Your First Bharatanatyam Class: What to Expect and What to Bring
What happens in a first Bharatanatyam class, what to wear and bring, basic class etiquette, how parents can help and what the first month usually feels like.
A first Bharatanatyam class usually begins with namaskaram, a salutation to the earth and the teacher, followed by a gentle warm-up, the basic stances and often the first adavu, tattadavu. Wear a practice saree or salwar kameez, tie your hair back and dance barefoot. Bring water and a notebook, and expect to repeat simple steps many times.
What happens in a first Bharatanatyam class?
Classes vary between teachers and styles, but most first lessons follow a similar shape. Nothing in it is difficult to follow. The aim is to introduce the way a class runs and the posture everything else depends on.
Namaskaram
Class begins and ends with namaskaram, a short sequence of salutation. The dancer touches the floor, asking the earth's forgiveness for stamping on it, and offers respect to the teacher. The exact movements differ slightly from school to school, and the teacher will show you their version. It also marks the change from ordinary time to practice time, which helps children settle.
Joined palms are a gesture of respect you will see everywhere in Bharatanatyam, from the classroom to the end of a recital, when dancers and musicians thank the audience.
Warm-up
Most teachers start with simple loosening of the ankles, knees, hips, shoulders and neck. Some add stretches for the inner thighs, which help with the stances that follow.
Stances
You will learn samapadam, standing straight with feet together, and araimandi, the half-seated stance with knees bent and turned outwards and heels together. Araimandi is the foundation of Bharatanatyam. In the first class the teacher will usually focus on the shape, with the knees in line with the toes and the back straight, rather than on depth. Some teachers also introduce muzhumandi, the full-seated stance, later on.
First adavus
Adavus are the basic units of movement. The first is normally tattadavu, striking the floor with the flat of the foot in araimandi while the teacher keeps time with rhythmic syllables. You will practise it slowly, in the first speed, many times. Our article on adavus as the building blocks of Bharatanatyam explains how the steps progress. Some teachers also show a hand gesture or two, such as Pataka, the flat open hand; see mudras in Bharatanatyam for more.
What to wear to a Bharatanatyam class
- Practice saree: a cotton saree, pleated and tied so you can bend your knees fully. Your teacher can show you how dancers tie it.
- Salwar kameez: fitted rather than loose, with the dupatta tied firmly around the waist so it does not trail.
- For young children: a churidar and kurta or the school's practice outfit, if there is one.
- For boys and men: a comfortable kurta or T-shirt with loose trousers or a veshti tied for movement.
- Hair: tied back in a plait or bun so it does not fall across the face.
- Feet: bare. Bharatanatyam is danced without footwear, and shoes are left outside the practice space.
- Jewellery: remove anything loose, such as long chains or bangles that might catch or distract.
You do not need salangai, the ankle bells, at first. They are usually introduced once footwork is steady, often with a small ceremony described in our article on salangai pooja.
What to bring
Keep it simple. A bottle of water is essential, because araimandi work is more tiring than it looks. A small towel helps in Chennai's heat. Older children, teens and adults should bring a notebook and pen to write down the names of the adavus, the counts and any corrections. Many students find that writing these down straight after class makes home practice far easier.
Classroom etiquette
Bharatanatyam classes keep a respectful, traditional atmosphere. A few habits help:
- Arrive a few minutes early so you can settle before namaskaram.
- Remove footwear before entering the dance space.
- Greet your teacher when you arrive and thank them when you leave.
- Keep your phone switched off or silent, and ask before filming anything.
- Do not eat in the practice space; have a light snack well before class.
- Listen to corrections given to other students too. They usually apply to you.
How parents can help
Children do best when the adults around them are calm and consistent. Bring your child on time and pick them up on time. Ask the teacher in advance whether parents may stay and watch, since practice differs from school to school. At home, encourage ten minutes of practice a few times a week, but keep it light rather than turning it into homework.
Talk about class positively, and ask your child to show you one thing they learned. Avoid comparing them with other children. Progress in the first months is mostly invisible: stronger legs, better listening, a steadier sense of rhythm. If you are not sure your child is ready, our article on the right age to start Bharatanatyam lists the signs teachers look for. Young beginners at Mayura Natyalaya join the children's batch for ages 5 to 12; the Bharatanatyam classes for kids page has the details.
A first-class checklist
- Practice saree or fitted salwar kameez, ready and comfortable
- Hair tied back securely
- Loose jewellery removed
- Water bottle and small towel
- Notebook and pen
- A light snack eaten at least an hour before
- Arriving a few minutes early
- Any injuries or health conditions mentioned to the teacher
What does the first month feel like?
Honestly, a little repetitive and a little sore. Expect your thighs and calves to ache for a day or two after the early classes, as araimandi works muscles most people rarely use. This settles within a few weeks. Sharp pain in the knees is different and should be mentioned to your teacher straight away. Our guide to araimandi and safe practice explains correct alignment.
You will spend a lot of time on a few adavus, and that is deliberate. Clean basics make everything later easier. By the end of the first month most students know namaskaram, can hold araimandi for short stretches and can perform their first adavus in time with the teacher's rhythm. Adults starting out can read learning Bharatanatyam as an adult, and the adult classes page describes the adult and working-professional batches.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to my first Bharatanatyam class?
Wear a cotton practice saree or a fitted salwar kameez with the dupatta tied firmly at the waist, so your legs can bend freely. Tie your hair back, remove loose jewellery and dance barefoot.
Do I need ankle bells for my first Bharatanatyam class?
No. Beginners practise without salangai, the ankle bells. They are usually introduced later, often with a small ceremony, once the student's footwork is steady.
Can parents watch a Bharatanatyam class?
It depends on the school. Some teachers welcome parents for the first class and then prefer children to learn without an audience, so ask the teacher in advance.
Why are my legs sore after my first Bharatanatyam class?
Araimandi, the half-seated stance, works the thighs, calves and hips in an unfamiliar way. Soreness for a day or two is normal and eases as the muscles adapt; sharp pain is not normal and should be mentioned to the teacher.
