Bharathanatiyam - OFAAL

The follow is the syllabus for Bharathanatiyam examinations from Oriental Fine Arts Academy effective from Feb 2018.

Grade 01

Practcal


All the following Adavus to be learnt in three speeds with Thalam.


1 8 Types of Thattadavu


2 8 Types of Nattadavu


3 4 Types of Tha Thei Thei The


4 4 Types of Kudittu Mettu Adavu


5 4 Types of Theiya Theiye


Theory (oral rendering only)


1. Candidates should know the Solkattu and Thalam for the above Adavus.


2. Thiyana Slogam – to be able to say the slogam in sanskrit with appropriate hand gestures and their meanings.


3. At the end of the session the candidate will be tested orally in their grade 1 theory and practical knowledge as well as some general question related to Bharathanatiyam.


Sample oral questio:

  • a) How many Thattadavus are there?

  • b) What is the solkattu for Nattadavu?

  • c) What type of dance are you learning?

  • d) Which adavus are performed not using Aramandi?

  • e) What God is worshipped in the Thiyana Slokam?

Grade 02

In addition to Grade - 1 syllabus, the following.


Practical


1 6 Types of Thath Thei Tham


2 4 Types of Thath Thei Thaha


3 2 Types of Thith Thith Thei


4 4 Types of Mandi Adavu


5 3 Types of Thith Theintha Tha Thei


6 1 Type of Sarukkal Adavu


7 3 Types of Thei Thei Thatha


Theory (Oral rendition only)


1. Candidate should know the Solkattu and Thalam for all Adavus in Grade 1 and Gade 2.


2. Asamyutha Hastham -28 – Should say the Slogam with Meaning in sanskrit..


3. Samutha Hastham- 24- Should say the meaning with Slogam in sanskrit.


4. At the end of the session the candidate will be tested orally in their grade 1 and grade 2 theory and practical knowledge as well as some general question related to Bharathanatiyam.


Sample oral question:

a. What is another name for Asamyutha Hastha?

b. Which adavu is performed using mullumandi?

c. What mudra do you use to show fish/bird/flower/crescent moon/snake?

Grade 03

In addition to Grade 1 - 2 syllabus, the following.


Practical


1. 1 Type of Uthsanga Adavu


2. 1 x Thei Thei Thiththith Thei Adavu


3. 1 x Thahatha Jumtharitha


4. 1 x Thathingginathom Thaka Thathingginathom Thakathiku Thathingginathom


5. 1 x Kita Taka Tarikita Thom Taka Kita Taka Tarikita Thom Thakathiku Kita Taka Tarikita Thom


6. 1 x Meiyadavu


7. 5 x Thattu Mettu Adavu (Pancha Nadai)


8. 1 x Kathari Adavu


9. Ararippu (Tistram) with Thalam orally. Candidates should be able to say the solkattu with Thalam

1. Shiro, Thrishti, Kreeva Bethas to be demonstrate with slogam in sanskrit


Theory


Candidate should know the solkattu and thalam for all Adavus in Grade 1 - 3.


Candidates will be required to take the written theory examination. In addition to the Grade 1 -2 syllabus contents, the following.


1. Natiya Markam (Order of items)


2. Definition of Nirutham, Niruthiyam, Nattiyam, and Korvaihal


3. Explanation of Alarippu


4. Natya Kiramam


5. Shiro Thrisdee Kreeva Pethangal (Movements of Head, Eyes and Neck ) . – To be able to write the sloga and brief description of each movement


Note: Questions may be set from practical lessons for theory examination papers.

Grade 04

In addition to Grade 1 - 3 syllabus, the following.


Practical


1. Jathiswaram

(a) Candidates should be able to sing the swara an say the solkattu for the Theermanam.

(b) Candidates should be able to say the korvais with correct solkattu to thalam.


2. Gowthvam

Candidates should be able to sing and know the meaning of the lyrics and be able to explain any Sanchari bhavams performed.


3. Sabtham

Candidates should be able to sing and know the meaning of the lyrics and be able to explain any Sanchari bhavams performed


4. Viniyogams

Aasamut Hasta 1-9 (Patakam – Mushti) Hand gestures and meaning with correct sloga in Sanskrit.


Candidates should know the Ragam , Thalam and the definitions of all the items.


5. Compose Korvais in Adi and Rupaka Thalam - 2 to 4 Avarthanam and perform the Korvai.

Theory


1. Pathra Lakshanam - Defintion of a dancer

a) Character expression

b) Physical features


2. Brief knowledge of the following:

a) Kinkini

b) Thandavam

c) Theermanam


3. Viniyogas tpepNahfq;fs; Asamyutha Hastham - Hands and meaning with Slokas in sanskrit 1 - 9 ( Patakam - Mushti)


Note: Questions may be set from practical lessons for theory examination papers.

Grade 05

In addition to Grade 1 to 4 syllabus, the following.


Practical


1. Thillana

Candidate should be able to sing the song and say the solkattu for all korvai with talam.


2. Patham

Candidates should be able to sing and know the meaning of the lyrics and be able to explain any Sanchari bhavams performed.


3. Keerthanam

Candidates should be able to sing and know the meaning of the lyrics and be able to explain any Sanchari bhavams performed.


4. Patha Betha

Candidates should know four different types of patha betha and be able to demonstrate the movements with correct sloga in Sanskrit.


5. Viniyogams

Aasamuth Hasta 10-18 (Shikaram – Simhamukham) Hand gestures and meaning with correct sloga in Sanskrit.


Candidates should know the Ragam , Thalam and the definitions of all the items.


6. Composing Adavu for the given Thalam and Korvai (either Adi or Rupakam) for 3-4 avarthanas.


Theory


1. Patha Betha

a. Mandala Betham

b. Uthpilavana Betham

c. Piramari Betham

d. Sari Betham


2. Brief knowledge of the following.

a. Bharathanatiyam

b. Kathahkali

c. Kuchupudi


3. Origin of Bharathanattiyam

a. Worldly

b. Historical


4. Viniyogas

Asamyutha Hastham - Hands and meaning with Slokas in sanskrit 10 -18 ( Sikaram - Simhamukha)


Note: Questions may be set from practical lessons for theory examination papers.

Grade 06

In addition to Grade 1 - 5 syllabus, the following.


Practical


1. Varnam (Full Varanam)

a. Candidates should be able ( to explain what type of nayaka/nayaki is mentioned in their respective Varanam.

b. Candidates should be able to sing the Varnam and be able to say each jathi with thalam.

c. Candidates should be able to explain the lyrics of the Varanam.


2. Perform Navarasa

Candidates shouldbe able to demonstrate the 9 varieties of navarasa with appropriate facical expressions.


3. Hastha

Candidates should know the sloga and the hand gestures of the following

a. Theva Hastha

b. Navagraha Hasta

c. Thasavatharam

d. Baanthavya Hastha

e. Jaathi Hastha


4. Viniyogams

Aasamutha Hasta 19-28 (Kangula – Thrisula)

Hand gestures and meaning with correct sloga in Sanskrit.


Candidates should know the Ragam , Thalam and the definitions of all the items.


Theory


1. Candidates should know the sloga and the hand gestures of the following

a. Thevahastam

b. Navakiraga Hastham

c. Thasavatharam

d. Baanthavya Hastham

e. Jaathi Hastham


2. Abinayam and its Explanation

a. Angiha Abinayam

b. Vacika Abinayam

c. Aaharya Abinayam

d. Saathviha Abinayam


3. Viniyogas

Asamyutha Hastham - Hands and meaning with

Slokas 19 -28 ( Kangula - Tirichulaka)


4. Candidates should be able to explain the Ashta Nayaki ( 8 different types of nayakis) give their characteristics with examples.


Note: Questions may be set from practical lessons for theory examination papers.

Grade 07

In addition to Grade 1 - 6 syllabus, the following.

Practical


  1. Alarippu (Mistram)

Candidates should be able to say the solkattu with thalam


  1. Thodaya Mangalam

Candidates should be able to sing the lyrics, jathis and explain the meaning of the song.


  1. Slokam

Candidates should be able to sing the lyrics and explain the meaning of the song.


  1. Astapathi or Javali

Candidates should be able to sing the lyrics and explain the meaning of the song.


5. To be able to compose a part of Natiya Nadagam for given story line.


6. Viniyogams

Samyutha Hasta - 24, Hand gestures and meaning with correct sloga in Sanskrit.

Candidates should know the Ragam , Thalam and the definitions of all the items.


Theory


1. Explanation of Navarasa


2. Notation


3. Details notes on four classical Dances of India

a. Bharathanatiyam

b. Kuchupudi

c. Manipuri

d. Odisi


4. Life History of the following famous people:

a. Smt Rukmani Arundel

b. Sri Thandauthapani Pillai


5. Brief knowledge of accompanying instruments for Bharatha Natiyam.


6. Viniyogas

24 Samyutha Hastham - Hands and meaning with Slokas


7. The Bhava (Mood) of 4 Nayakas


Note: Questions may be set from practical lessons for theory examination papers.

Grade 08 - Diploma

Title - Natiya Kala Jothy


Candidates applying for Diploma grade should be above 14 years of age and have completed Grade 7 Practical and Theory examination on the relevant subjects conducted by OFAAL. In addition to this, from year 2007 onwards candidates are expected to pass at least Grade 3 standard in one of the following subjects as their subsidiary to achive the Kala Jothy title from OFAAL:

a. Violin

b. Veena

c. Vocal

d. Flute


In addition to Grade 1 - 7 syllabus, the following.


Practical


1. To be able to perform a Margam (a complete Bharatha Natiya performance).


Note: Candidates should know the ragam and talam of all their items. To be able to sing any of their items and say any kovai or jathi with talam. Candidates should know the meaning behind the lyrics of their items.


2. To be able to Compose one of the following folk dances ( for a given song)

a. Kummi

b. Koladdam

c. Karagam

d. Kavadi


3. Candidates should be able to demonstrate that they can teach any item of the Margam to a student. Should be able to do Nattuvangam for all items in Thattukali.


Note: Should bring their own Thattukali


Theory


1. Stage Organisation, Light, Sound management.


2. Present Development of Bharatha Nattiyam.


3. Comparision on Eastern and Western Dance forms.


4. Methods and Procedures of producing Dance Dramas.


Note: Questions may be set from practical lessons for theory examination papers.

Grade 09 - Post Diploma

Title - Natiya Kala Ratna


Candidates applying for Post Diploma Grade should have completed the OFAAL Diploma Grade, achieved the Kala Jothy title and Completed a Subsidiary subject at Grade 4 minimum of the OFAAL Examination.


Practical


1. Alarippu (Kandam)


2. Jathiswaram


3. Sabtham


4. Gowthvam


5. Jaavali


6. Astapathi


7. Varnam


8. Keerthanam


9. Thillana


10. Patham


11. Viruththam

Candidate should be able Dance the above items with thalam and be able to sing them as well.


12. Say the jathis and play nattuvangam for a Varnam. Candidate should be able to sing the whole Varanam.


13. Prepare and dance a given (in a tape) Thillana within 30 minutes time.


14. Prepare Sanchari Bhava for a given Patham or Keerthanam.


Theory


Topic suggestion for post-diploma dissertations.


There is no written theory examination for this grade. However students are expected to submit a dissertation prior to the post diploma practical examination.


The candidates have the freedom to choose one of the following topics and write a dissertation on (Minimum) 5000 words. The dissertation should include bibliography, quotations, page reference captions and illustrations.


Candidates must submit their dissertation together with the Application Form in preparation for the VIVA part of the examination, (please use bamini font for Tamil letter presentation.)


Once the written dissertation is approved, the candidate is expected to bind the article in a presentable booklet form and submit three copies to the examination board.


The Post-Diploma candidate is expected to summarise and present to the board and audience the dissertation using PowerPoint slides emphasising the salient points of the dissertation subject. This will be an interactive question and answer session involving the examination panel and questions and the invited audience, duration 60 minutes.


Note: The dissertation must be submitted with the application form. The details of the topics given below are only a guideline.

Candidates must work with their teacher to research and explore more about the chosen topic.


Please submit the dissertation through your teacher. OFAAL Music committee will only be able to comment on the dissertation once it has approved by your teacher.


Recommended topics:


  1. Ashta Nayakis and Dance

  2. Bharatha Natya Literature and their authors

  3. Bharathanatya and Rasaprakaranam

  4. Koothu Kalai – one of the traditional
    art forms of Sri Lanka

  5. Religious Festivals and Folk dances

  6. The redevelopment of Bharathanatyam

  7. The role of accompanying instruments
    in Bharatha Natya Arangetrams

  8. The use of Bharathanatya Mudras

  9. Traditional Indian dances and dance dramas