The Best 5 Bharatnatyam Songs for New Learners

March 6, 2025

Introduction

One of India’s oldest traditional dance styles, Bharatanatyam, is a mesmerising fusion of storytelling, expression, and rhythm. The journey into this dance form may be both thrilling and daunting for beginners. Selecting the appropriate music is essential for introducing the art form and understanding its fundamentals.

In this blog, we’ve compiled five Bharatanatyam songs for beginners that are perfect for dancers taking their first steps into this classical dance form.These songs are great for learning the fundamentals because of their simple rhythms, concise patterns, and easy steps.

5 Bharatanatyam Songs for Beginners

1. Tatta and Natta Adavu

Tatta Adavus are foundational steps in Bharatanatyam, one of the oldest classical dance forms of India. The term “Tatta” means “to tap” or “to strike,” and “Adavu” refers to basic steps. In these adavus, the dancer focuses on the rhythmic striking of the feet in coordination with hand gestures (hasta mudras) and specific rhythmic patterns (tala).

More complex leg and hand motions (mudras) are introduced by Natta Adavu. Beginners can easily grasp tala (rhythm) and laya (tempo) because of the lyrical yet rhythmic manner.

Why It’s Ideal for Beginners:

Learners begin with fundamental footwork and work their way up to more intricate components, including hand and leg movements. Tatta and Natta Adavus facilitate this gradual progression.

For beginners looking to improve their skills, there are several practical tips that can enhance their learning experience:

Concentrate on clean hand gestures, which add aesthetic value to the performance.
It is imperative that beginners practice making seamless transitions between steps. Mindful practice and repetition can help attain this.
Dancers can improve their timing skills by practicing using a metronome or talam.

2. Schlokamala by Sangeeth Nritya Bharati Academy

Original Song: Natya Sudha by Bombay Sisters

“Schlokamala,” an appealing tune that honours dedication and rhythm, is taken from the Bombay Sisters’ album Natya Sudha. The composition is a mashup of shlokas (devotional lyrics) arranged to rhythm.

The song captures the spirit of rhythm and grace that are essential to Bharatanatyam and expresses respect for Lord Ganesha, describing various of their talents and divine powers, and Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, and Goddess Mahamayi, the divine power, and Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth.

Composer & Style:

The song Natya Sudha is choreographed by Guru. Smt. Padma Hemanth, structured to highlight the key elements of Bharatanatyam, especially the rhythmic patterns and graceful movements, while remaining approachable for learners.

Why It is Perfect for Beginners:

Emphasis on Devotion and Rhythm: Beginners can more easily concentrate on both rhythmic correctness and expressive motions thanks to the slokas’ simplicity and clarity.

Clear Raga and Tala: The dancer’s comprehension of timing and synchronisation is aided by the musical structure’s consistent beat.

Advice for Beginners:

Concentrate on matching the beats of the song with your footwork. Ensure that each step aligns with the rhythm to create a strong foundation in timing.
To improve fluidity, practice switching between simple steps and hand motions as the song goes on.

3. Bho Shambho

The devotional song “Bho Shambho” is devoted to Lord Shiva, the highest deity in Hinduism, who is frequently connected to transformation and destruction. The song invokes Lord Shiva, requesting protection and blessings, by referring to him as “Shambho,” an affectionate word for Shiva.

The song combines devotional lyrics with classical Carnatic music, which is highly structured, making it a beautiful yet approachable piece for beginners in Bharatanatyam.

Why It is Perfect for Beginners:

Slow Tempo: “Bho Shambho” has a moderate tempo that lets beginners concentrate on accuracy in hand motions, footwork, and facial expressions without feeling hurried.

Expressive Dance (Natya): Because of the song’s calm and passionate tone, beginners can concentrate on expressive dance elements, which helps them relate to the spiritual concept via expression and movement.

Advice for Beginners:

Make sure your posture is stable and anchored.
To portray the idea of devotion and to demonstrate your respect and affection for Lord Shiva, use facial emotions, called abhinaya.

4. Dheem ta dare dani

The song “Dheem Ta Dare” is from the 1999 album Thakshak. It was sung by Surjo Bhattacharya and written by Mehboob. The song is in Hindi and is 3:34 minutes long. “Dheem Ta Dare” is a semi-classical Bollywood-Natyam dance routine.

The song blends modern and traditional elements, incorporating intricate tabla rhythms with a contemporary melody. It holds an energetic and celebratory essence, often used in performances to display pure nritta (rhythmic dance) in Bharatanatyam.

Why It is Beginner Friendly:

The song has a catchy beat and a lively tempo that is ideal for demonstrating strong footwork and precise rhythm. Because of its clear and steady pace, “Dheem Ta Dare Dani” is perfect for beginners as it develops timing and footwork coordination with music. While its repeating rhythm provides plenty of chance to learn adavus and transitions, the lively speed keeps dancers interested and inspired.

Advice for Beginners:

Beginners can concentrate on rhythm, placement, and coordination because there are not any difficult ragas to learn. Beginners who want to succeed should concentrate on developing their footwork, utilising their entire body to boost energy, staying in time with the music, expressing themselves passionately, and making sure that the transitions between moves are seamless for a seamless performance.

5. Mallari

As an invocation piece in a Bharatanatyam, Mallari is generally played on the Nadaswaram during the procession of the “utsava moorthy,” or temple god.

Choreographed by Sachhidanand Narayankar, Mallari portrays the temple deity procession and “aarthi” ritual. Mallari is usually performed as an invocation or an exciting prelude to a performance in Bharatanatyam.

Mallari is ideal for beginners due to its simple rhythms, often set in Adi Tala, which makes it easy to focus on mastering footwork and rhythm. The repetitive structure helps develop coordination, posture, and alignment, while its upbeat, energetic nature encourages expressive movement and enthusiasm.

The accessible raga and tala build confidence in connecting movements with music. Beginners should concentrate on precise footwork, maintaining strong posture and energy, practicing mudras, staying in sync with the rhythm, and ensuring smooth transitions between movements to maintain the flow of the performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What makes a song suitable for beginners in Bharatanatyam?
A song suitable for beginners typically has a simple rhythmic structure, clear beats, and straightforward lyrics. These elements make it easier for learners to focus on mastering basic adavus (steps), expressions (abhinaya), and coordination.
Are there specific genres of songs used in Bharatanatyam?
Yes, Bharatanatyam uses classical Carnatic music. Common genres include Alarippu, Jatiswaram, Varnam, etc. Beginners often start with Alarippu and Jatiswaram, as they emphasize rhythm and foundational movements.
Can these songs be practiced without a live accompanist?Absolutely! Beginners can practice using recorded music or online tutorials. However, practicing with a live accompanist helps improve synchronisation and understanding of rhythm.
Do these beginner songs focus more on technique or expression?
Beginner songs primarily focus on technique, such as perfecting adavus and maintaining proper posture. As learners progress, more emphasis is placed on abhinaya (expressive storytelling).
How long does it take to master a beginner-level Bharatanatyam song?
Mastery time varies depending on the learner’s dedication, practice routine, and familiarity with basic steps. On average, it could take a few weeks to a couple of months to confidently perform a beginner song.
How can I improve my performance while practicing beginner songs?
1. Practice regularly with a focus on technique and timing.
2. Watch performances by seasoned dancers for inspiration.
3. Seek feedback from your teacher.
4. Gradually incorporate expressions as you gain confidence in the movements.