Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2016
Abstract
Despite enormous popularity of bharatanatyam, little is known about its social history. This article finds the main reason for it in the still embarrassing legacy of devadasis, temple dancers and courtesans, in whose art the dance originated.
The article sketches the social atmosphere of the so called dance revival and the factors that changed a despised courtesan art into respected national dance. It discusses aspects of bharatanatyam that are direct heritage of devadasis and innovations introduced to dance during revival.