Nattadavu Steps 3, 4 | Bharatanatyam Adavu | Natyakriya Episode 09

We started off with Nattadavu steps 1 & 2 in the previous episode. Today we're going to seeing how to do Nattadavu (नाट्टडवु) {read: Naa-ttuh-duh-voo} steps 3 & 4.

Like the 1st & 2nd steps, 4th is just twice of the 3rd step. And the sollukattu (सोल्लुकट्टु) or Rhythmic syllables of is - Thaiyyum That Tha Thaiyyum Thaam

Here's a video tutorial - 

NATTADAVU THIRD STEP 

I. Leg Movements

1. Sit in Aramandi position.
2. Lift your RIGHT LEG - toes pointed while imagining that you heel is touching your behind. Place the right heel firmly to the right side of your body. (still maintaining Aramandi) {Count 1}
3. Lift the heel off the ground imagining it touching your behind and hit the floor next to your left leg - i.e coming back to original position {Count 2}
4. Lift your LEFT LEG - toes pointed while imagining that you heel is touching your behind. Place the heel firmly to the left side of your body. (still maintaining Aramandi) {Count 3} 
5. Lift the leg and hit it back to the original position. {Count 4}
6. Lift the RIGHT LEG and place the toes behind your left leg {Count 5}
7. Hit your Left leg in same position {Count 6}
8. From behind take the Right Heel to the right side (like step 2) {Count 7}
9. Hit the Right Leg back to the original position {Count 8}

This was entirely the RIGHT SIDE. Repeat the same in LEFT SIDE and do the whole step in 3 speeds.

II. Hand Movements

1. Stretch hands out to side at shoulder level slightly bent at elbows. Hand Gesture - Tripataka.
2. Turn your RIGHT ARM to face the right palm upwards {Count 1}
3. Turn back the arm to face downwards. {Count 2}
4. Turn LEFT ARM to face right palm upwards {Count 3}
5. Turn back to face it downwards {Count 4}
6. Bring Right Arm to the centre at chest level - palm facing down {Count 5}
7. Maintain same position as above while turning the palm upwards {Count 6}
8. Take the Right arm outside to shoulder level - palm upwards {Count 7}
9. Turn back to face the right palm down. {Count 8}

Repeat same in LEFT SIDE. Repeat the step in 3 speeds.

NATTADAVU FOURTH STEP 
This is exactly like 3rd step. But instead of 8 counts, you will have 16 counts. Repeat each count (legs + hands) twice.

*Note: Tripataka - Keep your palms straight, bending and joining your thumbs with the index finger. Bend the RING FINGER half way down.

 

Watch the previous episode here.

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