The grading system in Bharatanatyam typically follows a syllabus that includes both practical and theoretical components.Each grade level in Bharatanatyam typically has a set of requirements that the student must meet in order to pass the exam and advance to the next level. These requirements may include learning new dance compositions, improving technical skills, and demonstrating a deep understanding of the art form.
Bharatanatyam
Pre Grade
PRACTICAL
I. Thattikumbiduthal
II. Thattadavu - 8(3 speeds)
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Thaiya Thei
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Thaiya Thei,Thaiya Thei
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Thaiya Thaiya Thei
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Thaiya Thaiya, Thaiya Thei
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Thaya Thaya Thei Thei Tham
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Thaiya Thaiya Thei Thakka, Theiya Theiya Thei
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Thaiya Thaiya Thei Thakka, Theiya Theiya Tham
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Thaiya, Thaiya, Thaiya, Thaiya, Thai, Thai, Tham
III. Dhyana Slogam
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Angikam bhuvanam yasya
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Vachicam Sarva Vangmayam
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Aharyam Chandra Tharadi
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Tham Numas Sathvikam Sivam
IV. Adi Talam Counting
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8 counts
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1 laghu,2 dhurtham
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Angam-1
(NOTE : No Theory Exam for Pre Grade)
Grade - 2
PRACTICAL
Basic Adavus​
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​Kudhithu Mettadavu Solkattu and Thalam should be known for the above Adavu in 3 speeds.
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Korvai Adavu - 5
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Kuth Adavu - 4
THEORY
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Siro, Dhrushti, Greeva Bedham
1) Head
2) Eyes
3) Neck movement
Grade - 1
PRACTICAL
I. Thattikumbiduthal
II. Basic Adavus
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Thattadavu
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Nattadavu
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Paraval Adavu (or) Mardhitha Adavu, Pakka Adavu/Meetu Adavu
THEORY
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Dhyana Slogam" and its meaning
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An outline knowledge of the 4 kinds of Abinaya. (Angika, Vaacika, Aaharya, Saativika)
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Asamyutha Hastham - 28 Tell the slogam with Mudra
Grade - 3
PRACTICAL
Basic Adavus
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Sarukkal Adavu - 5
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Thatti Mettu Adavu - 5
Thisram, chathusram, Kandam, Misram, Sankeeranam -
Paychal Adavu - 3 Karthari Adavu - Kathi Adavu
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Saarika Adavu / Simiral Adavu / Nadai Adavu - 2
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Theermana Adavu Maguda Adavu - 2
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Mandi Adavu - 3
( Note : Solkattu and Thalam should be known and should tell for the above Adavus)
THEORY
Short Notes
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Bharatham, Thandavam Lasyam, Jaathi, Jathi, Gathi, Solkattu, Adavu, Theermanam, Nritham, Nrithyam, Natyam, Abinayam, Mudra, Loka Dharmi, Natya dharmi, Angasudham.
Grade - 4
PRACTICAL
I. Dance basic forms
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12 Kinds of Adavu
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Mei Adavu - Alankara Adavu
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Korvai should be done in Adi & Rupaka Thalam - 2 to 4 Aavarthanams
II. Dance forms
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Kavadi Sindhu (or) Kummi, Kolattam
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Bharathiar Songs (or) Thirupugazh
( Note : Should know all the above Adavus & items to tell the Solkattu, Jathi and sing and dance.}
THEORY
Viniyogas of Angas
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Pada Bedham
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Mandala Bedham
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Uthplavana Bedham
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Bruhmari Bedham
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Chari Bedham
Grade - 5
PRACTICAL
Dance forms
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Thodaya Mangalam
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Mallari
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Pushpanjali
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Kouthuvam
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Panasam sivan songs (or) sirkazhi muthuthandavar songs
( Note : Should know to sing & dance to the above given items
THEORY
I. Short notes
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Thodaya Mangalam, Mallari, Pushpanjali, Kouthuvam
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Markkam, Nattuvanar, Fine Arts, Marki Dhesi, Accompanished, Arangettram, Karanam, Aruthi, Sound, Saba Lakshanam, Kinds of Students, Guru Lakshanam
II. List out the followings
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Bharathanatyam Reference books,accompaniment instruments,karanas,fine arts
Grade - 6
PRACTICAL
Dance forms
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Alarippu -1
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Jathiswaram -1
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Sabtham -1
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Keerthanai
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Panasam sivan songs (or) sirkazhi muthuthandavar songs
Note : Gopala Krishna Bharathiyar, Muthuthandavar, Neelakanda Sivan, Arunachala Kavirayar, Papanasam Sivan, Thiyagarajar, Uthukadu Venkata Subbaiyar, Bajan, Abangam, Dasar Padham
Should know to sing & dance to the above given items.
THEORY
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Know the meaning of Alarippu
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Definition of Jathiswaram
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Sabtham - define and tell the meaning
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Keerthanam definition
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Deva hastham - Mudras
Grade - 7
PRACTICAL
Dance forms :
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Pathavarnam - Thanjai Naalvar, Papanasam Sivan, Thandayuthapani Pillai, Tiger Varadhachariar(any one)
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Padham (Marimutha Pillai, Muthu Thandavar, Pattanam Subbrama Iyer, Arunachala Kavirayar, Bharathiyar Padal (any two)
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Keerthanam - Traditional Thiyagarasar, Muthuswami Dikshithar, Siyama Sastri , Muthuthandavar, Marimuthapillai, Arunachala Kavirayar,(any two)
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Thillana - Traditional (1)
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Bharathidasan song (or) Uthukaddu venkata subbaiyer songs
THEORY
Brief Collections :
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Navarasas
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Write Dance Notations for Jathis, Solkattu, Theermanam in Thalam
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Six kinds of classical dances of India
a) Bharata Natyam b) Kuchipudi c) Manipuri d) Odissi e) Kathak f)Mohini Aattam -
Life history of Tanjore Nalvar (Chinniah, Ponniah, Vadivelu, sivanandham)
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History of dance
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The Natya Urupadi- Padhavarnam, Patham, Thillana
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Thalam
Grade - 8
PRACTICAL
Dance forms
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Swara jathi - Traditional -1
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Javali - Traditional - 1
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Astapathy Traditional - 1
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Thirupugazh - 1
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Dhivyaprabandham - 1
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Panniru Thirumuraigal
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Keerthanam :-
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Thiyagarasar or Pattanam Subbrama Iyer
Suddhanatha Bharathi or Narayana Theerthar
Kotteswara Iyer or Aanai Iya
Purandhara Dhasar or Ambujam Kirhsna
Papanasam Sivan or Badrasala Ramadasar
Meerabai or Swathi Thirunal Maharaja
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Kuravanji, Thiruvarutpa, Siddhar Padal, Thirupalli Ezhuchi, Thiruvempavai, Folk dances of Tamilnadu - Any ONE
( Note : Should be known to sing and dance the above items )
THEORY
Brief Collections
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Stage Organisation, light, sound management etc
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Present development of Bharata Natyam
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Dance Drama
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108 Karnas
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Nattuvanars (Guru Sishya Parambarai)
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Natya Uruppadigal : Swarajathi, Jaavali, Astapathi, Thirupugazh, Devaram, Divyaprabhandam
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Kuravanji, Yaksha Ganam, Bohavatha Melam
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Temple Architucture