- State: Tamil Nadu
- Source: The Abhinaya Darpana by Nandikesvara is one of the main sources of textual material dealing with Bharatnatyam Dance.
- Features
- Bharatnatyam dance is known to be ekaharya, where one dancer takes on many roles.
- The dance involves transitional movements of leg, hip and arm.
- Expressive eye movements and hand gestures are used to convey emotions.
- The person who conducts the dance recitation is the Nattuvanar.
- Seven main parts – Alarippu, Jatiswaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Padam, Thillana and Sloka.
- Bharatanatyam poses are depicted on the gopurams of the Chidambaram temple.
