Nritta is the pure rhythmic dance that is meant to be decorative and where the movements do not interpret any idea or convey any meaning or semtiment. From the opening numbers of Bharatanatyam recital to the final Thillana*, nritta plays a vital role in producing abstract and aesthetically beautiful, dynamic movements. Nritta can be broadly divided into Chari, Karana, Angahara and Mandala. One-leg movement is called Chari. Two-leg movements are Karana. 3 Karanas make a Khanda. 3 to 4 Khandas make a Mandala. 4 to 9 Karanas make an Angahara. 4 to 5 Angaharas also make a Mandala. 108 Karanas and 32 Angaharas are defined in Natyashatra. The 13 Nritta Hastas (see below) are used to perform nritta. The rhythmic body movements along with hand gestures are called aduvus. A number of aduvus constitute a jati. Jati will generally end with a Muktaya or Teermanam. There are different types of Adavus: Tattaduvu, Mettaduvu, Nataduvu, Kattaduvu, Kudittamettaduvu, Maiaduvu, Mandiaduvu, Jati, Nadai, Ardi. There are 12 aduvus in each type, making it 120 aduvus in total. Only about 70-80 are generally practiced by an average Bharatanatyam dancer. Aduvus are often confused with the 108 Karanas carved in the Chidambaram Temple in Tamilnadu, India. The entire body is divided into Anga, Pratyanga and Upaanga Anga - Head, Hands, Chest, Waist, Bottom, Legs are the six angas. Some Bharatanatyam experts distinguish also Neck. Pratyanga -Shoulders, Arms, Stomach, Thighs, Knees are the six pratyangas. Some Bharatanatyam experts distinguish also Wrists, Elbows and Ankles . Upanga - Sight, Eyebrow, Eyelids, Eyeballs, Cheeks, Nose, Gums, Lower lip, Teeth, Tongue, Chin and Face are the 12 Upangas. me Bharatanatyam experts distinguish also Heels, Fingers, Feet and Palms. Pratyangas and Pangs should move along with the Angas. Anga Lakshana, the movements of body parts, is described below. Shirobhedha - Head Movement Greevabhedha - Neck Movement Drushtibhedha - Eye Movement Paadabhedha – Feet Movements Mandala - Standing Posture Utplavana - Leaps Bhramari - Circling Movement Chari - Leg Movement Gatibhedha - Characteristic walks Hastas or Mudras - Hand Movements: Hasta-s Asamyuta Hasta Samyuta Hasta Deva Hasta Dashavatara Hasta Navagraha Hasta Jaati Hasta Bandhu Hasta Nritta Hasta When all Angas (main body parts) are coordinated (along with pratyanga and upaanga), the Bharatanatyam dancer is said to possess Angashudhi. Anga meaning body parts, and shudhi means perfection or purity. The Natyashastra has shloka-s describing how to perform all the above movements. The Dance performed by Lord Shiva is known as Tandava, virile aspect. The tandava performed with bliss is called Ananda Tandava. The tandava of the violent and destructive aspect is called Rudra Tandava.