Adavus in Bharatanatyam

Adavus form the foundation of Bharatanatyam, serving as the building blocks of the dance. These are basic steps that combine precise movements of the feet, hands, and body. Every Bharatanatyam dancer begins their journey by learning adavus, practicing them repeatedly to develop the coordination, grace, and strength needed to perform more complex pieces.

There are many different types of adavus, each with its own rhythm and pattern, and they’re usually taught in sequences or sets. The beauty of adavus lies in their simplicity and precision. While they may seem straightforward, mastering them requires years of dedicated practice. A dancer needs to maintain perfect balance, posture, and timing while executing the steps. Over time, the repetitive practice of adavus helps a dancer build endurance, flexibility, and muscle memory.

Each adavu consists of specific hand gestures or mudras, foot positions, and body postures, all performed in unison. For example, the Tatta Adavu focuses on stamping the feet rhythmically while maintaining a steady upper body. Natta Adavu, on the other hand, involves bending the knees and stretching the arms in graceful patterns, creating fluid and expansive movements. The rhythmic syllables, or sollukattus, recited by the teacher help the dancer internalise the rhythm as they practice the steps.

Adavus are not just physical exercises; they teach the dancer the essential discipline and focus required in Bharatanatyam. While the steps may appear mechanical at first, over time, they become second nature to the dancer, providing a strong foundation for more expressive and complex parts of the dance.

Though adavus themselves don’t convey any emotion or narrative, they play a crucial role in setting the stage for the more dramatic and expressive aspects of Bharatanatyam. When performed with precision, they are visually striking, creating patterns and rhythms that captivate the audience. In this way, adavus lay the groundwork for both the technical and artistic beauty of Bharatanatyam, shaping the dancer into a vessel of grace, control, and rhythm.