Dance Terminology

Aramandi is the basic stance in Bharatanatyam, where the dancer stands with their feet slightly apart, knees bent, and arms held at the sides.

Chakradhara is the term for the circular hand movement in Kathak, where the dancer moves their hand in a circular motion, starting from the wrist and ending at the fingertips.

Adavus are the basic footwork in Kuchipudi, which involve intricate steps and patterns performed with the feet.

Abhinaya is the term for the expressive aspect of dance in Indian classical dance forms, where the dancer uses their body, face, and hands to convey emotions and tell stories.

Nritta is the term for the pure dance aspect of Indian classical dance forms, where the dancer focuses on rhythm, footwork, and body movements without any narrative or expressive elements.

Nritya is the term for the combination of nritta and abhinaya in Indian classical dance forms, where the dancer combines pure dance with expressive elements to convey emotions and tell stories.

Natya is the term for the overall performance of a dance in Indian classical dance forms, which encompasses all aspects of dance, including nritta, nritya, abhinaya, music, and costume.

Alarippu is the term for the introductory piece in a Bharatanatyam performance, which is a pure dance number that sets the tempo and rhythm for the rest of the performance.

Thillana is the term for the concluding piece in a Kathak performance, which is a fast-paced and energetic dance that showcases the dancer's virtuosity and technical skills.

Mudras are the term for the hand gestures used in Indian classical dance forms, which are used to convey emotions, ideas, and stories.

Karanas are the term for the body movements used in Indian classical dance forms, which are a series of stylized movements that are performed in a specific order.

Drishti is the term for the eye movements used in Indian classical dance forms, which are used to convey emotions and connect with the audience.

Abhinaya is the term for the facial expressions used in Indian classical dance forms, which are used to convey emotions and tell stories.

Rasa is the term for the overall aesthetic of a dance performance in Indian classical dance forms, which refers to the emotional experience that the performance evokes in the audience.

Tala is the term for the rhythmic cycle in Indian classical dance forms, which is a pattern of beats that is repeated throughout the performance.