---
title: "Bharatanatyam Definition and Overview | Model Diplomat"
description: "Bharatanatyam is a classical solo dance from Tamil Nadu, rooted in temple traditions. It's one of India's oldest dance forms, rich in history."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/bharatanatyam"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Bharatanatyam is a classical solo dance form of Tamil Nadu, codified from the temple traditions of the devadāsis and grounded in Bharata's Nāṭyaśāstra.
- On which texts is Bharatanatyam theoretically based?
- Who were the Tanjore Quartet and why are they important?
- What is the margam sequence in a Bharatanatyam recital?
- How was Bharatanatyam affected by colonial law and later revived?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Bharatanatyam is a classical solo dance form of Tamil Nadu, codified from the temple traditions of the devadāsis and grounded in Bharata's Nāṭyaśāstra.

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In 1936 Rukmini Devi Arundale founded Kalakshetra in Madras, reviving the devadasi sadir tradition as the stage art now known as Bharatanatyam.

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