Bharathanatiyam - AOFA

The follow is the syllabus for Bharathanatiyam examinations from Academy of Fine Arts (London) effective from Apr 2020.

Beginners Grade

Recommended age to sit for exam - 6 years


Practical examination only


Practical


Adavu

1. 8 Types of Thattadavu


2. 8 Types of Naattadavu


1-2 to be practised in 3 Kaalams i.e. in 3 degrees of speed

Oral Theory

  1. Nattiyakramaha – Namaskaram and its importance. Concentration on Aramandi posture. Thalam (timing), Nattiya Arambam posture, Swastika posture, Prenkanam etc. Ability to say the word syllables for the steps with the talam.


2. Dhyana Sloka

Grade 01

Practical examination only (Recommended Minimum Age 7 years old)


Practical


Adavu

1. 4 Types of Tha Thei Theithath


2. 4 Types of Kudittu Mettadavu (Theihath theihi)


3. 4 Types of Theiya Theiyi


4. 3 x Korvai Adavu (Thath Thei tham) – First 3 Adavus


1-4 to be practised in 3 Kaalams i.e. in 3 degrees of speed

Oral Theory

Student should be able to orally render and show hand gestures:

Asamyutha Hastha

Samyutha Hastha

Grade 02

Recommended minimum age 8 year old


Practical


1. The student should have the ability to name and perform the following Adavus with tala:

a. 2 x Korvai Adavu (Thath Thei tham) – 4th & 5th Adavus

b. 4 x Thath Thei Thaha

c. 4 x Mandi Adavu

d. 3 x Paidal Adavu (Thith Thein Tha Tha Thei)

e. 5 x Thatti Mettadavu

f. 2 x Thahatha Jumthari Tha

g. Thirmana Adavu - 1 x Thathin Kina Thom Adavu

- 1 x Kita Taka Tari Kita Thom


2. Perform Alarippu (Tisram) and the student should be able to orally render (or sing) the Alarippu with tala.


Theory


1. Vinayogas of Asamyutha Hasthas (First 5 – Pathaka to Mayuram). Hastha Vinayogas to be learnt in Theory and Practice


2. Divisions of Dance – Niruththa, Niruththiya, Natya


3. Aranga Devatha Sthuthi


4. Natya Kiramam

Grade 03

Recommended Minimum Age 9 years old


Practical


1. The student should have the ability to name and perform the following Adavus with tala:

a. 1 x Sarukkal Adavu

b. 1 x Karthari Adavu

c. 1 x Utsanga Adavu

d. 3 x Thei Thei Thath Tha

e. 1 x Thath Thith Tha (Thei Thei Tha)


2. The students should have the ability to perform a Pushapanjali and also be able to orally render (or sing) the items with tala


Theory


1. Vinayogas of Asamyutha Hasthas (6 to 13 - Ardhachandran to Suchi)


2. Definition of signs and symbols used in music notation - namely, Akshara-kala signs (comma, semi-colon), Stayi symbols, Jati, Kalam or degree of speed signs, Tala anga divisions, Avartam endings and symbols used for gamakams.

3. Dance Musical Instruments: Wind Instruments – Structure and names of parts of Flute. Know names of past & present Vidwans.

Grade 04 - Diploma Year 1

Recommended Minimum Age 10 years old


Practical


The students should have the ability to perform the previous grades’ items, the following items and also be able to orally render (or sing) the items with tala:


1. 1 x Jatiswaram


2. 1 x Kauthuvam


3. The student should have the ability to compose 2 avartams of simple Korvai in Adi or Rupaka tala.


Theory


1. Vinayogas of Asamyutha Hasthas (Last 15 - Chandrakala to Trishoolam)


2. Bethas and Vinayogas:

a. Movements of head - Siras

b. Movement of eyes – Dhrishdi

c. Movements of neck - Griva


4. Lakshanas of:

a. Dancer - Pathiram

b. Apathiram

c. Sabhanayakan

d. Sabha

e. Kinkini


5. Vageyakaras or Composers: Gopalakrishna Bharati - his life-history and outline his contributions to Carnatic Music and Bharatha Natyam.


6. Knowledge of Pancha Paanam of Manmadhan.


7. Dance Musical Instruments:

a. Wind Instrument - Structure and names of parts of Nagaswaram. Know names of past & present Vidwans.

b. Percussion Instrument (Laya Vadhyam) – Structure and names of parts of Tavil. Know names of past & present Vidwans.

Grade 05 - Diploma Year 2

Recommended Minimum Age 11 years old


Practical


The students should have the ability to perform the previous grades’ items, following items and also be able to orally render (or sing) the items (wherever with thala):


1. 1 x Sabtham

2. 1 x Alarippu (Misram)

3. The student should have the ability to compose 4 avartams simple Korvais in Adi or Rupaka tala.


Theory


1. Vinayogas of Samyutha Hasthas


2. Hastas: (a) Dheva hastas (b) Navagraha hasthas


3. Write short notes on: Thandavam, Lasyam, Natyadharmi and Logadharmi


4. Vaageyakaras or Composers: Tanjore Quartet - their life-history and outline their contributions to Carnatic Music and Bharatha Natyam.


5. Short notes on Folk dances of South India:

a. Kummi

b. Kolattam

c. Kavadi

d. Karaham


6. Dance Musical Instruments:

a. Stringed Instrument – Tambura - Structure and names of parts.

b. Percussion Instrument (Laya Vadhyam) – Structure and names of parts of Mridhangam. Know names of past & present Vidwans.

Grade 06 - Diploma Year 3

Recommended Minimum Age 12 years old


Practical


The students should have the ability to perform the previous grades’ items, following items and also be able to orally render (or sing) the items (wherever with tala):


1. 1 x Kirtanam


2. 1 x Thillana*

* students should be able to render orally (or by singing) all the Thillana korvais with tala.


3. The student should have the ability to dance to a simple Korvai composed by examiner in Adi or Rupaka tala.


Theory


1. Hasthas:

a. Panthavya hastha

b. Thasavathara hasthas

c. Jathi hasthas


2. Movements of legs – Padha Bhedhas & Usages


3. Short notes on classical South Indian dances:

a. Bharatha Natyam

b. Kathakali and Mohini Attam

c. Kuchupudi


4. Vageyakaras or Composers: Arunachala Kavirayar and Oothukadu Venkata Subbaiyer - their life-history and their contributions to Carnatic music and Bharatha Natyam.


5. Four divisions of Abhinayas:

Inner divisions of Anga Abhinayas, Anga, Prathyanga, Upanga.


6. Dance Musical Instruments: Stringed Instrument – Violin - Structure and names of parts. Know names of past & present Vidwans.

Grade 07 - Diploma Year 4

Recommended Minimum Age 13 years old


Practical


The students should have the ability to perform the previous grades’ items, following items and also be able to orally render (or sing) the items (wherever with thala):


1. 1 x Padham


2. 1 x Thodaya Mangalam


3. 1 x Thevaram / Thivya Pirabandham

performed in traditional pann type & with expressions or abhinaya


4. The student should have the ability to dance (choreograph) for simple songs (Abhinaya songs).


5. Candidates should prepare and submit a journal (scrapbook) for grade Diploma Year 4. Students should endeavour to write in their own handwriting – wherever possible – their observations, comments on articles, reviews of concerts and pictures.

Examiner will sign and date the journal (scrapbook) at the end – each time it is submitted.


Theory

1. Understanding of Navarasas


2. Short Notes on North Indian classical dances:(a) Manipuri (b) Kathak (c) Odissi


3. Tala prayogas: Sapta talas, 5 Jaati Bethas of Lagu; 35 talas derived from the Jaati Bethas.


4. 7 types of Thandavams of Shiva


5. Contemporary Dancers & Dance Teachers - their life-history and their contributions to the propagation of Bharatha Natyam:

a. Smt. Rukmani Arundel

b. Sri Vazhuvur Ramaiah Pillai


6. Dance Musical Instrument: Stringed Instrument – Veena - Structure and names of parts. Know names of past & present Vidwans.

Grade 08 - Diploma

Recommended Minimum Age 14 years old


Practical


The students should have the ability to perform the previous grades’ items, following items and also be able to orally render (or sing) the items (wherever with tala):


1. 1 x Padha Varṇam


2. Navarasam


3. The student should have the ability to dance (choreograph) to 4 avartams of Jatis composed by examiner in Adi or Rupaka tala.


4. Candidates should prepare and submit a journal (scrapbook) for this grade. The scrapbook will be a continuation of the previous grade’s effort. Students should endeavour to write in their own handwriting – wherever possible – their observations, comments on articles, reviews of concerts and pictures.

Examiner will sign and date the journal (scrapbook) at the end – each time it is submitted.


Theory


1. Understanding of:

a. Nayagapragaranam

b. Nayagan’s sahaa [male friend of the hero]

c. Nayagi Lakshanam [Ashtavidha Nayagi]

d. Nayagi’s Sahi [female friend of the heroine]


2. Margam – Knowledge of Dance Repertoire: From Alarippu to Thillana


3. Understanding of Navarasa


4. Nataraja’s Image & its significance


5. Knowledge of Pathira Pranas: Pathira Anthapranas, Pathira Pahipranas.


6. Contemporary Dancers & Dance Teachers - Smt. T. Balasaraswati. Her life-history and her contributions to the propagation of Bharatha Natyam.


7. General Classification of Dance Musical Instruments and an understanding of all Musical Instruments (Vaadyams) studied from Grades 3 to Diploma Year 4 (New Grade 7)

Grade 09 - Teacher's Diploma

Final year leading to Teacher’s Diploma in Bharatha Natyam (Grade 9) Students who successfully complete this examination will be bestowed with a title “Natya Choodamani”


Minimum age to sit for exam 15 years - After completion of G.C.S.E or equivalent exam


NOTE: Students should sit for main course and a subsidiary subject. Bharatha Natyam students should take an Instrument, Vocal, or Mridhangam as subsidiary subject within the Academy's curriculum.


Practical: Part One


An exam concert of the following Bharathanatyam pieces for not more than 90 minutes. The candidate should time each item to make up the total 90 mins.


Bharatha natyam pieces for the exam concert programme:


a. At least one Tamil composition should be included in the exam

b. One (1) of each of the following pieces should be chosen for the programme.

1. Pushpanjali and Kanda Alarippu


2. Jatheeswaram


3. Shabdham or Kauthuvam


4. Padhavarnam


5. Padham or Keerthana (Madhyama kala or Chouka kala)


6. Viruththam / Slokam / Pillai Thamizh or Tharangam or Thiruvasakam or Thiruppavai or Meera Bhajan


7. Thillana


8. Mangalam (only for the last candidate for the exam day but all candidates should be prepared)


Practical: Part Two

Practical: Items given below could be examined if they are not covered in the concert section in part 1.


1. 1 x Alarippu (Kanda chappu)


2. 2 x Jathiswaram


3. 3 x Padham


4. 1 x Padha Varnam


5. 1 x Chouka Kala Keerthanai


6. 1 x Ashtapadhi


7. 2 x Javali


8. 2 x Keerthanai


9. 2 x Thillana


10. 1 x Thiruvasagam (composed in Raga Mohanam & performed with expressions or abhinaya)


11. 1 x Tharangam (Narayana Theerthar)


12. Viruththam / Slokam / Pillai Thamizh


13. Navarasam


14. Folk Dance – Kummi / Kolattam / Kavadi / Karagam or Kurathi (Gypsy girl)


15. A scene or episode from a dance drama such as Nandanar Chariththiram, Kuravanji Natakam or Ramayanam should be choreographed for group


16. Practical knowledge of Nattuvangam


17. Mangalam


Above 17 practical items will involve the students to orally render (Kolupithal) and perform Theermanam in the poorvanga parts and Swara-sahitya for the uththaranga parts in the Varnam


Note:

a. An introduction of Sancharibhava.

b. Students should be able to understand the text and significance of compositions learnt. This develops their imagination to compose items.

c. Padhams of Oothakadu Venkatasubbaiyer, Ganam Krishnaiyer, Gopalakrishna Bharati, Muthu Thandavar, Kavi Kunjarabharathi or by well-known composers.

d. Marks will also be given for conveying the attributes, by abhinaya, of different characters in each practical dance item performed at the examination.


Theory


Selected topics for each paper (from the topics listed below) will be given to students - prior to sitting their Theory exams. Thus, narrowing the vast list of topics to selected few topics on which each paper will be set.


Part One: (Three hour paper)


1. History of Indian Dance


2. Early Dancers in temples


3. Four Classical Dances of India


4. Our Temples and their propagation of dance


5. Chidhambaram Temple and it’s significance to dance and karanas


6. Natarajah’s Image & its significance


7. Dance forms. Comparing and contrasting Eastern & Western dance forms:

Kandian, Bali (Indonesian), Japanese, Chinese, Ballets (Russian, German, English and American)


8. Dance & Emotion


9. Traditions in Dance


10. The Great 4 Nattuvanars - Tanjore Quartette (Chinnaiya, Ponniah, Shivanandam, Vadivelu)


11. Contemporary Dances


12. Folk Dances of India


13. Vaageyakaras or Composers: Bandhanallur Jeyalakshmi, Mylapore Gowri Amma, Jayadevar, Subbarama Iyer and Dharmapuri Subbarayar - their life-history and their contributions to Carnatic music and Bharatha Natyam.


14. Internationally renowned Arts institutions Kalakshetra and Kalamandalam, their contribution to the growth of Arts.


15. Intoduction to Natya Sastra and Silappadikaram in brief

Origin of dance (a) history from nature (b) history from Puranas


16. Four divisions of Abhinayas:

Inner divisions of Anga Abhinayas, Anga, Prathyanga, Upanga.


17. Definitions of: Bhava, Sthayi bhava, Vibavam, Anubavam, Saathveega bhavam, Viyabichari bhavam.


18. Lakshana of Dance drama


Part Two: (Three hour paper)


1. 7 types of Thandavas of Shiva


2. Thala dhasa pranas


3. Thalaprayogas: Sapta talas, 5 Jaathi Bethas of Laghu; 35 thalas derived from the Jaathi bethas; and 175 thalas derived from jaathi betha of 35 thalas


4. Dance Repertoire: From Alarippu to Thillana


5. Stage: (a) Natya Aranga Lakshana (b) Lighting (c) Sound


6. Make-up & Dance Costumes or Dresses and jewellery


7. Lakshanas of a Dance Teacher. His or her responsibilities and duties. Preparation of syllabus and notes for a dance class


8. Understanding the reasons of Lack of Techniques / Body movements / Layam (rhythm) / Facial Expressions and how to overcome them


9. Items required for a dance class. Formation of a dance class. Dance Pictures.


10. Nattuvangam


11. Short notes on Audio-Visual Equipments for the propagation of Bharatha Natyam: Gramophone, CD Player, Hi-Fi System, Radio, Video / DVD Recorder, Tape Recorder, Television, World wide web, Computer / Laptop, iPod, iPad, Android Equipments etc.


12. UG, PG & PhD Programmes of Bharatha Natyam in institutions and their contributions.


13. 11 Vakai Adal (Types of Dance)


14. Concepts of 64 Ancient arts.


15. Ancient, medieval and current history of Bharatha Natyam.


Books to read and understand:


1. Natya Sashtra

2. Panchamarabu, Silapathikaram, Mahabharatha Chudamani, Bharatha Saasthiram

3. Abhinaya Dharpanam – U Vey Saminathaiyer Nool Nilayam

4. Understanding Bhatatha Natyam by Mirnalini Sarabhai

5. Jouranals & Souvenirs

6. Bharatha’s Art Then & Now – Dr. Padma Subramanyam

7. Bharatha Kalai Kotpadu – Dr. Padma Subramanyam

8. Marabu Thanda Maanikkangal – Dr. B. M. Sundaram

9. Mangala Isai Mannargal – Dr. B. M. Sundaram

10. Marabu Vazhi Vandha Pirasangangkal – Dr. B. M. Sundaram

11. Great Composers – Prof. P. Sambamurthy

12. Catalogue of Musical Instruments – Prof. P. Sambamurthy

13. Nriththiya Sumangali

14. Nadanaathi Vadhya Ranjanam

15. Bharatha Senapathiyam – Kalakshetra Adaiyaar Chennai

16. Mahabharatha Choodamani

17. Balarama Bharatham

18. Bharathanatyam – Smt. T. Balasaraswati, Dr. V. Ragavan

19. Natyakalai - Smt. T. Balasaraswati, Dr. V. Ragavan

20. Abhinaya Saarasampudam – Chetloor Narayana Iyengar

21. Abhinavaneetham - Chetloor Narayana Iyengar

22. Nam Naattu Nadanangal - Mirnalini Sarabhai

23. Graamiya Nadanangal – Parts 1 and 2

24. Swabhotha Navaneetham – Mangudi Thurairaja Iyer

25. Bharatha kalai Chiththiram – T. K. Rajalakshmi & T. R. Arunachalam

26. Silapathikaram by Ilangovadigal

27. Bharatha Siththandham – T. Chandirasegaran

28. Kalai Kalanjiyam

29. Indiya Nadanam – C. R. Srinivasa Iyengar

30. Navarasa Nadananjali – Sudhanandha Bharathiyar

31. Aadalisai Amutham – Sri. K. N. Dhandayuthapani Pillai

32. Indian Classical Dances – Kabhilavasthiyan

33. Nrithanjali – Raginidevi

34. Thirukutrala Kuravanji – E. Klayanasundara Iyer