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I am a Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher and life-long student who has been learning both dance forms for the past 30 years. I am a disciple of Smt. Shyamala Surendran (Dharani School of Performing Arts, Kochi) and did my Masters in Fine Arts (MFA -Bharatanatyam) from SASTRA University under the tutelage of Dr. Padma Subramanyam. I am currently based in Singapore where I conduct dance classes, programs and productions under the banner of my school, the Medasvi School of Dance. Facebook: facebook.com/medasviharitha Blog: mohiniyattamdance.blogspot.com YouTube: youtube.com/harithaharidas84

August 12, 2013

Mohiniyattam Adavus - Dhaganams (1 to 4)


Now that we have learnt and practised all the 6 Jaganams, we shall now go on to the next set of Mohiniyattam Adavus called the "Dhaganams". Like mentioned before, Dhaganams are adavus which begins with the syllable 'Dh". These are 4 in number. 


DHAGANAM-I



Chollu: DHIKIDHINNAM THADINAM
Starting Posture: Sit in Aramandalam with the Pathaka on the right hand and Hamsasya on the left hand (Both hands near the chest). Eyes in Samam

DHIKI - Body remains in the starting posture but lift the right leg and stamp. Eyes should be looking at the hands near the chest.

DHI - Body remains in the starting posture. Lift the right leg and take a step in front on the heel all the while looking at the hands.

NNAM - Place the left leg next to the right and sit in Aramandi. Hands and eyes remaining in the same position as above.

THA - Stretch right leg to the right side on the heel. Move the hand in a circular motion while changing from Hamsasya to Ardhachandra and place it opposite the right knee with index finger pointing down. Body should be bent to the right side.

DINAM - Bring back both hand and leg to the original position but the right hand should be in Hamsasya. Eyes should look straight.



DHAGANAM-II


Chollu: DHANUTHANUMTHARI DHITHTHATHANUMTHARI
Starting Posture: Sit in Aramandalam holding Hamsasya on both hands near the chest. Eyes in Samam. 

DHA - Take a step to the right side by keeping the right leg to the right side . Swing the right wrist in a semi-circular motion (opens to Tripathaka) to the right side till the palm faces down. Body is slanted to the left side . Head follow the right hand.  Eyes should be looking at right corner down.

NUTHA - Place the front of the left leg right behind the right leg  . Swing the right wrist in a semi-circular motion  back to the original position till the palm faces up. Body is slanted to the right side. Head  follow the right hand. Eyes should be looking at left corner up.

NUM -  Same as DHA

THARI - Come back to starting posture by the placing the left leg next to the right left sitting in Aramandi. The right hand should circle around the wrist while changing back to Hamsasya. Eyes should follow the circular movement of the right hand.



DHAGANAM-III




Chollu: DHANUTHANUMTHARI DHITHTHATHANUMTHARI
Starting Posture: Sit in Aramandalam. Keep both hands in front of the chest in Tripathaka with the right palm facing down with its fingers over the left fingers whose palms are facing up. The elbows are placed in oval shape.

DHA - Raise the right leg in level with left knee at a distance while in changing the posture to Kalmandalam. Stamp the left leg with the heel. Eyes and body are in Samam.

NUTHA - Keep the right leg down a little away from the left leg

NUM - Place the toes of the left leg behind the right leg

THARI - Move the right leg again slightly away from the left leg and keep it on the floor towards the right corner. The right hand should be placed parallel to the right thigh near the chest with the palm facing up and the left hand at the same position with the palm facing down.

At NUMTHARI both the hands should change from the starting position to the final position gradually . Body and eyes should also move in accordance to the movement of the right hand during the course of the Adavu

DHITHTHATHANUMTHARI -The entire Adavu is repeated on the left side .



DHAGANAM-IV







Chollu: DHANUTHA DHAJANUTHA DHAJANUTHA THADHIMITHA
Starting Posture : Sitting in Aramandalam firmly, hold Tripathaka  in both hands in front of the chest in an oval shape palms facing inside.

DHA - Sit in Aramandalam bending slightly forward to the right . The hands are above the head with the palms facing inside. Eyes should be looking at left corner down.

NUTHA - Stretch the left leg to the left corner while changing the posture to Kalmandalam. The palms should turn and face outside . Eyes should look at the hands.

This entire Adavu is done 4 times. Twice on the right side at DHANUTHA DHAJANUTHA and tiwce on the left at DHAJANUTHA THADHIMITHA.

While moving to the left from right and vice-versa, the body should move gracefully in a semi-circular motion.