Rating: Summary: There aren't any better instructional DVDs! Review: Padma Chebrolu's two DVD's are the ONLY instructional DVDs that are to be found in the whole world. Thanks to David Morrison, they are made by the international standards and with the international students in mind, and are way above any instructional VHS or VCD videos that have ever been produced.And because these two DVDs are instructional, there is no point comparing them to other DVDs for 2 reasons: 1) Anita Ratnam's is a just brief general (like an encyclopedia article) introduction to Bharatanatyam, while Medha Hari's is a showcase of a top young dancer whose agility and facial abhinaya is naturally different from the older dancers (it is unfair to compare a 50-year-old gymnast with a 16-year-old!) 2) Anita Ratnam's, P.Chebrolu's and Medha Hari's styles are all too different to be compared with each other. This is why by buying P.Chebrolu's videos you never risk coming across anything similar. And, at the Amazon.com price, this is a very good bargain. Franca Richi
Rating: Summary: Good Video Review: This is a great video if you want to learn more about the techniques, practise and training in Bharata Natyam. You could probably learn some basics by self study from it, but for this use the video is limited because each technique is only demonstrated once or twice so you'd probably want to copy and repeat each technique many times on another blank tape.
Rating: Summary: LEARNING DANCES OF INDIA - VIA VIDEO Review: This is an excellent video. The quality is definitely a 5 stars. The instructor's method is easy to follow and understand. This video will provide the people of India's culture a method for keeping their traditions alive throughout generations. Young as well as old, experienced as well as inexperienced, will be able to follow the instructions. The instructor's method of sharing the connection of body, hand, and eye movements, helps the viewer understand the importance of each movement. A welcome addition to the dance arena and more so, to the Culture of India.
Rating: Summary: Not quite what I expected... Review: This video is a great idea! I really wanted to learn these dances, and Padma Chebrolu is great. However, I expected this to be filmed similar to other dance videos (my experience being in M.E. dance), showing the steps and practising TOGETHER. This video shows you the step once or twice and then covers the next step. I would have preferred to cover the dances a little more thoroughly. I guess I'm just very visual and need to see things a few times in succession before I get the hang of it. Regardless, this is very informative, and well done. Format aside, a great video.
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