Bharatanatyam

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/bharatanatyam

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the classification?One of the eight principal classical dance forms of India
2. What is the primary region of origin?Tamil Nadu, South India
3. Where did Bharatanatyam start?It began in the temples of Tamil Nadu, South India, where dancers served as servants of God and performed devotional songs and stories.
4. Why do Bharatanatyam dancers wear bells on their ankles?The bells, called ghungroo, help keep the rhythm and make the footwork sound musical while dancing.

Abhinaya: The art of expression in dance, using facial gestures, body movements, and hand signs to convey emotions and narratives.
Adavu: The fundamental unit or basic step in Bharatanatyam, combining footwork, hand gestures, and body posture.
Devadasi: A historical term for female temple dancers in South India, who were dedicated to the service of deities and the preservation of dance and music.