Having trouble with rebellious behavior?  Hyper-activity?  Disrespect?  What about concentration? No matter how many toys you buy them, today' children need more to keep them active and encouraged.    Bharatanatyam has been known to help with this and more. Known as the celestial dance form, Bharatnatyam is also called 'Ananda Tandavam' - the dance of happiness and joy!  It helps teach discipline in all aspects of life, develop a deep respect for both, the art form and the teacher.  It encourages poise, grace and artistic expression as well as helps develop strong and flexible bones.

Bharatanatyam is based on the theories of the books 'Natyasaasthram' and 'Abhinaya Darpanam'. The dance form is based on 'Adavu' (steps) and 'Hasthamudra' (hand gestures). There are 64 basic 'Adavu' and they are divided into 9 parts, on which 'Thattadavu', 'Naatadavu', 'Kuthithumettadavu', 'Mandiadavu', 'Sarikkal' and 'Thattumettu' are very important. Communication is done through 'bhavabhinaya' (facial expression) and 'hasthamudra' (hand gestures). The performance starts with the prayers to God Ganapathi and worship of Nataraja Moorthi. The sequence of the dance performance is 'Alarippu', 'Jathiswaram', 'Sabdam',  'Varnam', 'Padam' and 'Thillana'. After 'Thillana', with a 'Mangala Slokam' the dance program ends. Normally the performance lasts for two to two and half hours.   The costume is paijama and jacket of Kanchipuram silk and Banaras silk. The dancer wears a lot of ornaments of shining stones on neck, ears, hands, and head, jasmine garland in the hair and foot trinklet with small bells.

The music of Bharatanatyam is based on Carnatic classical music. The instruments used are Veena, Flute, Mridangam and Violin. The dance direction is done by 'Nattuvanar' giving the Thaalam using hand symbols and singing 'Vaaythari'. The Academy of Indian Music offers beginner, intermediate and advance level courses in Bharatanatyam, taught by highly trained, award winning, top-notch faculty. Click here for course details