Framework for Teaching Bharatanatyam through Digital Medium

Abstract

Bharatanatyam is one of the most ancient Indian classical dance forms. There are students spread across the globe who learn this dance form at dance schools. Yet there exists no digital platform to help them systematically understand and independently practice the dance. This paper illustrates an effort to develop a digital Bharatanatyam interaction. A hierarchical architecture is extracted from the dance movements by analyzing its grammar. This is used in developing a framework to digitize the dance form. A mobile-based applet can then be implemented, as a teaching aid for this dance form, to the enthused in a game based approach. This would enhance thestudents' understanding and also assist them in a virtual guided practice.