Bharatanatyam Unveiled: Origins, Pandanallur Style, and Fundamental Adavus

The Origin and History of Bharatanatyam

Ancient sculptural panels showcasing traditional artistry.

Bharatanatyam traces its roots to the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu, where it was performed as a sacred offering to Lord Shiva, the cosmic dancer (Nataraja).

This dance form is deeply connected to the Natya Shastra, the oldest known text on performing arts, which outlines the rules of movement, expression, stagecraft, and rhythm.

In the past, Bharatanatyam was performed by Devadasis, temple dancers who dedicated their lives to preserving art, spirituality, and tradition. Over time, this dance form moved from temple courtyards to larger cultural stages, evolving while still holding onto its spiritual essence.

Today, Bharatanatyam is not only a classical art but also a powerful medium of cultural storytelling, discipline, and artistic expression.

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What Makes the Pandanallur Style Special?

A serene gathering of our students with Lord Krishna.

The Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam is known for its elegance, precision, and emphasis on clean, controlled movement. It is often described as graceful yet grounded, giving dancers a strong technical structure while maintaining artistic expressiveness.

The Pandanallur style focuses on:

• Precise, linear movements that create clean lines.

• Graceful, elegant poses rooted in traditional aesthetics.

• Strong posture and alignment, essential for classical technique.

• Refined footwork and disciplined timing.

At Dharshanodiyaa, students are trained to understand not just the movements, but also the cultural and emotional depth behind each gesture and posture. This approach builds both confidence and authenticity in performance.

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Understanding Basic Adavus

Adavus are the basic building blocks of Bharatanatyam. Every movement, choreography, and performance is built upon these foundational steps.

We ensure that each student masters the adavus with discipline and clarity before moving to advanced techniques and choreography.

A poised display of Mandi Adavu

Below are the essential adavus taught at our school:

1. Tatta Adavu – Stamping Feet in Rhythm

Tatta Adavu teaches the dancer to stamp the feet in synchrony with rhythm. It builds musical awareness, body alignment, stability, and strong leg control—forming the base for all future adavus.

2. Natta Adavu – Sharp, Precise Steps

Known for its clean leg stretches and coordinated arm movements, Natta Adavu enhances posture, flexibility, and precision. It is one of the most visually striking and commonly used adavus in choreography.

3. Paraval Adavu – Gliding and Travelling Steps

Paraval Adavu introduces graceful movement across space. Instead of staying in one spot, the dancer glides smoothly from one point to another while maintaining balance, elegance, and rhythmic timing. This adavu teaches stage coverage and controlled travelling.

4. Kuditta Mettu – Hopping Movements

This adavu involves gentle hops followed by rhythmic heel movements. It builds agility, coordination, and quick reaction to rhythm while keeping the dancer light and graceful.

5. Jaaru Adavu – Sliding Movements

Jaaru Adavu focuses on sliding the feet smoothly across the floor, transitioning from one position to another without breaking flow. This adavu develops fluidity, control, and graceful transitions—important features of the Pandanallur style.

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Techniques That Bring Bharatanatyam to Life

Beyond basic steps, Bharatanatyam includes several intricate components that give the dance its meaning and depth.

Mudras (Hand Gestures)

Each hand gesture, or hasta, carries specific meaning. Mudras help convey objects, emotions, actions, and stories. Examples include:

• Pataka (flat hand)

• Tripataka (three-part flag)

• Ardhapataka (half flag)

Bhava (Expression)

Bhava refers to the dancer’s facial expressions and emotional communication. It transforms a movement into a story and connects the dancer to the audience.

Nritta (Pure Dance)

This is the technical aspect of Bharatanatyam—footwork, patterns, symmetry, and posture—performed without expressive storytelling.

Nritya (Expressive Dance)

Nritya blends movement with emotion, using expression and mudras to narrate stories, especially from mythology.

Natya (Drama and Interpretation)

Natya involves acting, storytelling, and dramatic representation. It is used in performances where characters and narratives are brought to life.

Talam & Laya (Rhythm and Tempo)

Bharatanatyam dancers learn to follow rhythmic cycles, adjusting movement to match tempo changes while maintaining precision and grace.

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Conclusion

Bharatanatyam is much more than a dance form—it is a discipline that nurtures confidence, creativity, cultural understanding, and emotional expression.

At Dharshanodiyaa School of Bharatanatyam, we are committed to preserving the purity of the Pandanallur style while making classical dance accessible and enjoyable for students of all ages.

Through structured training in adavus, rhythm, mudras, nritta, nritya, and natya, our students grow not just as dancers but as confident, expressive performers who appreciate the beauty and depth of this ancient art.