Too old to start learning Bharatanatyam?

Madhuvanti · Post by **Madhuvanti** » 07 Dec 2009, 22:42

Hi All,

When is someone ' too old ' to start learning Bharatanatyam seriously? I've always believed that one's never too old to learn anything, but I wonder if this is the case for Bharatanatyam?

I've always wanted to learn Bharatanatyam but due to various reasons, never did as a kid. I'm in my mid 20s and finally started classes a couple of years ago. My goal is to learn all the basics perfectly, and hopefully at some point do my Arangetram. Problem is, other people in my group class are in their 40s and are learning as a hobby.
Whereas my teacher is strict with her younger students, she doesn't stress upon proper postures/aramandi etc with us. I've asked her if I could maybe have an extra lesson per week but she said she didn't have any other group at my level/age.

I feel like Trisanku. Isn't there anybody who seriously pursued Bharatanatyam starting in their 20s and then went on to do their Arangetram?

ardhanariswar · Post by **ardhanariswar** » 08 Dec 2009, 13:01

Ask your teacher if shes willing to give you private lessons. Probably more expensive, but they are generally tailored to your needs/learning-pace. Before you give up, try talking to her again about what you want and make it clear that this isn't simply a hobby for you. If not, find another teacher. No point staying with a teacher who won't take you seriously and push you to your limits. If that's not an option, then just stick with her for the time being, but practice diligently on your own. Go online and watch other dancers' performances. Analyze in front of the mirror. Ask some friends for a critique.

I'm in my early twenties and I had started lessons a couple years back. I just wanted to learn the basics. To be honest, I wasn't very interested in performing the dance. I don't really care about the glamour of it either. I know that I'm not strong enough to perform dance, but I love carnatic music and I'm interested in Nattuvangam and choreography. Besides it was all I have time for since I'm still college. But I have done some amateur nattuvangam and dance choreo for some shows. Most of my knowledge comes from the internet, the rasikas forum, and YouTube. Its rough, but its all I have time for at the moment.

Good luck to you! Age is just a number, as cliche as it sounds. I know people keep bringing up Rukmini Devi Arundale as an example of a woman who started learning bharatanatyam when she's older. The benefit of starting as an adult is the self-awareness and discipline we (supposedly) have. Bharatanatyam lends itself to this as mastering the complex emotions involved in abhinaya is key to learning the dance fully. Its not all about flexibility and contortion. There's life to it.

Umesh · Post by **Umesh** » 09 Dec 2009, 10:35

Join the youngsters. Unless your teacher thinks it will be intimidating, there's no reason you shouldn't. Or, yes, private lessons, but make sure you get quality instruction no matter what you decide.

I know a few people who came to dance later in life and performed their arangetram or just simply started giving small recitals (in today's world, sadly, the arangetram means little). Priyadarshini Govind and Kalanidhi mami learned dance early on but went on hiatus for a long time. They took it up again much later, and we all know where they are now!

I don't know what your long-term goals are besides an arangetram, but if you are very serious, I suggest going to India (assuming you are not already there) and taking lessons intensively for chunks at a time. This accelerated learning may not be ideal for you right now, but once you get the basics down, it might be worth considering. Good luck!!

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 09 Dec 2009, 23:14

Indeed, join the youngsters.

In my mridangam-class days, the age of my fellow students and, indeed, stage mates, made no difference at all. In fact, it was fun to become a schoolboy again.

sreevin25 · Post by **sreevin25** » 10 Dec 2009, 04:41

hi madhuvanti

I seriously started my bharatanatyam at age 22 and did my arangetram at age 28. So you can def do it.

Madhuvanti · Post by **Madhuvanti** » 10 Dec 2009, 21:16

Hi All, thanks for taking the time to reply! And for the good ideas.

@Umesh, I don't have any specific long-term goals past Arangetram, I'd guess it would be to keep learning and improving!

I feel really encouraged now and I've decided to pester my teacher and see if she'll let me join the younger kids who're at my level, or the senior group who're around my age but well ahead of my level. While it might be difficult to catch up with them, at least it'll prove to be a challenge worth pursuing. One thing I do know is that if I don't pursue Bharatanatyam now I'll definitely regret it looking back, so I want to focus all my efforts on it now.

Hope to post my Arangetram announcement here someday

shriranjani · Post by **shriranjani** » 13 Dec 2009, 19:47

I have a lot of older students joining because they love Bharata natyam but could not learn it during their childhood, for various reasons.In some,the enthusiasm exceeds their ability.But,some,have put their heart into it & practise diligently and continue to surprise me!There is a Nepali student,who enrolled her 7yr old daughter but later decided to join too.She is probably 30 and does her exacting mandi adavus with more spring in her step than the other 10-12 yr olds!A 45-yr old lecturer joined last yr and is going great guns.It is important though,that they are physically strong,or else they will land up with permanent damage to the back & knees.I teach abhinaya pieces to some of the older ladies who are not very graceful in their nritta.The idea is,to make them feel happy doing what they feel they missed out in life.I feel they should not set goals of getting onto a stage etc till they look really good.Pleasure in just learning the lovely art form should be a reward in itself!It is lovely teaching these ladies as they are motivated and do not need any cajoling to practice!!