Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam originated in Tamilnadu and was earlier known as Daasiyattam. This dance form has been handed down through the centuries by dance teachers (or gurus) called nattuwanars and the temple dancers, called devadasis. In the sacred environment of the temple these familes developed and propagated their heritage. la The training traditionally took around seven years under the direction of the nattuwanar who were scholars and persons of great learning.

Famous Dancers: Bala Saraswati, C.V.Chandrasekhar, Leela Samson, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Padma Subramanyam, Rukmini Devi, Sanyukta Panigrahi, Sonal Mansingh, Yamini Krishnamurthi