Junior grade

Adavus are the fundamental steps, which form the basics of Nritta in Bharatanatyam.
It involves rhythmic movement of hands, feet, head and eyes for a defined solkattu.
They are generally practiced in three speeds:
Vilamba Kala (first speed)
Madhyama Kala (second speed)
Dhrutha Kala (third speed)
Combining multiple adavus in different sequences forms a Nritta dance item which
can be performed.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADAVU
Adavus are categorised into different types and names in various forms of
Bharatanatyam. Some call them Dashavidha adavu and may even sub-categorize
within the Dashavidha Adavus. Certain other sources also divide Adavus’s into 17-20
different types.
Considering the varied classification of Adavu’s, below are the most common
categorizations of Adavus, referenced from Nrityamanjari.

Adavus

Adavus are  the basic  moves in Bharatanatyam. Any classical dance form depends upon the Adavus of that dance form. In Bharatnatyam, Adavus form a very important element which needs to be learnt with great perfection. It the inculcation of the basic combination of movement of various parts of the body which is done according to the ‘tala’. It forms the main component in learning Indian dance forms.

The Adavus constitute the leaning of various steps in a dance form which are as follows:

Dashavida  Adavus in Bharatnatyam

• Tatta Adavu
  This involves eight steps and includes the words “thiyaa thai”. It is also alternatively known as the ‘thai thai tham’.
• Mettadavu
  This also involves eight steps and are denoted by the words of Thaiyyum That Tha and also the words “thaiyuum “.
• Tatti Metti Adavu
  Tatti means to tap (like in Tatta adavu) and Metti means be on the toes and then flatten the feet while the toes are already firm on the ground.
• Natta Adavu
  Natta means to stretch and so this adavu (foot work) involves some stretching to form beautiful patterns. The “Natta Adavu” involves heel contacts of the feet
• Tatti Naatadavu
  Tapping the feet and stretching the heel
• Kudittu Tattadavu
  This basic step is characterized by first jumping and then striking with the foot on the floor
• Kudittu Mettadavu
  This basic step is characterized by first jumping and then striking with the heels on the floor. These moves are done sitting in the Araimandi position giving it a nice look.
• Tattu Mettadavu
  The Tatti Metti Adavu is divided into two parts whereby “tatti” means tapping on the floor while “metti” means heels to be kept in touch with the floor. This basic step is one of the most relevant and used ones in the Bharatnatyam dance and is used mostly in Jatiswarams and Tillanas
• Jaaru Adavu
  The knee is bent to perform this adavu has various types and are performed by the students in three different speeds.
• Mandi Adavu
  The knee is bent to perform this adavu has various types and are performed by the students in three different speeds
• Rangakramana Adavu
• Tirumanam Adavu
  This consists of two steps and the words involved in the dance are: Tha “dhin gina thom” and “thari kita thom”.

Other Adavus

• Jati Adavu
  The Jati Adavu in Bharatnatyam depicts a thalam. These include five types are Tishra, Chatushra, Khanda, Mishra Sankeerna
• Kattadavu
• Karthari Adavu
• Katti Naatadavu
• Yegari Naatadavu
• Mai Adavu
• Pakkadavu

There are eight steps in this Adavu and the dance is performed by the words like “Ta tai tai ta” and also “Dhit tai tai ta”.

All the Adavus are performed in three speeds which are also known as the ‘kalams’. These constitute of performing in the slow tempo known as the ‘Bilambita laya’, the medium speed which is called the ‘Madhya laya’, the ‘Druta laya’ or in a faster tempo. These needs practice in a consequent term. First, the dancer must learn in a slow tempo, then in the middle tempo and at last in a faster tempo.