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He
in turn wrote the Sanskrit version called the Natya Shastra
which can easily be understood by the common man.
Detailed
description of various techniques of Indian drama, dance and
music from this book has inspired many bharatanatyam dancers
for centuries.
The
original manual is still preserved in the temple libraries
of Tanjore, home of Bharathanatyam in Southern India.
Many
still make their annual pilgrimage to the city of Chidambaram,
South India where the enshrined idol of Lord Nataraja, the
King of Dance, resides in a temple.
Bharatanatyam was earlier known as Sadir, Dasi attam,
and Thanjavur Natyam.
The
contemporary form of Bharatanatyam evolved during the late
18th and early 19th century.
During
that time it was only performed by a group of women called
Devadasis (meaning ‘servants of God’).
These
devadasis were accomplished singers, dancers and musicians
who devoted their life in honour of the temple’s presiding
Deity.
Sculptures
of these graceful dancers in their various poses can still
be seen chiselled in the ancient temple walls and gateways
of Tanjore and Chidambaram, South India.
As
time went by, this art form was brought into the palaces of
the great Moguls where it was treated with great respect.
But
later this dance became associated with courtesans which led
to its down fall.
But
the 1940s saw the revival of bharatanatyam once again.
This
time round it was hailed as the great ancient art which is
performed by various artists all over the world till this
present day.
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