spiritual sadhana or rigorous discipline leading to moksha or liberation, however fleeting and momentary in the beginning. This is an art of great thought, heart, and mind.
Whenever I'm watching performance of Bharatanatyam my heart is full of appreciation for the dancer who is like a messenger between the Supreme God and the soul.
With all my respect to the Bharatanatyam art
Srivani dasi