Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest classical dance forms of India with its roots stretching back over 2000 years to the temples of Tamil Nadu.

The original manuscripts of this intricate dance form were found in ancient texts like Natya Shastra written by Bharata Muni. In its literal translation, “Natya” means dance and “Shastra” means the “science of dance”. Almost all of India’s classical dance forms originated through Natya Shastra.

Formerly referred to as “Sadir”, it was traditionally performed by Devadasis – women who dedicated themselves to Gods in temples through dance and music.

The golden era of Baratanatyam was during the Chola dynasty (9th to 13th century) when it was as important to temple ceremonies as Wi-Fi is to modern life. This dance brought mythological stories to life with a combination of dramatic narration (abhinaya), expressive hand gestures (mudras), and fast paced footwork (adavus).

Fast forward to the 19th century, Bharatanatyam was on the verge of extinction due to the colonial British government’s disapproval of the Devadasi tradition.

However, early 20th-century artists like E. Krishna Iyer and Rukmini Devi Arundale revitalized and transformed Bharatanatyam. They brought it to the concert stage and changed how it was presented, removing its temple only status and giving it a more contemporary twist.

With its gracefulness, accuracy, and expressive storytelling, Bharatanatyam is not only surviving but flourishing internationally today, all the while keeping India’s rich cultural heritage dancing in the spotlight.