Author: Ram Krishnamani Date: August 10, 2025
3M With Shantha : Mobile App Series 18
The podcast began with Shantha’s assured voice setting the tone. She looked at Ram, eyes narrowing in playful challenge.
She questioned him about his book Shall We Dance, where an entire chapter was devoted to Adavus. Shantha demanded more than the usual “foundation of dance” answer.
Ram explained that Adavus were not mere steps but the grammar of Bharatanatyam — its alphabets and syllables. Without them, a dancer could never achieve rhythm, precision, or grace.
He described how they trained posture, stamina, balance, and discipline. Shantha pressed further, asking what made them unique.
Ram replied that Bharatanatyam’s Adavus were codified for centuries, combining footwork, gestures, posture, and eye movements in harmony with the tala.
Illustrations in his book were essential, he said, as words alone could not convey their energy and crispness.
Shantha quipped that the chapter sounded like a training ground before the battlefield. Ram agreed, calling Adavus the base of the temple.
Turning to the audience, Shantha declared them the heartbeat of Bharatanatyam and introduces two of the Adavus which are in the Mobile App, Shall We Dance – to be introduced very shortly in the festive season of 2025 Q4
