Description
A very well known modern classical style of dance in India. It's said to have originated in Tamil Nadu, and a serious influence comes from the Tanjore Quartet in the early 19th century. But other areas of South India - including Mysore - have their own styles (Shyli) in this form.
It attributes its history most often to an ancient text - Silappatikaram, and to the Natya Shastra written by the sage Bharata. But the term Bharata Natyam and most traceable origins are the Indian independance movement with codification and popularization coming from Devadasis (like Balasaraswati), court dancers, and Brahmin women (like Rukmini Devi).