Can you really learn Bharatanatyam online?

It's one of the questions we hear most. The honest answer: yes, with the right teacher, the right setup and steady practice.

Several of our students learn from outside India, in Canada, the USA and beyond. Here is what learning Bharatanatyam online at Indīvarā Arts looks like, and how to get the most from it.

Live, not recorded

Our online classes are live sessions that follow the same Kalakshetra-tradition curriculum as the studio. Your teacher watches you dance in real time, corrects your posture and lines, and adjusts the pace to you. That feedback is what separates a class from a tutorial video.

Srushti will meet you where you are at as a dancer and help you evolve with grace and with encouragement. Pari, United States

Setting up your space

• Room to move: enough space to step sideways, stretch a leg and sit in araimandi without hitting furniture.
• The right floor: a clean, non-slippery surface you can dance on barefoot.
• Head to toe in frame: place your camera far enough away that your teacher can see your feet and hands at the same time.
• Good light: light falling on you, not behind you, so your shape is clear.
• Clear sound: a speaker loud enough to hear the rhythm while you move.
• A steady connection: close other apps and stay near your router if you can.

What students say

Srilekhya, who learns from Kitchener in Canada, started her formal training at 29 after years of searching for the right teacher:

She does not just teach you… the eye movement, the perfection, the rhythm, the story behind it, the body work, everything. Srilekhya, Canada

Watch their full stories on our Stories page.

Making it work

Online learning asks for a little more self-discipline. Practise between classes, record yourself sometimes to see what your teacher sees, and don't hesitate to ask questions. Whenever you get the chance, visiting the studio or joining a workshop in person is a wonderful addition.