I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, but a common way to remember the elements of choreography in Bharatanatyam is to divide the word itself into parts that act as a mnemonic device:
When you listen to music, what is the defining feature of the music that makes you like it? For me, it’s the danceability of the music. Specifically, I feel most inspired by songs that put visuals of a choreography in my head. The choreographies come to me vividly the first time I hear a song I am stirred by. Yet, like a writer getting writer’s block when putting pen to paper, when I am in the studio and trying to bring my vision to life, my enthusiasm slowly dies away.
I will start off strong, with a move that looks good and fits the music well, and then I get stuck one way or another. Nothing looks right, or the movements feel awkward, or, the biggest cause of my creative block: I keep thinking that “It can be better.”
For a step to not be the perfect step, feels like I am doing an injustice to the song and the emotions it rouses within me. So I put down my phone, put on my socks, sling on my bag and leave the studio.
When I can successfully ignore that voice in my head, I’m able to create some decent phrases. As my repertoire increases, I notice my ability to choreograph does too. Also, it’s important to realize that choreography is not linear. It feels more like painting on canvas with acrylic. I have to have a general idea of the steps according to the rhythm first; then, depending on if the composition flows well, I have to go back and add/subtract/change steps, and finally I need to go back in and fill in details that reflect emotion or musicality. This means listening to the song over and over again and getting into the nitty gritty of counting. I have to let go of the notion of being able to create spontaneously, at least until I have a 100 more choreographies under my belt.
ways to express
the main emotions
the language of symbolism (new page, cover common symbols, Gods, and concepts)
types of ragas in carnatic music