- Chapter four of Natyashastra, TandavaLakshanam, is one of the most important chapters for the study of dance. It is here that Bharata describes Tandava Vidhi, the rules of dancing Tandava.
- The rules are in the form of long descriptions of 32 angaharas and 108 karanas, and how these body movements and postures are to be used to choreograph a performance of Tandava.
- The dance was first performed by the Apsaras and Gandharvas in heaven. Later was passed to humanity through the descendants of Bharata Muni.
- A Karana in dance is defined as "the coordination of the movements of the hands and feet “. Karana is a combination of three elements, namely nritta hasta (dance movement of the hands), sthaana (a dance posture for the body) and a chaari (a dance movement of the leg).
- Angahara is the combination of many Karanas, while Adavus is a small unit of Karana.
- A series of Karanas(subtle hand and feet movements in a spiral fashion) is called as Angahara.
- Adavus are smaller units of Karana which can help you to stitch 2 Karanas in the dance. In-between 2 Karanas you can perform small steps called Adavus which is derived from Karanas. Adavu = 1 dance unit of Karana.
- The 108 Karanas constitutes the Tandavam. Gentle and graceful form of same 108 movements is called Lasya. Lasya literally translates to beauty, grace, and happiness.
- Both Tandavam (sharp and forceful movements) and Lasya (soft fluid movements) together constitutes Bharatanatyam.
- Infact Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Odissi ,Kathakali ,Mohiniyattam and Manipuri are all offshoots of the same underlying principle
