Learning Bharatanatyam step by step: what comes first

Every class begins and ends with a namaskaram, a short salutation to the earth, the teacher and the music. Then comes posture: a straight back, open chest, and the araimandi, the half-sitting stance with knees turned out. Almost every movement is built on it, so it gets a lot of attention early on.

Adavus are the basic step units, learned in groups. A beginner usually starts with the tatta adavu (striking the floor with the feet), then the natta adavu (stretching the leg and arm), followed by groups such as visharu, tatti mettu, kuditta mettu and mandi adavu.

Each group is practised at three speeds. The aim is clean, steady footwork in rhythm, not speed.

Alongside the adavus come the hastas or mudras, the hand gestures: single-hand gestures first, then two-hand ones. Eye and neck movements are added too. These are the alphabet of expression.

Once the adavus are steady, students learn short pieces that join them together. The alarippu is often the first full item, followed by the jatiswaram. Then come expressive pieces such as the shabdam, and later the long varnam at the heart of a Bharatanatyam programme.

Videos can show the shape of a step, but they cannot see you. Small faults in the araimandi or the feet are hard to notice on your own and hard to undo later. A live class, even online, lets a teacher correct you as you go. Practising at home between classes, with a recording of the class, is what moves you forward.