Alarippu is traditionally the first dance piece that Bharatanatyam dancers learn. It is usually done first before other dances. The Alarippu can be in five different Jathis. The alarippu is a Tamil word, அலாரிப்பு. Allaripu means the blossoming of a dancer. This dance item is composed of basic steps. It contains no abhinaya. Alarippu symbolizes the offering of respect to god, the guru, and the audience. The dance is entirely based on rhythm and focuses on relaxing the dancer's body. It contains a lot of neck, eye, and head movements. The Alarippu (meaning ''flowering bud'') is traditionally the first

dance Dance is an The arts, art form, consisting of sequences of body movements with aesthetic and often Symbol, symbolic value, either improvised or purposefully selected. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...

piece that

Bharatanatyam ''Bharatanatyam'' is a Indian classical dance form that came from Tamil Nadu, India. It is a classical dance form recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and expresses South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas of Hinduism and Jainism.< ...

dancers learn and perform in this type of classical dance recital. The Alarippu was created in five different talas by the four brothers, namely the Tanjore Quartet. (verbal percussionist) and a mridangist. While dancing this piece shows basic steps. It contains no abhinaya (facial expressions). The act is entirely based on

rhythm Rhythm (from Greek , ''rhythmos'', "any regular recurring motion, symmetry") generally means a " movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions". This general meaning of regular r ...

and is focused on

relaxing Leisure (, ) has often been defined as a quality of experience or as free time. Free time is time spent away from business, work, job hunting, domestic chores, and education, as well as necessary activities such as eating and sleeping. Leis ...

the body of the dancer, thereby relaxing their mind and symbolizes their

awakening Awakening(s) may refer to: * Wakefulness, the state of being conscious Religion * Awakening (Finnish religious movement), a Lutheran movement in Finland * Enlightenment in Buddhism, from ''bodhi'' ("awakening") * Great Awakening, several period ...

References

Classical dance genres of India Elements of a Bharatanatyam performance {{India-dance-stub