Bharatanatyam is one of the most popular and widely performed dance styles of India.It is a combination of the arts of the stage: music, color , rhythm and poetry.The dance derieves its technique from the treatise,Natya Sastra , written by Sage Bharata. It was nurtured in the temples and courts of Southern India since ancient times.This dance is classified into nritta or pure dance and abhinaya or portrayal of feelings. If nritta or pure dance is the body of dance,abhinaya maybe called its soul.Abhinaya is of 4 kinds. 

Angika  :Artistic movements of the face and body.

Vachika :The text of the poem presented as a song or speech.

Aharya :Decorations with garlands,jewellery and make up.

Satvika:Physical manifestations of emotions and feelings.

Abhinaya may be rendered through Loka Dharmi,conforming to what exists in the world or Natya Dharmi, the ideal to be followed as laid down in the treatises on the dance.

The Navarasa or the 9 emotions  portrayed in Bharatanatyam are

Sringara -Love, Veera-Valour,Karuna-Compassion,Adbhutha-Wonder

Hasya-Humour,Beebatsa-Disgust,Bhaya-Fear,Roudra-Anger,Shantha-Peace 

Bharatanatyam in its purest form strives to portray the spiritual awakening of the human soul and its longing for enlightenment.The dance is grounded in Bhakti  or devotion.Many of the dances are based on stories of Hindu mythology and legends.Through the performance, the dancer aims to lead herself, as well as the audience to spiritual enlightenment.

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