Bharatanatyam Choreography: Beginners (16+)

The course consists of five sessions, covering: 

• Theory: Historical and mythological aspects of Bharatanatyam 
• Practical Training: Basic steps, choreography techniques, and improvisation 
• Personal Exploration: Students will create and refine their own choreography 
• Final Presentation: An informal performance to showcase the students’ work 

Students are expected to practice choreography outside of class and complete small research tasks after the second session. 

There are no entry requirements for this course and no previous acting experience is necessary.

Students should come to the course expecting to work hard, be challenged and enjoy contributing to the creative process.

This course is designed for students with little to no experience in South Asian dance, as well as those who wish to expand their knowledge of this art form. Participants will explore how Bharatanatyam movements can be adapted to different musical compositions, learn to develop their own choreography, and discover sources of creative inspiration. The course will feature easy-to-follow choreographies tailored to students’ abilities and interests, culminating in a performance at the end of the program.

By the end of this course, students will:

• Understand the foundational movements of Bharatanatyam and how they can be applied to choreography.
• Learn to create their own dance sequences and develop confidence in movement expression.
• Gain insight into musical interpretation and how to structure choreography for various compositions.
• Experience the joy of performing and showcase their progress in a final presentation.

What Makes This Course Unique?

This course stands out because it is based on creativity, personal expression, and adaptability to each student’s interests, abilities, and needs. Unlike rigid, one-size-fits-all dance programs, our approach allows students to explore Bharatanatyam in a way that resonates with them, whether they are beginners or have some dance experience.

What sets us apart?

• Personalized Learning: Our instructors tailor choreography and movement exploration to match students’ skill levels and creative interests.
• Expert Guidance: Our highly experienced teachers are not only accomplished choreographers but also specialists in working with multi-level groups, ensuring that every student feels supported and challenged.
• Creative Exploration: We encourage students to develop their own dance vocabulary, incorporating Bharatanatyam movements into unique choreographic expressions.
• Performance Opportunity: The course culminates in a showcase where students can present their work, building confidence and stage presence.

This is more than just a dance class—it’s an opportunity to discover artistic expression, develop new skills, and gain a deeper appreciation for South Asian dance in an inspiring and supportive environment.

No advance preparation is required for this course.

Participants should wear loose, comfortable clothes suitable for dancing – for example leggings and a t-shirt for girls, shorts or light/loose trousers for boys. Be prepared to work without shoes. Bring a notepad and pen/pencil in case you wish to make notes.

Students should bring water and healthy snacks as this course will be very physical. We recommend that a packed lunch is brought to the course as food option may be limited.

Lesson 1 

Theory:
Introduction to Indian classical dance styles and their influence on Bharatanatyam nowadays. 

Practical: 

• Basic Bharatanatyam steps 
• Learning the first 14 single-hand gestures and their meanings 
• Introduction to the 1st dance choreography for the final performance 
• Exploring movement transitions and choreography structuring 
• Discussing music choices for personal choreography projects 

Lesson 2 

Theory:
History of Bharatanatyam and its evolution. 

Practical: 

• Continuing with basic techniques 
• Learning and revising 14 additional hand gestures (total of 28) 
• Practicing eye and neck movements 
• Completing the second section of the first dance choreography 
• Discussing structure for the personal choreography projects 

Lesson 3 

Theory:
Understanding Bharatanatyam rhythms and musicality.

Practical: 

• Practicing foundational steps 
• Exploring defining movements of Indian dance (neck and shoulder movements) 
• Revising all 28 hand gestures 
• Beginning second dance choreography 
• Structuring and selecting movements for personal choreography

Lesson 4 

Theory:
The three aspects of Bharatanatyam and its distinction from Western dance forms. Exploring daily life depictions in Indian classical and folk dance.

Practical: 

• Discussing storytelling concepts in choreography 
• Completing the second dance choreography 
• Refining personal choreography projects 

Lesson 5 

Practical: 

• Practicing both group choreographies 
• Reviewing individual choreography pieces (up to 1 minute) 
• Final dance performance, featuring two group dances and solo presentations

Kirsten Newell 

A distinguished Bharatanatyam and contemporary dancer, Kirsten trained at Kalakshetra, Chennai. She has spent the past decade performing, teaching, and creating new works in the UK, India, and internationally. She has worked with leading artists, including Subathra Subramaniam, Akademi, Leela Samson, and ATMA Dance Company. Kirsten is dedicated to making South Asian dance accessible and innovative in Scotland, co-directing productions such as MaMa and Hebridean Treasure: Lost & Found. 

Oxana Banshikova 

Originally from Kazakhstan, Oxana is a Bharatanatyam teacher, dancer, and choreographer. She is the founder of Cosmic Dance Company and Associate Artistic Director of Beyond Bollywood (Hong Kong). Oxana trained at Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts and has been instrumental in popularizing Bharatanatyam in Hong Kong and Scotland. With over 18 years of teaching experience, she specializes in safe dance practices, having completed training in Yin Yoga and Pilates to promote a healthy approach to Bharatanatyam. 

Summer Accommodation

We are pleased to welcome students from across the world to our Summer Schools. Our course fees do not include accommodation or food, and these should be organised by the student. Our campus is located in Glasgow city centre, and you can find the addresses below.

We recommend Base Glasgow, as purpose-built accommodation for Conservatoire students, with Rehearsal Rooms, Practice spaces and Dance Studios. Base Glasgow is perfectly suited for our summer school students; both safe and secure, with 24/7 staff presence and only 3 mins walk from our main Renfrew Street building, keeping travel costs to a minimum.

Classic En-Suite rooms come with a 3/4 bed, en-suite bathroom, ample storage, mirror, study desk and chair. The shared area includes a spacious lounge and kitchen area.

Please note that Short Courses staff are not affiliated with BASE or on site outwith the summer school teaching hours, and therefore cannot take responsibility for students outside of these hours.

For more information about booking accommodation at BASE Glasgow you can contact them directly via website BASE – Student Accommodation in Glasgow or email baseglasgow@herestudents.com.

Alternatively, there are plenty of hotels, hostels, and b’n’b options available. We are located close to transport links should you wish to stay outside the city centre. If you are travelling to Glasgow for a course, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers course fees, travel, accommodation, and cancellations due to COVID-19 – as RCS will not refund in this circumstance. You can view the Cancellations and Refund policy for full information.

For students under 18 years old, we strongly advise travelling with a responsible adult should any emergency situations arise during class. Students are only monitored by staff during class times.

Renfrew Street Campus: 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB
Wallace Studios Campus: 210 Garscube Road, Glasgow, G4 9RR