Akilandeshwari, U.S.A

Congrats for your debut in a few years. It is defenitely useful to share audio and video cassettes. A change in the style of movement may be the reason for the teacher not encouraging exchange of video cassettes. With regard to audio cassettes, I don't see any reason. In fact, exchange of audio cassettes will increase the repertoire. Dance videos are generally not sold since they may not be of professional recording quality. For videos, performances must be specially shot with the required lighting and high quality equipment.

I am a Malaysian male who has has learnt a bit of Bharatanatyam and Oddisi. I have not even come close to be able to perform. But I am curious about the costume for the male dancers. Are bare torsos a must?

Jim, Kuala Lumpur

No, bare torsos aren't a must. Male dancers can wear an ungavastram (sash) worn from behind the neck and covering the torso in front. Or a broad jewel available particularly for male dancers can be worn. If one has a tendency to sweat more, then a vest can also be worn.

I would be most grateful if you could send us addresses of persons or organizations involved in dance (dance teachers, groups, schools). We would like to include them (free of charge) in the Global Dance Directory of the International Dance Council - CID UNESCO, which you can visit at www.cid-unesco.org This is a strictly non-commercial project, a service to the world dance community. It treats all kinds of dance in all countries on an equal basis. Its objective is to include 100,000 addresses from 200 countries. 70,000 addresses have been gathered so far. The dance ensembles, schools or persons listed will have much higher chances to be invited to international festivals, conferences and other meetings.

Prof. Alkis Raftis
President, International Dance Council
UNESCO, Paris, France

You can visit the following link for a directory of Indian classical dancers: http://www.narthaki.com/adindex.html
Hope this will help.

I am from Hyderabad. I have a 3 year-old kid. My husband and I are working. So we don't have the time to take our kid out. But I want him to learn Bharatanatyam. Are your Bharatanatyam classes available on CDs?

Latha, Hyderabad

The child is too young to start. Wait until he is at least seven.

What is the earliest age to start learning Bharatanatyam? My daughter is 4 1/2 years old and everybody tells me she is too young.

Meenakshi, USA

Seven is a good age to start. Less than that, the child may not be mentally and physically equipped.

I have several questions for you.

Amili, USA

1. Can you please tell me the names or web sites of some Fine Arts Colleges in India where I could study for a degree in Bharatanatyam? I know about the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts. But I don't know about any other ones. The problem is I only speak English, so to go to any college that teaches in only languages other than English would be a big problem. And I have been looking online for months without much success. Is there a certain amount of years I would have to have already studied Bharatanatym to go to a Fine Arts College to study it further?

Yes, to enter a college, you definitely need a basic training in Bharatanatyam. Besides the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, you can contact the following: Annamalai University, Baroda University,Hyderabad University, Kalai Kaviri College in Trichy. Soon, a few colleges in Chennai (Madras University) may offer a degree course on dance. It may take another year to furnish concrete information.

2. I had thought that it takes 8 years to get to the level where you can have your Arangetram. But now I hear from some people that you can learn in 5 years, is that true?

It is not the number of years, but the aptitude that counts. If you can present an entire margam (a format of atleast seven items) of good standard, you are ready for an arangetram. It can take you two years or 10 to 20 years!

3. I just started learning Bharatanatyam a couple of months ago. At the beginning of class everyone is saying their prayers, but I can't say them. My aunt that I live with won't let me. This is because she is a strict Jehovah's Witness and she believes it's wrong to pray to other Gods other than her God Jehovah. Anyway, for the meantime, until I turn 18 and become a 'legal adult' that is, I am not allowed to say the prayers. Is it possible to still get the full essence of Bharatanatyam without the religious aspect?

Saying or not saying the prayers is not a big deal. But the very dances (in Bharatanatyam) are mythological and Hindu religion oriented, though you can perform secular themes. You have to decide.

4. Okay, last but not least, could you recommend some good books with pictures and or videos as far as Bharatanataym goes.

You can try Laghu Bharatam, a 3 - volume book on Bharatanatyam, Doordarshan's VCD on Bharatanatyam. Contact, e-mail: sales@kutcheribuzz.com for more information.

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