Naatta Adavu(04 December 2023)

 Naatta Adavu


Cholkettu - Thaiyyum That That Thayhi Ya Ha

Hastas/Mudras - Thripathaka, Katakamukha and Alapadma

Posture - Aramandalam and Alhida

Paada Behdas - Sama Paadam and Anchitha


The word "Nattuka or Naatu" means to stretch. And that is the main movement involved in Naatta Adavu.

This set of steps/adavus are taught right after Thatta Adavu. The progression of this has been well thought out. Once the dancer gets her balance in the aramandalam posture and can do her Thattu perfectly in Thatta Adavu, he/she is now ready to move to the next very important aspect of movement. Analyzing how to distribute weight when body moves from a stable to a stretched posture is critical when learning Natta Adavu.

Stretching the legs out to the side/front/back is the main leg movements involved. These are accompanied by co-ordinated hand movements with either Tripathaka or Katakamukha/Alapadma hastas. The hand/palm movements are little more intricate than that done in the Thatta Adavus.

In the first few natta adavus the tripathala hasta is flipped firmly and neatly in conjunction with the stretching of the legs. In later adavus the students is introduced to the idea of shifting from one mudra/hasta to the other. For example in the 7th and 8th natta adavus, the student shifts from Katakamukha to Alapadma.

The 8th adavu also combines different postures of Aramandalam, muzhumandalam and samam (in some banis). This prepares the dancers to easily shift between the different postures which is a critical skill required as they move to the next levels of adavus.

Natta Adavu is a major step for a student of dance to get a sense of aligning the body during movement and getting a good sense of balance.








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