Posted by Vinod Menon (129.188.33.221) on October 13, 2005 at 13:05:45:

 In Reply to: How to become an Arangetram level dancer from just an Average Ole dancer? (3)

Posted by Thila on October 07, 2005 at 04:36:58:

 Hello Thila,

Your focus is highly commendable. Wish there were more dancers like you out there!

Have you considered slowing down the pace of the nritta items? Bharatanatyam movements are best showcased at madhyamakAlam. You have to allow time to complete each movement and feel the spirit of the adavu. Short spurts of third speed are good punches - but an entire item at high speed is quite tiring to perform AND watch! Choreography can also be customized to highlight the strengths of a dancer.

If at all you feel that the pace of the items cannot be changed, practice it at a lower speed first until you are happy with it and then step it up. I would also work on smaller sections of each item instead of running through all of them at every practice session. For example, pick one kOrvai out of the jathiswaram and practice it in slower speed and then go up to the higher speed in one session. Repeat that a few times. In the next session, go through the first kOrvai quickly once and start on the second as you did the first. Take a minute or two to figure out how your weight shifts when you go from one movement to another and deconstruct it so that you get strength in the movement. Think about what you have to emphasize in the move and what to be subtle about. The stamina boost will happen automatically. Breathing exercises and yoga will also help.

Good luck!