Bharatnatyam

Bharatanatyam originated in southern India in the state of Tamilnadu. It started as a temple dance tradition called Dasiyattam (the dance of the maid-servants) 2000 years ago and is perhaps the most advanced and evolved dance form of all the classical Indian dance forms. The name Bharatanatyam is a simple derivation from the four most important aspects of dance (in Sanskrit). 

These are: Bha from Bhava meaning emotion, Ra from Raga meaning music or melody, Ta from Taala meaning rhythm and Natyam meaning dance. Thus Bharatanatyam is the dance that encompasses music, rhythm and expressional dance or Abhinaya and strictly adheres to the Natyashastra (the scripture of classical Indian dance).

Kalakshetra dance style of bharatnatyam is characterised by a linear form of the body without any pronounced movement of the upper body and linear spatial patterns, which make the dance form extremely dynamic and powerful and is famous for its focus on the Angika. 

The lines are stressed and a precise way of holding the Mudra is emphasised and the words of the lyrics are almost used as tala indicators for placing the hand in an exact position even during narration. But no other style has matched the beauty of a Kalakshetra leap.