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Bharatanatyam Basics: Thattadavu 1 to 8 for Beginners

Bharatanatyam Basics: Thattadavu 1 to 8 for Beginners — video by Nartana School of Dance Play · 12:28

Video by Nartana School of Dance on YouTube · Open on YouTube

Nartana School of Dance (Kalakshetra and Vazhuvoor styles) shows the first eight thattadavu, the striking steps that begin Bharatanatyam, the classical dance of Tamil Nadu, each from the aramandi half-sit in three speeds. The school says to learn with a guru and use this as a reference.

  • 12 min
  • Beginner
  • Moderate impact
  • No equipment

Good forDancing for fun

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Step by step 8

Tap a time to watch that step in the video.

  1. Aramandi: a half-sit with the knees bent outwards, torso straight and hands on the waist. 0:24
  2. Adavus 1 and 2: striking steps from the right leg in first, second and third speed, then back down. 0:36
  3. Adavu 3: three strikes on each leg, holding aramandi. 2:42
  4. Adavu 4: four strikes on each leg, keeping the body straight. 3:54
  5. Adavu 5: a one-two, one-two-three rhythm across five strikes. 5:08
  6. Adavu 6: three plus three, six strikes on the same leg. 6:32
  7. Adavu 7: a seven-count pattern on the right, then on the left, in three speeds. 8:22
  8. Adavu 8: alternate legs for seven counts, with the eighth count silent. 10:25

The steps are a summary in our words, checked against the video — the coach shows every move.

Form cues from the coach

  • Hold aramandi: knees bent outwards and the torso straight throughout
  • Start each adavu with the right leg, speed up through three speeds, then come back down
  • Adavu 8 alternates legs for seven counts and keeps the eighth count silent

What it works

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Joints it uses 3 takes load

  • Hips takes loadaramandi with the knees turned out
  • Knees takes loadaramandi half-sit held throughout
  • Ankles & feet takes loadfoot strikes in every adavu, three speeds

A guide to the joints this video’s moves load, from what the coach does — not medical advice. Some ache is normal; stop if a joint hurts sharply. How joints are rated

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Video by Nartana School of Dance; the summary, steps, cues, body areas and joint notes are Notbroken’s, written from what the coach actually does in the video and checked a second time. Warm up first, take the easier options until a move feels easy, and stop if you feel sharp pain, chest pain or dizziness. General instruction, not advice for your body. About & safety