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A group of people sit in a circle on a polished floor inside a room, facing inward with their arms extended toward one another. One person in a yellow top sits with their back to the camera at the front of the circle, while the others, mostly in blue and green outfits, are arranged around them. A mirror on the left wall reflects part of the group, and windows with curtains are visible in the background.
  • 11 took part
  • 1 facilitator

Monday 14 September 2026

Aparna introduces Mudras and Sanskrit to students

Facilitated by Aparna NS

What the work needed: people, time, money, space and materials.
What went in
Aparna's time as teacher and a dance space.

What was done with those inputs, step by step.

On Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, Aparna focused on the fundamentals. She led the students through Thattadavu and Nattadavu. She explained why these basic steps build a strong foundation in dance.

After working through the adavus, the students moved on to the Mudras. The movements interested them, but remembering and pronouncing the Sanskrit names proved difficult. Some students hesitated when the unfamiliar words did not come easily.

Aparna had a simple solution: repetition. She kept encouraging them with the same words again and again: "Guys, repeat, repeat and repeat. You will remember."

She did not expect them to get everything right at once. She gave them space to practise, make mistakes and try again.

What the activity directly produced: sessions held, people reached, things made.
  • Practice of Thattadavu, Nattadavu and Mudras, with their Sanskrit names.

What changed for the people who took part, and what showed it.

Slowly, the unfamiliar Sanskrit words started to sound familiar. The students felt more confident remembering and saying them.

What the team will keep or change next time.

It was a small challenge, but it became an important learning moment. The session showed how patience, repetition and encouragement can make even difficult things easier to learn.

Art and cultureEducationDance ClubThudippu Dance FoundationAparna NSaikyam space

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