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Welcome to Nava Natyam

Founder:Neha Jatla

Hello! My name is Neha Jatla and I am a senior in high school. I am the founder of the Bharatanatyam Dance Academy, Nava Natyam.

I completed my Bharatanatyam Arangetram during my sophomore year of high school and have taught elementary schoolers Bharatanatyam for 4 years. From teaching the basic adavus, hand hastas, cultural meaning, and intricate dances, my students have been performing across various temples and festivals.

I am also well versed in Sangitham having completed my senior certificated and gaining 16 college credits with Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University.

Student Performances:

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Nava - Natyam

It means the number 9 and "new". The 9 elements that exist in this dance academy are:

1. Nrita (rhythmic dance movements)

2. Nritya (nrita + natya)

3. Abhiniya (facial expressions)

4. Adavus (Basic building blocks of steps)

5. Aramandi (basic bending posture)

6. Jathi (a part with a rhythmic meter)

7. Bhava (the art of expression)

8. Talam (the rhythmic beat)

9. Ragam (the musical element)

It means the actual motion of dance. It comes from Sanskrit origin.

Nāṭyam is among the seven types of kuttu, which is all about dancing. This knowledge comes from the first book of the Pañcamarapu, which digs into niruttam or dance, and that's just one of the sixty-four arts it delves into. By the way, the Pañcamarapu, also known as the "five-fold traditional usage," holds a pretty important spot in Tamil literature.

Why do I Teach?

Through my students and my experience, I realize the importance of shaping young minds and being a role model. Sharing the talents that I developed with others, gives me responsibility for not only teaching them about the course but skills needed to think brighter: time management, productivity, the importance of hard work, and the value of learning.

As an important piece of my cultural identity, connecting with my community and teaching our traditions has taught me more about my past. Bharatanatyam not only is an ancient Indian dance, but a storytelling medium to express the complexity of my American and Indian identity. Ironically, telling the stories of the deities empowers me to tell mine.

With Bharatanatyam, I’m able to break western stereotypes and prejudice against Indian women. More than just an art form, it has become the reason to speak up and promote the feeling of empathy to understand my diverse culture. This year I have taught a batch of kids who will perform an Indian classical dance at the Diwali Festival.

Their progress from being naïve and wild-spirited children to disciplined, knowledgeable, and hardworking children have motivated me to keep teaching dance forms. To be a catalyst of change and inspiration in a child’s life has been rewarding in the sense that little by little, I am impacting our community and with them, we could impact so many more.