Thattu Adavu (29 June 2023)

 Thatta Adavu


Number of variations - Commonly 8


Chollukettu

1 & 2- Thayya Thai

3   - Thayya Thayya Thai

4 - Thayya Thayya Thayya Thai

5 - Thayya Thayyi Thai Thai Tham

6 - double of 3

7 - Thai Thai That That Thai Thai Tham

8 - double of 4


Posture - Aramandalam


Hastas - Pathaka hands held in Natyarambha position


Paada Bhedas - Sama Padam (feet hitting flat on the ground)


The very first set of Adavus that a Bharathanatyam dancer learns is the Thatta Adavu.

8 variations are commonly taught under this set of Adavus.

Some banis teach Thatta Adavus to chollukettu - Tha Ka Dhi Mi, while other banis have an array of chollukettus for 1-8 of these adavus.

Chollukettus are set to Eka Taalam mostly.

Thatta Adavus are an important foundational set of adavus. The posture of Aramandalam which is characteristic of bharathanatyam is the posture in which the steps are executed. The student learns to be stable in aramandalam and at the same time lift their feet off the ground while keeping their torso and upper body firm and still.

Challenges for a beginner  As

- Maintaining the aramandalam posture.

- Lifting feet off the floor and tapping it back in the same position.

- Keeping upper body firm and still while executing the adavu.


This basic adavu is crucial in setting the foundation for correct physical posture as well as mental composure.

I have always been amazed by the transformation it brings in students as they learn Thatta Adavus. They initially would do it with a lot of noise or unnecessary movements. But as they progress, their bodies understand how to cancel out unnecessary movements. They learn the most crucial concept in dance - Neat and clean movements. The foot movements in these adavus may seem simple, but they teach the student another important lesson - the skill of how to use firm and soft movements appropriately. Tiny tots especially would start off with "stomping" movements. But gradually they understand how to use the feet movement gracefully. Its a delicate balance of firmness and softness.






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