Alarippu

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Alarippu is traditionally the first dance piece that Bharatanatyam dancers learn. It is usually done first before other dances. The Alarippu can be in five different Jathis. The alarippu is a Tamil word, அலாரிப்பு.https://www.tamilvu.org/courses/diploma/a061/a0613/html/a0613664.htm Allaripu means the blossoming of a dancer. This dance item is composed of basic steps. It contains no abhinaya. Alarippu symbolizes the offering of respect to god, the guru, and the audience. The dance is entirely based on rhythm and focuses on relaxing the dancer's body. It contains a lot of neck, eye, and head movements.

The Alarippu (meaning flowering bud) is traditionally the first dance piece that Bharatanatyam dancers learn and perform in this type of classical dance recital.{{cite journal|last=Faubion Bowers|year=1953|title=The dance in India|publisher=Columbia University Press|pages=48–50}}{{cite book|last=Roy|first=Sujoya|title=For Ganesh, Remover of Obstacles|publisher=iUniverse, Inc. |date=June 15, 2005|pages=219|isbn=0-595-34556-5}} The Alarippu was created in five different talas by the four brothers, namely the Tanjore Quartet.

(verbal percussionist) and a mridangist. While dancing this piece shows basic steps. It contains no abhinaya (facial expressions). {{cite book|last=Ragini Devi|title=Dance Dialects of India|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Pub|date=July 1, 2002|edition=3|pages=[https://archive.org/details/dancedialectsofi0000ragi/page/56 56]|isbn=81-208-0674-3|url=https://archive.org/details/dancedialectsofi0000ragi/page/56}} The act is entirely based on rhythm and is focused on relaxing the body of the dancer, thereby relaxing their mind and symbolizes their awakening.{{cite book|last=Vatsayan|first=Kapila|title=The Square and the Circle of the Indian Arts|publisher=Abhinav Publications |date=June 15, 2003|pages=81|isbn=81-7017-362-0}}