Adavu Intro

After understanding what is namaskar (salutation), we could move on to steps - the building blocks of the pure dance / Nritta Bharathanatyam. The Technical Lingo for steps is Adavu in Bharathanatyam jargon.

Adavus are comprised of the sthanakamm, Nritta Hasta and Chari.

• Sthanakam – Posture (Eitherin the typical araimandi(half sit), standing or full sitting posture(Muzhumandi)
• Nritta Hasta- Hasta/hand getures and their movement
• Chari- the Foot work

Adavus are usually practiced in 3 speeds/kaalams.
These are considered building blocks of Korvais/Jathis in Nritta. Coincidentally 108 adavus are recognized. Most competent classes teach atleast 75 adavus. It may a take a student 3 months to 1 year to complete these depending on one’s exposure to the art form, age, potential and grasp etc.
All the four done in synchronization with Rhythm or Tala is ADAVU. Every Adavu will have certain number of steps and would have a BOL or syllable like “Tai Ya- Tai Hi”.

Following are the Ten important Adavus:

1. Tatta Adavu
2. Natta Adavu
3. Visharu Adavu (Mardita Adavu or Paraval Adavu)
4. Tattimitti Adavu
5. Tirumanam Adavu
6. Murka Adavu
7. Jati Adavu
8. Kuditamitta Adavu
9. Mandi Adavu
10. Sarikal Adavu

Learning just the adavus and practicing them for a while helps the students to :
1. to develop flexibility and overcome the initial muscle cramps and sore feet at the beginning stages.
2. attain right posture
3. develop stamina
4. become aware to the sense of Talam (Rhythm) and kalam (speed)
5. become Swift and agile and attain control over the body.