Naatiyalaya Academy's curriculum includes modules on Dance History/Background, Dance Theory, Fitness and Body Conditioning, Technique, and Ancillary Subjects (Music and Rhythm). The various levels of instruction, covering the entire spectrum of dance education from technique to teaching, are as follows:
Beginner 1 Minimum age: 5
Basic Bharatanatyam stances, adavu technique, hand gestures, and the mythology of dance are taught in this beginner class. Rhythm/tala fundamentals, as well as flexibility, strength, and balance exercises, are also introduced. Items Taught: Sloka dances Beginner 2 Adavus (steps) of increasing complexity, increased detail in theory, exercises for focus and warm-up/cool-down, glimpses into various Indian classical dance styles and temple sculptures, and an introduction to dance syllables (sollukattu) make up this class. Items Taught: Invocation Pieces Intermediate 1
Advanced level adavus, theory, sollukattu recitation, musical notation, body alignment, and an overview of hereditary dance tradition, the Tanjore quartet, and the Margam will be covered in this level. Students will begin learning a Bharatanatyam repertoire. Items Taught: Pushpanjali, Alarippu Intermediate 2 Students at this level will complete adavu training. In addition, they will continue theory lessons, discuss the evolution of Bharatanatyam and nritta/nritya/natya, learn techniques for breath control and stamina/endurance exercises, refine sollukattu enunciation and delivery. Students will perform their salangai pujai towards the end of this year. Items Taught: Kouthuvam, Jathiswaram Intermediate 3 Students will continue learning the Bharatanatyam repertoire, develop core strength, balance, and stability, and learn to enunciate and deliver jathis and korvais vocally, a precursor to nattuvangam training. Items Taught: Keerthanam, Stuthi Advanced 1 This class will introduce elements of abhinaya in theory and technique, expand the student’s repertoire, polish technique, improve strength and stamina, and allow opportunities for students to practice choreography skills. Items Taught: Shabdam, Padham, Ashtapadi Advanced 2 Pre-arangetram This arangetram-track class will focus on a complete repertoire, building stamina and strength and polishing technique. Students in this class will work towards arangetram and beyond, in group and private lessons. Items Taught: Varnam, Thillana Post-Arangetram This class will delve deeper into the art form. Students in this class will be challenged to create their own choreography, teach repertoire pieces to their peers, research and present dance-related works. Students will become proficient on the tattukazhi and will also be introduced to the nattuvangam. |