Adavus serve as the foundational elements of Bharatanatyam, akin to the ABCD of this classical dance form. Mastery of adavus is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of Bharatanatyam; without them, any dance performance may lack depth and appeal.

Addressing common parental concerns regarding the emphasis on adavus, practicing these foundational steps offers numerous benefits to students:

• Enhances flexibility and alleviates initial muscle cramps, facilitating a smoother transition into dance.
• Promotes correct posture, laying the groundwork for graceful movement.
• Develops stamina and confidence, enabling students to perform with poise and vigor.
• Cultivates an understanding of Talam (Rhythm) and Kalam (Speed), essential components of Bharatanatyam.
• Improves agility and control over body movements, fostering precision in dance.
• Encourages creativity, allowing students to choreograph dances using learned steps.
• Opens avenues for pursuing higher levels of dance education, such as Masters in Dance, for those passionate about the art form.
• Facilitates discernment when selecting instructional resources, enabling students to access quality content on platforms like YouTube.
• Enhances the ability to identify correct dance postures and movements, distinguishing between right and wrong techniques.
• Equips students with adaptability, enabling them to explore and engage with various dance styles.

The duration for mastering adavus varies depending on individual capacity, consistency in attendance, practice, and the effectiveness of teaching. Typically, adavus are not taught hastily in a single stretch. Instead, patience and regular practice are essential. Students can expect to spend anywhere from 2 to 4 years to proficiently learn adavus, contingent upon their dedication and commitment to learning.

Combining adavus and natyam prematurely is not advisable. Just as one must learn letters, two-letter words, and grammar before speaking fluently in a language, a solid foundation in adavus is imperative before venturing into natyams. Rushing into natyams without mastering adavus may compromise the authenticity and elegance of Bharatanatyam performances. While other teaching methods may differ, adhering to this sequential approach ensures students develop a robust understanding of the dance form.

In essence, Bharatanatyam is a profound art form with multiple layers of learning. Diligent practice and adherence to structured learning processes are paramount to achieving mastery and deriving fulfillment from this ancient dance tradition.

If you’re passionate about Bharatanatyam and seek to embark on a journey of authentic learning, Renga Nrithayalaya School provides a nurturing environment guided by a structured curriculum. Our focus lies on guiding students towards significant milestones in Bharatanatyam, such as Salangai Pooja and Arangetram, rather than diverting attention to smaller performances. We welcome dedicated learners who aspire to delve deeply into the art form and commit to its traditional teachings.

Should you have any further inquiries or wish to enroll, please feel free to reach out directly to the teacher for more information on fees and class levels.

For students who have recently joined our classes, we primarily focus on teaching basic exercises and thattadavu to lay a strong foundation. It’s essential for your daughter to enhance her body flexibility before delving into more advanced lessons. However, rest assured that our school doesn’t halt progress for students who demonstrate dedication, practice regularly, and exhibit enthusiasm.

While some students in our school have swiftly mastered 8 adavus in just 30 classes, it’s important to recognize that every student progresses at their own pace. Factors such as interest, dedication, observation, regular practice, and age all play a role in the learning journey. While we don’t expect uniform progress from all students, consistency in attendance is crucial. Extended breaks between terms may cause students to forget previously learned material, necessitating additional classes (typically 10 to 20) to regain proficiency.

Payments are collected at the commencement of each term.

The fee structure is based on the term. Please reach out directly to the teacher for details regarding fees.

• 1st Term: February – March – April (10 to 12 sessions)
• 2nd Term: May – June – July (10 to 12 sessions)
• 3rd Term: August – September – October (10 to 12 sessions)
• 4th Term: November – December (5 to 6 sessions)

Details regarding makeup classes are provided in the timetable. The school encourages parents to obtain the timetable in PDF format, print it out, and keep it handy. Both online and offline makeup class details are included.

Typically, such absences are planned during school holidays. In the event that you miss 4 to 5 classes, you can make up for them by attending compensation classes either online or at another branch. Payment is made for one term, regardless of the number of classes attended. Throughout the year, the school offers up to 14 online compensation classes, and I trust that you will not miss more classes than this. If you happen to miss more than 14 classes within a year, attending further classes would not be beneficial.

In Renga Nrithayalaya School, we follow a term-based fee structure for several reasons:

• Maintaining control over student absences, as parents ensure regular attendance.
• Upholding regularity and punctuality to optimize the value of each class.
• Implementing this structure uniformly for all students to maintain decorum and facilitate improvement, as inconsistent attendance disrupts the learning environment. Similar to school fees or fees for other private lessons, where per-class payment is not typically an option, we kindly request parents to appreciate and adhere to the term-based fee system for Indian art schools.

The decision to take a break is entirely up to you. However, if your child continues attending other classes and their regular school during this time, it’s advisable to maintain a similar approach for Bharatanatyam lessons.

The primary challenge associated with skipping lessons is the disparity that arises upon rejoining. While other students may have progressed to a different level or improved due to consistent attendance, returning students may find themselves lagging behind. It’s important for parents to refrain from comparing and demanding new lessons in such cases.

It’s common for students to take time to develop a passion for Indian arts due to their complexity and adherence to rules. If someone skips classes after a certain point, there’s a likelihood that they may need more time to review old lessons before progressing to new ones.

I want my daughter to find joy in dancing without feeling pressured. If she’s progressing slowly but still finding happiness in it, I kindly request that you allow her to continue at her own pace.

As a teacher, I have reservations about this approach. Children often take a considerable amount of time to develop an appreciation for a serious art form like Bharatanatyam. It’s akin to learning mathematics; without putting in effort and showing interest, one may never develop a fondness for it. There’s a need to provide gentle encouragement and ensure consistent attendance during the initial years of learning. Eventually, children will naturally begin to derive enjoyment from their dance journey. Learning at a slower pace is not a concern, as long as parents refrain from comparing their child’s progress with others. As a teacher, I am committed to dedicating equal effort to each and every student.

The duration varies depending on the student’s ability and consistency. However, it is essential to grasp concepts such as solkattu, nadai, and talam. Generally, this preparation period spans from 5 to 7 years.

Unfortunately, the school no longer offers demo classes. However, if you’re interested in learning, you can enroll and attend four classes. It typically takes a minimum of two terms for students to grasp the class patterns.

Since there are multiple kids and parents who keep walking into classes, talk for long during class hours, and take away the dance class times. After spending 20 minutes explaining and providing free demo class teaching exercises and basics, there’s a response from parents that they are not interested right now or they may consider coming later. Sometimes, there’s no basic manners of replying whether they will come for the next class. I personally don’t want to waste students’ time during class hours for things like this.

While we initially instruct children using counts such as 1, 2, 3, it’s crucial to understand that every adavu incorporates solkattu, which may vary for each step within the adavu. Students naturally learn solkattu through continuous exposure during classes, eliminating the need for specialized instruction in this aspect.

You can inquire with the teacher after 20 to 25 classes. Additionally, the school will provide an update at the end of each year regarding what your child has learned.

As soon as you joined Bharathanatyam, please give 6 months or 20 classes time to give an update on your kid’s performance. Wait for 6 months before questioning kid’s performance.

I understand your concern about the potential cost of Arangetram and Salangai pooja performances. It’s alarming to hear that some parents have discussed expenses reaching thousands of dollars for these events.

However, let me assure you that I am not conducting these classes and events with the intention of making excessive profits. As a full-time working professional holding a managerial position in a reputable company, I am passionate about Bharathanatyam and teach it as a means to share this beautiful art form that I have dedicated many years to learning.

I am committed to ensuring that Arangetram and Salangai pooja ceremonies are accessible and affordable for all students and their families. While these events are indeed significant milestones, I strive to keep the associated costs reasonable. Rest assured, I am not reliant on class fees or program fees to sustain myself. Instead, my focus is on fostering a love for Bharathanatyam and facilitating memorable experiences for my students.

Yes, you can pay via bank transfer, with an additional 10% GST included. Please utilize the provided bank details for the school’s business account.

For instance, if your class term fee is $100, the total payment would be $110, inclusive of the 10% GST. Alternatively, cash payments can be made without GST.

Long tops paired with comfortable pants are recommended. Please ensure to wear a bindi on your forehead. Shorts and T-shirts are not permitted.

Once your child has mastered all adavus and basic dance items, they will be prepared for Salangai Pooja. For detailed guidance on what to prepare for the program, please reach out directly to the teacher.

Students often find joy in teaching and learning from one another. This approach, which I was also taught, enhances understanding and retention of steps, solkattu, and self-correction. I facilitate student-led revision and assistance for those above 8 years old, who have been learning for more than 2 years and have completed over 10 adavus.

Yes, please contact the teacher directly. We do have all the videos to practice at home.

Why does my child not seem to learn at the same pace as some other students who quickly progress and perform Salangai pooja?

Indeed, there are instances where certain students in the class exhibit rapid learning and advancement. This can be attributed to various factors, rather than simply comparing one student to another:

1. Some students display a high level of enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.
2. Supportive parents dedicate special time each week to ensure consistent practice of newly learned material.
3. Observant students closely watch senior classmates during class, enabling them to grasp advanced steps more rapidly than anticipated.
4. The absence of unnecessary breaks facilitates continuous learning and faster improvement. Just as with school education, taking a prolonged break can impede the ability to catch up on old and new lessons without sufficient practice.

As a teacher, I avoid comparing students as I believe each individual progresses at their own pace. It’s important to recognize that every student is unique and requires their own time to comprehend and master the material. While I acknowledge that not all parents can provide dedicated practice time due to personal commitments, it’s essential to understand that the teacher alone is not solely responsible for a student’s performance.

I’ve established the practice of chanting “RAM RAM” at the start and conclusion of each class. Instead of using conventional greetings like hello or good morning, I believe it’s beneficial to invoke the name of the Almighty. Many parents in my class also adopt this practice when initiating conversations with me, fostering a sense of reverence for Bhagavan.

Due to the limited classes that we have in a year, the school wishes to focus on proper Bharathanatyam and reaching the first milestone of Salangai Pooja.

After 3 years of continuous learning and the ones who attend 100+ classes, especially learnt 10+ adavus are allowed to participate in community events to perform Bharathanatyam.

1. 2-3 private sessions will be conducted for the students interested to participate.
2. additional session fee will be collected for this practice lessons
3. there may be charges on costume, jewellery, and makeup.
4. parents to commit 3-4 practice sessions among yourselves before performing on stage
5. based on teacher and students availability, we will have one final rehearsal session.

It’s usually for students above age 5. If your kid is not playful and has a good level of concentration, you can contact the teacher directly and attend 4 classes.

As mentioned earlier, there’s no demo class, there’s only the option of paying and attending 4 classes. Please refer to the question “Are there demo classes available?” for more explanation.

We did for 1 year and faced multiple issues. Any event will have costs associated with it. Costumes, makeup, and jewelry will also add on top of it.

Very few parents are willing to spend that money. So, we didn’t do it later after that since it wasn’t cost-effective for those few interested parents.

Another reason is comparison. All students are of Indian origin, and there’s a lot of comparison between the students’ dance abilities. This way, parents are highly disappointed if their kid is not performing like others. To perform on stage, it requires a minimum of 3 years of training with no long breaks. That’s why the school decided to do performances like Salangai pooja or arangetram through which parents can enjoy and celebrate their kids’ achievements.

Obviously YES. That’s your option. Please make sure that there’s also a 50% possibility that they may lose interest in Bharathanatyam when they learn easy dances like Bollywood or free styles. As you very well know, Indian classical dances are full of rules. So, it takes more time for kids to love this art than other dances.

Learning Bharatanatyam in Australia offers numerous benefits, enriching individuals both culturally and personally. Here are some advantages:

Cultural Enrichment: Bharatanatyam is a classical Indian dance form deeply rooted in tradition and mythology. Learning Bharatanatyam in Australia provides individuals with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Indian culture, understanding its rich heritage, stories, and values.

Physical Fitness: Bharatanatyam is a highly disciplined art form that involves rigorous training, including intricate footwork, hand gestures (mudras), and body movements. Practicing Bharatanatyam regularly promotes physical fitness, flexibility, and stamina.

Artistic Expression: Bharatanatyam is not just about mastering technical skills; it is also a medium for artistic expression. Learning Bharatanatyam allows individuals to express emotions, stories, and themes through graceful movements and facial expressions, fostering creativity and self-expression.

Improves Concentration and Discipline: Bharatanatyam requires focused attention, discipline, and dedication. Students learn to concentrate on intricate rhythmic patterns, synchronize movements with music, and maintain proper posture. These skills can translate to improved concentration and discipline in other areas of life.

Personal Growth: Beyond the technical and cultural aspects, learning Bharatanatyam fosters personal growth. It instills qualities such as perseverance, patience, self-confidence, and resilience, which are invaluable in all aspects of life.