Theory
Question Answers
Grade 1 and 2 Question and Answers
How many classical dances are there in India?
There are seven classical Dances in India.
Who was the founder of Bharat Natyam Dance?
Sage Bharta was the founder of Bharat Natyam Dance.
How many years before Bharat Natyam was practiced in India?
About 3000 years ago Bharat Natyam was practiced in India.
Where Bharat Natyam was practiced in India first of all?
Bharat Natyam was practiced in South India at Tamil Nadu
Who is the founder of Kalakshetra? When was it established?
Rukmini Devi Arundale, 1936.
What style of dance you learning?
Kalakshetra style
How many types of dances are there?
There are two types of dances, which are Tandav and Lasya.
What do you mean by Tandav and Lasya?
Tandav is done by Shiva and Lasya is done by Parvati,
How many forms of dances are there?
There are three forms of dances , Nritta, Nritya and Natya.
What is Mudra?
To show any object with hands is called Mudra.
What is Tihai?
Any group of words repeated three times is called Tihai.
What is Ang?
All major parts of the body are called Ang. e.g. Arms, Legs.
How many Thattadavus are there?
8
What is the solkattu for Nattadavu
“tai yum tat ta tai hi ya ha”
Which adavus are performed not using Aramandi?
thaiyya teiyyi adavu only
What God is worshipped in the Thiyana Slokam?
Lord shiva
Who originated classical dance?
Lord Shiva originated the classical dances.
What is Rhythm?
Beat to beat done systematically in order is called Rhythm.
Define the word 'Dance'?
To move the body on music is called Dance.
What does the word 'bhav' mean?
'Bhav' is the outer mode of an inner expression.
What does 'Adavu' mean?
The basic dance unit is called 'Adavu'.
What are different types of Lai?
There are Vilambit (Slow), Madhya (Medium), Drut(Fast).
How manu steps are there in Bharat Natyam Dance?
There are hundred steps in Bharat Natyam Dance.
What is another name for Asamyutha Hastha?
Single Hand Gestures
Which adavu is performed using mullumandi?
Mandi Adavu
What is pratyang?
Minor parts of the body are called pratyang e.g. nose, ears.
What is Upang?
Smallest parts of the boby are called upang eg, eyelashes.
How many mudras are there of one hand?
There are 28 mudras of one hand.
How many mudras are there of two hands?
There are 24 mudras of two hands.
What does the term 'nav-ras' means?
The nine feelings of a human being are called 'nav-ras'.
What does 'Natya’ means?
Dance based on some story or drama is called 'Natya'
What does ‘Nritta’ mean?
Nritta is a pure dance with no specific theme, containing Adavus
What does 'Nritya' mean?
It is dance composition with both Abhinaya and Nritta.
Define the word Lai?
An equal time between the beats is called Lai.
What are different types of Lai?
There are Vilambit (Slow), Madhya (Medium), Drut(Fast).
How many folk dances are there in India?
There are about twenty folk dances in India.
Meaning for Dhyana Slokam
We bow to that Lord Shiva, whose body is the whole universe, whose speech is the entire world’s languages and whose ornaments are the moon , stars etc….
What is the solkattu for Mandi and Sarukkal Adavu
Tharngkidu Thatha Thina. – Rupaga Thalam
Name the Talam Nattadavu set to
Adi
Bharatanatyam that you are learning is a
Fine art
Name the mudra to indicate peacock.
Mayuram
Initial stage of Mandi Adavu
Mulu Mandi
What is the mudra used of crocodile ?
Swastikam
Name the Mudra which represent the swing?
Dolam
What is Thaaraathy in Thiyana Slokam?
Stars
These are sample questions, please read more about
Hastas and its description,.