|
    |
|
|
|
 From Aramandi to Allegro: How Bharatanatyam built my dance foundation- Samyuktha Gopi RajDecember 6, 2025  I was five when I first stepped into my guru's studio in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles County, my tiny feet learning the basic tattadavu. Nine years later, these foundational rhythmic patterns would become my secret weapon across all dance forms. In those early classes, even the simplest sollukattu felt like trying to speak a new language. Now, in World Dance class at the Buckley School, Sherman Oaks, CA as we all work through complex beats together, I find myself quietly drawing strength from years of practicing tisram patterns, grateful for this foundation that helps me understand new rhythms. When working through the World Dance choreography, I silently thanked my guru for the years of rhythmic training that helped me understand these new patterns. The araimandi that made my thighs burn in childhood now flows naturally into contemporary floor work. Those challenging hours practicing nattadavu in tisra nadai? They built the strength I need for modern dance's grounded movements. Each basic adavu taught me about weight distribution and balance - lessons that now help me nail complex hip-hop isolations. Bharatanatyam gave me more than just physical technique - it taught me the mathematics of movement. Every jathi in misra chapu is a fraction, every sequence an equation of rhythm and space. When my jazz teacher introduces syncopation, I hear the complex patterns of khanda nadai we use in thillana. "Dance is storytelling," our school choreographer often says, and I silently appreciate how my early lessons in abhinaya helped me understand this fundamental truth. The practice of one adavu in three speeds showed me how a single movement can tell different stories - from the deliberate storytelling of vilamba to the joy of duritha kalam. Even my musical interpretation is filtered through years of dancing to mridangam beats. Whether it's jazz, hip-hop, or electronic music, I find myself breaking down complex phrases into familiar patterns: from simple chatusram to complex khanda patterns that we use in our varnam practice. The rigor of traditional training - those endless repetitions of basic adavus, precise corrections, and deep respect for process - now influences every dance form I study. When fellow dancers ask about my clean ballet lines or sharp street jazz movements, I smile, remembering those early morning practices where perfecting a single movement was the day's only mission. Today, as I prepare for the annual spring dance show at Buckley, I warm up with Bharatanatyam basics while scrolling through TikTok. My practice salwar pairs surprisingly well with my Nike sneakers, just as my classical training enhances my contemporary movements. Each art form, each culture, each experience adds another color to my identity's palette. To young dancers navigating multiple cultures: our hyphenated existence isn't a divide to bridge but a unique space to inhabit. Every sollukattu, every pop song, every mudra is part of our story. And to my school dance teachers who wonder about my technical foundation: it was built between worlds, in the beautiful space where classical meets contemporary, where East meets West, where tradition meets innovation.  Samyuktha is a 15-year-old sophomore from Los Angeles, growing up at the crossroads of her Indian heritage and American upbringing. Navigating this cultural dichotomy, she has found in Bharatanatyam a powerful form of identity and expression. Her 9 year training under Guru Malathi Iyengar gave her a strong foundation in the art, and she is currently training with Guru Vilasini Sundaram. She continues to explore how dance connects her to tradition while allowing her to carve her own path. (@samu.g0piraj) Responses * Samu, very beautifully written! I like how you have drawn parallels between Bharatanatyam and other dance forms and your appreciation for the hours and years of practice for the foundations of dance. They say that training in any classical dance form helps one to pick up any other dance form relatively easier later in life. I see that in you! The pictures you have drawn showing Araimandi help us visualize what you are explaining. I love how you see the same rhythmic patterns across different global genres of dance and reflecting on the foundations you learnt as a child. I am proud to see your growth and achievements over the years. Keep up the good work and consistency! - Lavanya (Dec 7, 2025) * My dearest Samu, Bautifully written article! First of all, I would like to appreciate your PICTORIAL REPRESENTATION OF A LITTLE GIRL PERFORMING ARAMANDI AND TRANSITIONING TO ALLEGRO. It is such a thoughtful and creative way to show the connection between two different dance genres. It is very heartening for me to know your training in Bharatanatyam from your tender age of just five has empowered you to perform complex footworks in other dance forms as well. THE SECRET OF SUCCESS LIES IN CONSTANT PRACTICE.,and you are a wonderful example of dedication from a young age, blossoming into talent, skill, confidence and versatility. I am also proud to know that you are exploring other dance forms in the WORLD DANCE CLASS at your school. Although my own knowledge in dance is limited, one thing I can certainly say is BHARATANATYAM IS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING CLASSICAL ART FORMS. Training in it gives a strong foundation, making it easier to learn and adapt to other styles. I especially loved your comparison BHARATANATYAM MOVEMENTS TO MATHEMATICS. Your quote “EVERY JATHI IN A THALAM BEAT IS A FRACTION AND EVERY SEQUENCE IN FOOT WORKS AND GESTURES IS AN EQUATION" is very apt and interesting. It is fascinating to see how you connect the rhythmic and complex Bharatanatyam patterns to jazz style.Your explanation of “Dance is story telling" is beautifully expressed. I appreciate your interpretation of THALAMS in music and mridangam and how you channel these rhythmic patterns to suit jazz is really admirable.It shows depth, creativity and ability for intuitive understanding of both classical and contemporary forms. Indeed, classical art forms beautifully meet the contemporary, and your article captures that harmony wonderfully. Keep it up and God bless you. - Seethalakshmi (Dec 7, 2025) Post your comments Pl provide your name along with your comment. All appropriate comments posted with name in the blog will also be featured in the site. |
