Laasya School of Dance & Music

Some basic terms

Bhartanatyam has three elements :

Nritta: This pertains to pure dance.No abhinaya is done only body movements are performed to rhythm.Eg.Jatiswaram,Alarippu etc.
Nrithya: This consists of both nritta and expression.That is rythmic movements as well as movements with abhinaya are done.Eg.Varnam,Shabdam etc.
Natya: This consists of the dramatic element where the dancer herself becomes the character as in dance dramas like the Ramayana etc.

The difference between nrithya and natya lies in that in nrithya the dancer acts as the character.In the same item she may act as two characters simultaneously. In natya she becomes the character by wearing the costume and jewellery pertaining to the character.

The rythmic body movements along with hand gestures are called Adavus.A combination of adavus is called a Korvai.A korvai ususally ends with a theermanam.A theermanam is the kitathakadharikitatom or the tadhinginathom adavu performed in multiples of three.

There are different types af adavus :
Tattadavu
Nattadavu
Paravaladavu
tataitamadavu
tataitahaadavu
kudhiththumettuadavu
mandiadavu
kartariadavu
maiadavu
and so many more.

The entire body is divided as Anga, Pratyanga and Upaanga.

Anga
Anganyatra shirohastau vaksha paarshwakateetatau
Paadaviti shaduktaani greevamapyapare jaguhu
Head, Hands, Chest, Waist, Bottom, Legs are the Six Angas. Some people include Neck also.

Pratyanga
Pratyangaani twathaskandhau baahoo prushtam tathodaram
ooroo janghe shadityahurapare manibandhakau
jaanooneekoorparamiti trayamapyadhikam jaguhu
Shoulders, Arms, Stomuch, thighs, Knee are the Six Pratyangas. Some people include Wrist, elbow and Ankle also.

Upaanga
Drushtibhrooputatarashcha kapolau naasikaahanuhu
Adharodashanaa jihwaa chubukam vadanam tatha
Upaangani dwadashitaanyanyaanyangaani santi cha
Paarshnee gulbautathangulyaa karayoho padayostale
Sight, Eyebrow, Eye lids, Eye balls, Cheeks, Nose, Gums, Lower Lip, Teeth, Tongue, Chin and Face are the 12 Upaangas. Few people include Heels, Fingers, Feet, Palm also into upaangas.