Basic terms used in Indian classical dance forms

Indian Classical Dance is basically divided into three major categories as follows:-

Nritta - Nritta is the abstract form of dance which does not convey any message or meaning. It basically includes all the steps that are done in dance. In Bharatanatyam 'Alarippu' is one of the Nritta items.

Nritya - Nritya includes both Nritta (abstract dance) and Abhinaya (Expression). Nritya is based on a theme or story and has a definite message to be conveyed. In Bharatanatyam 'Padam' is one of the Nritya items.

Natya - Natya is the other name for 'dance ballet' which is mostly narrative. Episodes from epics like Mahabharata, Ramayana are depicted in the form of dance ballet and is called 'Natya'.

Navarasa - If we split this word we get 'Nava' +'rasa'. Nava means Nine and Rasa means the sentiment or moods. These comes under the abhinaya aspect or the expression part in dance. The following nine rasas are depicted in Indian classical dance forms:-

Veeram- Heroism

Roudram- Anger

Shantam- Peace

Bhibatsam- Disgust 

Haasyam- Laughter

Adbhutam- Surprised, Amazed

Karunai- Sympathy

Bhayam-Fear

Adavu- Adavu is the basic unit dance. All the steps which are done in Bharatanatyam is collectively known as Adavu. There are various kinds of adavus like Tattadavu, Nattadavu, Teermanam adavu etc.

Taalam- The different sets of beats used in Indian classical music is called Taalam. There are basically 7 taalams used in Carnatic music system (Sung for Bharatanatyam)

Jathi- There are five jathis in Bharatanatyam

Chatushram - 4 beats "Ta Ka Dhi Mi"

Khandam - 5 beats "Ta ka Ta Ki ta"

Mishram - 7 beats "Ta Ki Ta Ta Ka Dhi Mi"

Sankeernam - 9 beats "Ta Ka Dhi Mi Ta Ka Ta Ki Ta"

korvai- The pause between two adavus or movement is called Korvai or Teermanam.

Hastas- The Hand gestures that we show in Indian Classical Dance is called Hastas or Hasta Mudras. There are mainly two categories and two sub categories of hasthas-

Two Main Catogories:-
Asamyuta Hastas (single hand gestures),
Samyuta Hastas (double hand gestures),

Two Sub Categories:-
Deva Hasta (hastas used to depict God and Goddesses)
Dashavatara Hasta (hastas used to depict incarnation of Lord Vishnu)

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