Playlist 69: Tishra Alaripu
The Alaripu is the very first piece taught to a student of Bharatanatyam and is also the traditional opening to a performance. The word Alaripu means “to blossom,” symbolizing the gradual opening of the body and mind — like a flower — to the dance.
The Tishra Alaripu is based on tishra (three-beat) patterns, and the sollukattu is most often recited in Rūpaka tāla. It begins with simple rhythmic phrases and expands into progressively complex patterns, embodying the idea of unfolding.
Physically, the Tishra Alaripu trains isolations of the head, neck, shoulders, arms, and torso, demanding precision, control, and perfect alignment. Each body part must move distinctly while remaining in coordination with the tala. Though it seems simple on the surface, it is in fact difficult because of the intense control and stamina required.
Thus, the Tishra Alaripu serves two purposes: pedagogically, it is the dancer’s first lesson in rhythm, concentration, and body control; symbolically, it represents the “blossoming” of both dancer and performance — a pure, rhythmic invocation before the more expressive pieces unfold.
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The complete Raadha Kalpa Warm Up: Level 2
This Warm- up adds a few more variations to the previously introduced warm-up and expects that your strength has progressed, so please make certain that you have practised the following though the past months, atleast 5 times each, slowly with awareness before doing this warm-up.
Legs and core 1...
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Musical Series: Arms
This sequence of exercises reinforces ideas that have already been introduced in the previous instructed series for the Arms. It is recommended to start on the musical series only once you have practised the instructed series over several months, so you already have internal awareness of alignmen...
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The Natyarambha Position: Flipping the elbow
The positions of the arms are often neglected, without attention to the correct muscular engagement. This series will introduces various usages of the arms in exercises and Bharatanatyam and go through systematically how the position and engagement of muscles should be in each scenario.
What is ...
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Kuditta Thattadavu
This Adavu is referred to as the "Ta tai ta ha adavu" by some people. It is also called the Yegar Thattadavu. 'Yegar' and 'Kuditta', both mean jump. There is a small jump/ snatch onto the balls of the feet and then a strike. The first series will address the basic Kuditta tattaduvu. The many vari...
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Kudiita Thattaduvu
Pointers for Kuditta Thattadavu:
Try to go down instead of hopping up each time you snatch onto your heels.
Keep dropping your tailbone and pushing your thighs back.
When you bend to the side, elongate your lower side, so the length of your top side and bottom side remain the same.
Do not push... -
Mandi Adavu : Instructions
The Mandi adavu is named such because there is a small jump on the balls of the feet after which the knee is placed on the ground.
Things to remember:
- stay lifted as much as possible without sitting on the heels
- keep pushing the thighs back and the heels forward to keep your muscles engaged... -
Mandi 1st speed
The Mandi Adavu gets it's name from the movement that involves the knee being placed on the ground alternately.
It is very important to do the exercises that strengthen the legs substantially and do all the exercises for Araimandi for a long period of time before embarking on this Adavu.
Boun...
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Tishra Alaripu: Episode 1
The Alaripu is the very first piece taught to a student of Bharatanatyam and is also the traditional opening to a performance. The word Alaripu means “to blossom,” symbolizing the gradual opening of the body and mind — like a flower — to the dance.
The Tishra Alaripu is based on tishra (three-be...
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Tishra Alaripu: Episode 2
The Alaripu is the very first piece taught to a student of Bharatanatyam and is also the traditional opening to a performance. The word Alaripu means “to blossom,” symbolizing the gradual opening of the body and mind — like a flower — to the dance.
The Tishra Alaripu is based on tishra (three-be...
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Tishra Alaripu
The Alaripu is the very first piece taught to a student of Bharatanatyam and is also the traditional opening to a performance. The word Alaripu means “to blossom,” symbolizing the gradual opening of the body and mind — like a flower — to the dance.
The Tishra Alaripu is based on tishra (three-be...
