History & Cultural Context
Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form of Tamil Nadu whose theoretical foundations trace to the Natya Shastra (c. 200 BCE - 200 CE); the performed tradition it descends from, Sadir, is documented in Tamil temple and court contexts from at least the 16th-17th centuries, and the question of older continuity is debated by scholars. Performed originally by devadasis (temple dancers), it combines pure rhythmic movement (nritta) with expressive storytelling (nritya) and dramatic elements (natya). [middle of paragraph unchanged: aramandi, footwork, mudras, abhinaya; colonial-era decline; 1930s revival — suggest adding "E. Krishna Iyer and" before Rukmini Devi Arundale, who proposed the name Bharatanatyam at the Madras Music Academy in 1932] Today it is one of the most widely practiced Indian classical dance forms worldwide.
Notable Codifiers
- Rukmini Devi Arundale
- Balasaraswati
- Meenakshisundaram Pillai
Bharatanatyam Music & Tempo
Drawn from 20 Bharatanatyam tracks in the LODance music library.
Example tracks at practice tempo
- Kaithala Niraikani - Ganapathi Vanakam Ganesha Kavuttuvam - Nattai - Adi, Alarippu - Vachaspati - Rupakam — Balameera Chandra, Bhuvana Ravi
- Virutham, Kumaragurupara - Padam - Saveri - Adi — Balameera Chandra, Bhuvana Ravi
- Thattadavu 3 — Utthara Unni Nithesh
- Pushpanjali - Veenavadhini - Adi — Madurai R. Muralidharan, Srikanth, Kuldeep M.Pai
- Sabdham - Khamboji - Chapu — Balameera Chandra, Bhuvana Ravi
- Naattadavu 1-8 — Utthara Unni Nithesh
Legends of Bharatanatyam
Dancers, choreographers and teachers whose work shaped this style.
Bharatanatyam on screen
Films and television where Bharatanatyam appears, with the sequences worth watching for.
Dance Like a Man (2004)3 sequences indexedRatna and Jairaj dance togetherRatna's recital under Jairaj's directionLata's arangetram
Bala (1976)2 sequences indexedKrishnani Begane Baro padam on the beachStudio varnam recital
Mayuri (1985)2 sequences indexedIdi Naa Priya NarthanaKailasamlo Thaandavamaade / Kailasathil Thaandavamaadum
Sagara Sangamam (1983)2 sequences indexed“Om Namah Shivaya” opening recital“Panchabhootham” Bharatanatyam correction
Thillana Mohanambal (1968)2 sequences indexedNadaswaram versus Bharatanatyam thillana face-offMaraindhirundhu Paarkum
Sringaram (2007)1 sequence indexedYen Nadha Mayam mother–daughter padam · chor. Saroj KhanPoster artwork and title data from TMDB. This site uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.
What to Wear
Attire guidance for Bharatanatyam and other Global South Asian Classical & Folk dances. Each card below is sized to the moment — class, practice, social, or competition — because the wardrobe shifts as the stakes do.
Reading the cards
In Class
Traditional practice wear varies by form: Bharatanatyam uses a specific practice sari or churidar; Kathak uses a long flowing skirt (ghagra) or churidar for spins.
Social Dancing
Traditional attire appropriate to the dance form and event. Formal performances and cultural events expect full traditional dress.
Competition
Full traditional costume specific to the dance form — often highly ornamented with jewelry, bells (ghungroo for Kathak), and culturally significant accessories.
Shoes
Most Indian classical forms are danced barefoot. Ghungroo (ankle bells) worn in Kathak and some other forms. Bare feet connect the dancer to the earth and allow complex footwork.
In Practice
Practice ghungroo bells are acquired early in Kathak and Bharatanatyam training; quality bells affect rhythm legibility and are not optional gear.
Price Range
- Budget: Practice churidar $30–80; entry-level ghungroo $40–100.
- Mid: Performance saris and traditional costumes $200–800; quality ghungroo $150–400.
- Premium: Bespoke performance costumes with hand embroidery $1,000–5,000+; master-crafted ghungroo $500–1,500.
Key Terms
- Ghungroo
- Strings of small metallic bells tied around the ankles in Kathak and several other Indian classical forms — they articulate footwork rhythmically.
- Churidar
- Tight-fitting trouser worn for practice in many North Indian classical forms; gathers at the ankle.
Quick Tips
- •Suede-soled shoes allow controlled sliding and pivoting — essential for most partner dances.
- •Avoid rubber soles on dance floors; they grip too much and can cause knee injuries.
- •Bring a separate pair of clean shoes for the dance floor to keep it in good condition.
Sources & Further Reading
Cultural & Historical Context
Bharatanatyam emerged from India (Tamil Nadu) during the -200s—present day. Understanding the cultural roots, musical traditions, and social circumstances of this era enriches appreciation for the dance's characteristics and significance.
Formative Influences
Codifiers & Standardizers:
Rukmini Devi Arundale, Balasaraswati, Meenakshisundaram Pillai
Primary Source Documents
The Library of Dance contains public-domain primary sources for dance history. Copyrighted modern syllabi are indexed with purchase links to their respective copyright owners. Search by dance name or codifier to discover primary source documents.
Last reviewed: August 2026 — This dance profile synthesizes historical research, cultural documentation, and contemporary practice knowledge to provide authoritative context.
More in Global South Asian Classical & Folk
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Global South Asian Classical & Folk in art
Browse the gallery →Works from the wider Global South Asian Classical & Folk tradition — we have not yet identified enough that depict Bharatanatyam specifically.
Anonymous - Krishna Revels with the Gopis, Page from a Dispersed Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherds) - 2003.165 - Metropolitan Museum of Art
anonymous · 1630
Depiction of Khamba-Thoibi Jagoi (ancient Meitei classical dance of Khamba & Thoibi) - in "Saratki Echel" - Modern Meitei language monthly magazine - in Bengali script - published by "Marup, Manipur"
Original author : Unknown · 1976
Illustration of Khamba-Thoibi Jagoi (ancient Meitei classical dance of Khuman Royal Scion Khamba & Moirang Princess Thoibi) - Cultural heritage of ancient Keke Moilang (Kege Moirang) Kingdom of early
Original author : Unknown · 1976
Temple Dancer
Unknown
Lady Dancing and Playing Castanets
Unknown
A nautch dancing girl. Gouache drawing.
Unknown artist
Bharatanatyam Dance DVD
Swathi Group.
[PICTURES] JHIJHIYA | Folk Dance Of Mithila (Ghar Ghar K Lokgeet)
rohini
Celestial Dancers folio 5 recto from Brahman Rishabhadat
Unknown artist
Dancing Apsaras
Unknown artist
Dancing Ganesha
Unknown artist
Grotesque Dancers Performing
Unknown artist
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