LifSkool: last in-person session and the SPARK ChallengeOpening doors: first school outreach togetherUnderstanding each other at LifSkoolGuided line practice for Kantha stitch precisionBuy unique Tote Bag with Constitution of India Preamble
aikyam spaceSubscribe
A group of five women are standing in a room with tiled floors, arranged in a loose line facing toward the left side of the frame. The woman closest to the camera wears a dark blue outfit with her hair in a braid and stands with her hands on her hips. Behind her, another woman in a patterned top and green skirt smiles while holding her hands up near her chest. Further back, three more women stand in similar poses, wearing a blue top with light pants, a purple top with black pants, and a light-colored top with brown pants respectively. To the left, a small table holds a bag, and a potted plant sits on the floor beside it. A doorway and a staircase are visible in the background.
  • 4 took part
  • 1 facilitator

Sunday 18 October 2026

Growing independence through Adavu practice

Facilitated by Anjali Krishnadas

What the work needed: people, time, money, space and materials.
What went in
Teacher's time and a dance space.
Time
2 hours

What was done with those inputs, step by step.

Today was the second class for students with hearing difficulties. The class also welcomed three new children this time. They came with the first student's mother, who had watched the first class and told other families about it.

During practice, the children tended to look at the teacher and follow the Adavus by watching. We wanted to help them perform the movements on their own, without having to watch the teacher. The teacher worked with each child one at a time and guided them through repeated practice while looking straight ahead. This was hard at first, but the children kept trying.

The teacher then moved behind the students and asked them to perform the third Nattadavu in three speeds. Before that we did hand clapping. It helped them feel and remember the rhythm. By the end of the practice, all the children were performing the Adavu while looking straight ahead.

What the activity directly produced: sessions held, people reached, things made.
  • All the children performing the third Nattadavu in three speeds while looking straight ahead.

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

The children moved from relying on the teacher's movements to trying the Adavu on their own. After repeated practice and hand clapping, all of them performed while looking straight ahead. A family's recommendation also brought three new students to the class.

(We observed it)

What the team will keep or change next time.

Practice and one-to-one help can make children feel more sure of themselves. Hand clapping can help them dance on their own. Sharing a good class experience can help more families find the space.

Art and cultureEducationDance ClubThudippu Dance FoundationAnjali Krishnadasaikyam space

Run this activity yourself. You are free to copy, change and share this write-up, as long as you credit aikyam space. Photos are not included. (Creative Commons licence CC BY 4.0)