Bharatanatyam
A classical dance form built on rhythm, gesture and expression. Students are guided from the first posture to a full stage debut, with Gandharva examinations for eligible levels.
- Age Criteria
- Age criteria are set for each batch. The desk shares the current details on WhatsApp.
- Batch Details
- Batch slots depend on level and age group. Ask for the latest list on WhatsApp.
- Assessment
- Gandharva examinations at eligible levels, with practical and, where applicable, theory preparation.
- Stage
- Arangetram, temple and cultural stages, and the annual auditorium festival.
About This Art Form
Bharatanatyam is one of India’s classical dance forms, rooted in temple traditions. A performance joins nritta (pure movement and rhythm), nritya (expressive dance) and natya (dramatic storytelling).
What You Will Learn
- Adavus
- Mudras
- Jathis
- Varnams
From the first adavu to the Arangetram stage, in the guru–shishya tradition.
How We Teach Bharatanatyam
Walk through the steps one by one to see what a student practises at each stage.
Adavus
The alphabet of Bharatanatyam. Adavus are the basic units that combine a stance, a footwork pattern, a hand position and a movement of the body, practised in groups to a steady beat.
- Araimandi, the half-seated posture, held steadily
- Tatta, natta and other foundation adavu groups
- Counting the beat aloud before speeding up
Hastas & Mudras
Hand gestures that carry meaning. Students learn the single-hand and double-hand gestures described in the classical texts, then practise moving between them smoothly.
- Shape and placement of each hasta
- Using gestures for objects, ideas and emotions
- Smooth transitions between gestures
Jathis
Sequences of rhythmic syllables turned into pure dance. Students learn to keep the tala with their hands, speak the syllables and match footwork precisely to the beat.
- Keeping the tala with hand beats
- Reciting syllables while dancing
- Clean, even footwork at different speeds
Abhinaya & Varnams
Abhinaya is the art of expression through eyes, face and gesture. The varnam, the centrepiece of the repertoire, joins pure dance with storytelling and tests everything learned so far.
- Eye movements and facial expression
- Telling a story through sanchari bhava
- Learning and performing a full varnam
Arangetram
The debut recital. The student presents a complete repertoire on stage under the guru’s guidance, marking the formal arrival of the shishya as a performer.
- Preparing the full repertoire
- Stage presence and stamina
- Rehearsals with live accompaniment
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about joining and progress.
How Do I Find Out the Age Criteria and Batch Timings?
Age criteria and batch slots are set for each batch. Message the academy desk on WhatsApp with the student’s age and the discipline, and the desk replies with the current options.
How Are Students Assessed in Bharatanatyam?
Gandharva examinations at eligible levels, with practical and, where applicable, theory preparation.
How Does a Student Move From One Step to the Next?
The guru decides when a student is ready, after correction and revision in class. The step-by-step path on this page shows the order in which each skill is learned.
Join Bharatanatyam
Message the academy desk with the student’s age and the discipline you are interested in, and we will reply with the current batch details.