CLASSES

Beginers

Age 3-4. No previous training. Emphasis is on creative movement.

Provide fundamental athletic training for dance
Gain strong personal work ethic
Increase confidence and self esteem
Increase athleticism, strength and flexibility

Grade 1

Basic dance steps and creative movement. One year in Beginners required. Students will be learning their Adavu and slokas. This can be used as a basis for all dance styles as its techniques and discipline demand a high level of performance, athleticism and ability for both males and females. To be introduced to performance.

Develop individual style and originality
Develop line, placement, and focus of classical jazz
Develop confidence and facial expression
Increase body awareness, rhythm and musicality

Grade 2
Ages 5 or up. Basic steps technique with 2-3 years prior training.

Introducing new adavus. Will be conducting grade 1 exam. Students will get the change to perform on satge. Students will be understanding the different movement styles in bharathanatyam.

Grade 1 Exam will be based on: Namaskaram and it's important, Thiyanaslokam, Muthras (single and double hand gestures), Bhava Raga Thala explanation, Thaddadavu(8), Naddadavu (8), Tha thei thei tha (4), Kuthiththu meddadavu (4), Thiya Theiyie (4), Thath thei thaha (4), Thath thei tham (2). Students will be learning all adavus with thalas (all 3 speeds)

Increase musicality and sound interpretation
Further develop patterning and memory
Introduce improvisation individually and in a group dynamic

Grade 3

Beginner and grade 1-2 required for 3-4 years prior training. 1 or 2 classes per week.

Grade 2 Exam will be based on: All grade 1 exam with Tha thei tham (4), Mandiyadavu (4), Thi theintha thathei (3), Thei theitha tha (3), Kathari adavu (1), Sarukkal adavu (1), Utsanga adavi (1), Thi thi thei (2), Thei thei thithi thei (1), Tha thin kina thom (1), Kidathaka tharikida thom (1), Thaddimeddadavu (5 panjanadai), Meiyadavu, and

THEORY preparaton inclueds distribution of genstures, essence of imagination, Aranga thevatha shuthi, Bhethas, Lakshanas of bharathanatyam, Lakshanas of dance pieces. ALARIPPU.

Students will be learning all adavus with thalas (all 3 speeds)

Development musicality, rhythm, coordination, flexibility, strength, poise, self-discipline and personal confidence.
Develop a personal style injected with emotion, personal experience and artistic express

Grade 4

Ages 8 and up. Must attend previous grades 4-5 years prior training or Must have prior dance experience. Two classes/week required. dancing develops musicality and rhythm, co-ordination, and helps build a technically stronger dancer. This dance will allow you to improve your memory skills while increasing your cardio vascular strength and muscle tone.

Grade 3 Exam will be based on: All grade 1-2 exam with Jathiswaram, Sabdam, Keerthanam, Oral examination.

THEORY preparaton inclueds application of gestures, Hasthas (Theva hastha, Thasavatharahastha, Navagraha hastha, Jathi hastha) to be learned with appropriate Bhathabedas, Pushpanjali definition, Natyakarmam, The history of K. Ponnaiyapillai contribution to bharathanatyam, History of natyam (Purana History, Factual History)

Grade 5

Ages 10 and up. Must attend previous grades 4-5 years prior training or Must have prior dance experience. Two or three classes/week required. Dancing develops musicality and rhythm, co-ordination, and helps build a technically stronger dancer. This dance will allow you to improve your memory skills while increasing your cardio vascular strength and muscle tone.

Moving in response to a variety of sounds, music, images, and feelings. Movement sequences based on choreographic forms. Creative process, with emphasis on selecting and combining. Comparing techniques associated with particular dance styles. Distinguishing features of dances from a variety of contexts. personal opportunities for dance in the community. Rehearsing dance for presentation. And analysing own and others’ dance work.

Grade 4 Exam will be based on: All grade 1-3 exam with Gowthuvam, Patham and Thillana. Including oral examination.

THEORY preparaton inclueds Lakshanas of (Bhatra Lakshanas, Abhatra Lakshanas),

The concepts of (Kinkini, Sabhanayaka (Presiding Deity)), Bhatra anthapranan and Bhatra bahipranan, Bhantavya hasta, Paathabethangal, Four abhinayas, Explanation of anga, pratyanga and Upanga, The concepts of adcharakala, The various aspects of classical dances and description of them, The various books on dances and details of the authors, The various aspects (kurieedukal) that are used in writing Jathi, The history of the following composers and the contributions they made to the growth and development of Bharathanatiyam “ Thanjai Naalvar” (Ponniah, Sivanantham, Sinnniah, Vadivelu), Tandava, hasya, jaati, jati. Kati, expression of gestures, natyatharmi, logatharmi.

Grade 6

Ages 12 and up. Must attend previous grades 5-6 years prior training or Must have prior dance experience. Two or three classes/week required. Dancing develops musicality and rhythm, co-ordination, and helps build a technically stronger dancer. This dance will allow you to improve your memory skills while increasing your cardio vascular strength and muscle tone.

Creative process, with emphasis on combining and refining. Elements of movement in combination. Principles of movement. Comparing dances from a variety of contexts. Personal opportunities for dance • Rehearsing dance for presentation • Performance skills • Analysing own and others’ dance work.

Grade 5 Exam will be based on: All grade 1-4 exam with Varnam, Ashdapathi, Thevaram and you make your own Korvai in Adi, Rupakam, Kandam, Mishram Thalas. Plus Oral Examination.

THEORY preparation inclueds definition of Bhavas (Isthayi, Vibhava, Anubhava, Viyabisari, Saathvika), Rasapprakaranam (Navarasam), Shringaram and it's explanations, Nayaki and Nayaka lakshanas, Jath bedas and Gathi bedas, The life history of the great artist "Meenadchi Sundarampillai" and the contributions she made to the tradional art “Bharatham”

Grade 7

Ages 14 and up. Must attend previous grades 5-6 years prior training or Must have prior dance experience. Two or three classes/week required. Movement sequences based on pattern and narrative choreographic forms • Creative process, with emphasis on refining and reflecting • Elements of movement in a variety of combinations • Principles of movement • Demonstrating techniques associated with dance styles and items • Comparing dances from a variety of contexts • Personal opportunities for lifelong participation in dance • Rehearsing dance for specific performance settings • Performance skills • Analysing own and others’ choreography and performances.

Grade 6 Exam will be based on: All grade 1-5 exam with the following items.

1. Pushpanjali

2. Thodayamangalam

3. Javeli

4. Jatiswaram (2nd aspect)

5. Keerthanam (2nd aspect)

6. Padam (2nd aspect)

7. Virutham

8. Thirupuhal

9. Must be competent in concluding adavus in all five steps (nadaikal), including

formation and performance.

10. The student should be able to perform the dance that is provided in the form of

aspects (kurieedu) to develop thirmanam.

THEORY preparation in the contributions of the following accompanying instruments in performance of Bharathanatiyam (Tampura, Mridangam, Violin, Veena, Flute. Folk dances and their aspects (Kummi, Kolattam, Karagam, Kavadi. Three of the important classical dances: Bharata Natyam, Kathakali, Kuchupidi. The essence of “Koothumarapu”.

The life history of the following great artists and the contributions they made to

the tradional art “Bharatham” Rukminidevi Arundale, Balasaraswati, Erambu Suppiah.

The Resurgence of “Bharata Natyam”.

Grade 8 - Teacher's Grade

Ages 15 and up. Must attend previous grades 5-6 years prior training or Must have prior dance experience. Two or three classes/week required. This dance will allow you to improve your memory skills while increasing your cardio vascular strength and muscle tone. Creative process, with emphasis on refining and reflecting • Elements of movement in a variety of combinations • Principles of movement • Demonstrating techniques associated with dance styles and items • Comparing dances from a variety of contexts • Personal opportunities for lifelong participation in dance • Rehearsing dance for specific performance settings • Performance skills • Analysing own and others’ choreography and performances.

Grade 7 Exam will be based on: All grade 1-6 exam with the following items. More theroy and practical will aplly to this Teacher's grade examination.

Allarippu (kanada), Varnam (2nd aspect), Thillana (2nd aspect), Virutham/Slokam/Pillaithamil, Folk Dances (Kummi, Kolattam, Karagam, Kavadi), Choreographing abhinaya for a given lyric, Abhinayas for the navarasas,

Preparing a 45-minute rendering of one aspect of a classical dance

(Pushpanjali, Varnam, Keerthanam,Padam and Thillana)

THEORY preparation in the Other Indian classical dances: Mohini attam, Odissi, Kathak, Manipuri.Thalathasapranangal. Kuravanji, Bagavathamelam, Yaksha gana. Seven types of Tandava. Lakshanas or dance/drama. Natya aranga lakshanas (Lighting, Sound system, Oppanai (makeup), Stage).

The use of various media for teaching and enjoyment of dance (Radio, TV,

Recorded Tape, Recording equipment, computer etc).

An introduction to the dances of the west, Far East, Southeast Asia.

The growth of Bharata Natyam in Eelam.

Teaching Modules:

1. The nature and characteristics a dance teacher must possess.

2. The traditional practice of classical dances and their positions today.

3. Human development in Bharata Natyam traditions

4. The and means to overcome shortcomings in anga, laya and facial expressions

5. Candidates will be tested in how they teach students of Grade 1, 2, and 3.

6. Preparing and choreographing a dance drama.

In the practical examination, when creative factors are assessed, characters and their