A  ‘first-­‐of-­‐its-­‐kind’  app  library  on  Bharatanatyam
How   would   you   use   your   hands   and   eyes   to   depict   a   preening   peacock?   A   singing   lark?   A
tinkling  brook?  A  lumbering  elephant?
The   B-­‐Natyam  series  of  apps  presents  a  unique,  fun  and  interactive  way  to  learn  the  vocabulary   of  the  ancient,  vibrant,  and  phenomenally  popular  Indian  classical  dance  form  Bharatanatyam,
as  evolved  over  thousands  of  years  and  widely  practiced  today.
From   students   of   Bharatanatyam   to   students   of   other   dance   forms   wanting   to   know   more   about   Bharatanatyam;   from   parents   of   budding   dancers   looking   for   a   tool   to   spark   their   children’s  interest  to  teachers  looking  for  an  innovative  teaching  aid  for  their  dance  students;   from   laypeople   who   want   to   appreciate   the   nuances   to   accomplished   dancers   looking   for   a
reference   tool   –   these   apps   are   tailored   to   be   of   use   to   anyone   interested   in   learning   or   refreshing  their  knowledge  of  the  basics  of  Bharatanatyam.
About  the  B-­‐Natyam  App  Series
The   B-­‐Natyam   series   of   apps,   which   includes   comprehensive   Interactive   Guides   and   easy-­‐ reference   FlashCards ,   will   lay   out   the   entire   Bharatanatyam   vocabulary   in   an   interactive,   fun   format  that  will  appeal  to  beginners  and  experienced  dancers,  laypeople,  teachers,  experts,  and   dance  enthusiasts.
With   an   attractive   user   interface   and   games   created   by   a   dancer/Bharatanatyam   guru,   and   modified  based  on  suggestions  from  parents,  teachers,  experts,  and  most  importantly,  dance   students,  these  apps  bring  you  content  straight  from  the  ancient  texts,  in  a  format  that  caters
to  the  modern  day  student.
Copyright:  Silambam  Houston

B-­‐Natyam  Vol.  1  –  An  Interactive  Guide  to  Bharatanatyam
The  B-­‐Natyam  Volume  1  app  for  the  iPad  is  the  first  in  a  series  of  interactive,   game-­‐based   apps   that   are   designed   to   make   learning   Bharatanatyam   vocabulary  ‘cool’  and  fun!  In  a  unique  format  that  includes  a  LEARN  mode  and   a  PLAY  mode  for  each  module  of  content  –  will  appeal  to  young  students  of
dance  and  whet  their  appetite  to  learn  more  about  this  rich  art  form.
LEARN   the   basics:   In   addition   to   a   salutation   to   Lord   Nataraja,   the   Cosmic   Dancer,   the   app   includes   lessons  on  the  single  and  double  hand  gestures,  head  movements,  neck  movements,  and  eye  movements   used  in  Bharatanatyam.  Audio  recitations  of  the  original  Sanskrit  verses  detailing  these  movements  and   gestures   are   accompanied   by   beautiful   pictures,   English   transliterations   and   translations,   and   other   information.  Complex  gestures  are  represented  in  detailed  freeze-­‐frame  animation.  Clicking  on  a  gesture   displays  its  uses  as  prescribed  in  the  ancient  texts.  Clicking  on  the  name  of  the  gesture  allows  you  to  hear   its  pronunciation.  The  ‘Did  you  know…?’  icon  on  any  page  reveals  interesting  facts  relating  to  the  history
of  this  ancient  dance  tradition.
PLAY  fun  games  to  test  your  knowledge  and  unlock  new  modules!  Match  gestures  to  their  names  and   words   to   their   meanings.   Pick   the   correct   uses   of   different   gestures.   Race   against   the   clock   to   put   pictures  in  the  correct  sequence.    Challenge  yourself  in  a  memory  game  that  helps  you  learn  as  you  play.
With  several  different  games  and  levels  of  difficulty,  the  app  provides  hours  of  challenging  fun  as  users
progress  through  the  levels  and  modules.
Additional  volumes  of  this  interactive  guide  series  with  more  advanced  content  are  in  development!
Copyright:  Silambam  Houston

B-­‐Natyam  FlashCards
These   color-­‐coded   FlashCard   apps   present   the   single   hand   gestures,   double   hand   gestures,   head   movements,   eye   movements,   and   neck   movements   of   Bharatanatyam   in   an   easy-­‐reference   format
literally  at  your  fingertips.  Each  FlashCard  app  features  beautiful  pictures  of  each  gesture,  in  an  intuitive   and  swipable  flash  card  format.  Click  on  a  gesture  flashcard  to  flip  it  over  and  see  its  uses  as  prescribed   in  the  ancient  texts.  Click  on  the  name  of  the  gesture  to  hear  its  pronunciation.
These   FlashCards   are   available   for   the   iOS   and   Android   platforms;   additional   FlashCard   sets   are   in
development  and  will  be  available  soon.
Copyright:  Silambam  Houston

Teachers
“This  Bharatanatyam  app  is  a  project  where  Bharatanatyam  reaches  every  dancer,  every  child  –   anyone  who  is  interested  in  Bharatanatyam……..a  very  deep  study”  –  Prof.  Sudharani
Raghupathy,  Bharatanatyam  legend  and  Padmashree  Awardee
“What  you  have  developed  is  very  interesting  and  I  feel  you  have  contributed  significantly  to   the  training  of  Bharatanatyam  with  the  apps.”  –  Smt.  Lata  Pada,  Bharatanatyam  ambassador,   exponent,  and  guru,  recipient  of  the    Pravasi  Bharatiya  Samman  Award,  and  founder/director  of
Sampradaya  Dance  Academy
“Such  a  novel  idea  and  a  wonderful  way  for  kids  to  learn  about  this  great  art  of  Bharatanatyam”
–  Nadanamamani  Priya  Murle,  Bharatanatyam  exponent  and  guru
“Very  user-­‐friendly….I’m  sure  the  next-­‐gen  Bharatanatyam  students  will  find  it  very  useful”  –
Aacharya  Choodamani  Smt.  Roja  Kannan,  ,  Bharatanatyam  exponent  and  guru
Dancers
“Keeps  youngsters  really  interested”  –  Yuva  Kala  Bharathi  Sridevi  Murali,  dancer
“Keeping  up  with  the  times  and  taking  Bharatanatyam  to  the  next  level”  –  Deepthi  S  Ravi,   dancer
Students
“Had  a  lot  of  games…..it  was  cool….I  like  the  app!”  –  Drishya,  6  year-­‐old  dance  student  in
Chennai
“I  think  this  app  is  a  fun,  easy  way  to  learn.”  Anwita,  10-­‐year-­‐old  dance  student  in  the  US
“The  flashcards  are  really  easy  to  use  and  they  help  you  learn  your  hastams….the  games  are   really  fun.”  Meghna,  11-­‐year-­‐old  dance  student  in  the  US.
Copyright:  Silambam  Houston