Level 0 – Pre-classical
Students ages 3-6.5 years old are taught basics of coordination, such as right and left, same hand/foot and opposite hand/foot, balance, as well as fine motor skills. Students identify body parts like different fingers and parts of the foot and legs. Classes include hand gestures and prayer songs (shlokas), stances, walking, animal movements, and other non-adavu components of Bharathanatyam.
- Movement
- Hastas
- Prayer songs with hands
Level 1 – Beginner
Students 6.5 and older are taught the basic elements of dance, including steps (adavus), neck movements (atami), eye movements (dhristi bheda), walking (chari), and hand gestures (hastas). They also start learning combinations of steps (Korvais) and simple dances and shlokas.
- Adavus (steps)
- Korvais (sequences of steps)
- Prayer songs with feet and hands
- Pushpanjali
Level 2 – Intermediate
Students continue to practice the basics of dance as they begin learning their first margam, or list of required dances. Students are properly grounded in thala (beat) and laya (rhythm). Students also learn more complicated variations of the basic advaus.
- Alarippu
- Kauthuvam
- Jathiswaram
- Shabdam
- Varnam
- Folk dance
Level 3 – Advanced
Students delve into expressing emotions in various kinds of interpretive dances. Students also begin to explore more complex thalas and rhythmic structures. Students are taught components of injury prevention and stricter Anga Shuddi (proper form and movement).
- Padams
- Javalis/Ashtapadis
- Keerthanas
- Thillana
- Charis/karanas
- Second Margam
- Contemporary movement
Milestones
- Salangai Pooja: Students have learned up to Shabdam and will be given their first set of bells to wear during performance. Done as a group for a total of 30 minutes.
- Kalarchana or Margam Performance: Students have learned all 7 standard classical items and can perform a full margam. Done as 1-3 students together for a total of 45-60 minutes.
- Arangetram: Students prepare to give their solo stage debut performance. They select their personal margam of dances to learn and present through intense private lessons as well as vigorous training both individually and in groups. Performed with live music, usually as a solo or duet for a minimum of 90 minutes.
Post – Arangetram
Students are expected to have reached a high level of proficiency. Students begin directing, teaching, and choreographing.