Origins of Bharatanatyam (Devadasis)

While the text dictating guidelines of Bharatanatyam had noble origins, from the noble mind of Sage Bharata, the dance form itself claims more humble origins. Bharatanatyam was conceived from the dances of the devadasis, women of female communities who inherited their right and gift of dance from a long line of women before them. The devadasis performed in temples, celebrations for the elite class, and in royal courts, where their presence was greatly anticipated and appreciated. The dance form itself was refined mostly from the forms danced in the Royal Courts of the southern Indian States of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The devadasis was held in positions of high respect for their expertise in the arts, and enjoyed quite a high social position in India until the Victorian Era. As their legacy, devadasis choreographed many of the dances that remain key pieces in the Bharatanatyam repertoire today.