‘Music for Dancers’ is designed to enhance the student’s understanding of Bharata Natyam. Carnatic music is an integral part of the Bharata Natyam education, because most items in a traditional Bharata Natyammargam or repertoire are set to Carnatic music compositions and involve aspects of Carnatic music. Hence, basic knowledge of underlying musical principles of Carnatic music will help the student develop a complete picture and communicate ideas more effectively through dance movement.

Initially, students will be taught the basics of talam (rhythm) and ragam(melody). Advanced lessons include more complex concepts, such as the relationships between ragam and abhinaya (emotion/expression) and the reciting of jatis (rhythmic syllables).