One of the oldest and the principalclassical art form of dance is Bharatnatyam, which had its origin in the south India especially in Tamil Nadu. Since the ancient time this dance form has been nurtured in the temples of south India. According to some believes the word Bharata denotes the meaning of the `author of the famous Sanskrit treatise on stagecraft, called NatyaShastra. The whole word Bharatnatyam consideres as the etymology with folk esseence, `Bha for Bhava or abhinaya and expression, Ra for raga or melody, and Ta for tala or rhythm`. Bharatnatyam is reckoned to be a fire dance - `the mystic manifestation of the metaphysical element of fire in the human body`.

The true dance of Bharatanatyam is associated with the physical beauty. A person who wants to be the professional Bharatnatyam dancer should possesses some attributes that is desirable for the dance form. In the AbhinayaDarpana, there is a sloke through which Patra Prana Dasha Smrutaha - the ten essential attriutes of the dancer can be described. They are: Javaha (Agility), Sthirathvam (Steadiness), Rekha (graceful lines), Bhramari(balance in pirouettes), Drishti (glance), Shramaha (hard work), Medha (intelligence), Shraddha(devotion), Vacho (good speech), and Geetam (singing ability).

Orginally performed only by female temple dancers, the art fell into disrepute as temple dancing became associated with prostitution, but it was revived in its original purity in the late 19th century. According to Abhinayadarpanam (one of the two most authoritative texts on Bharatanatyam) a professional Bharatnatyam dancer should also possesses the traits youthful, slender, beautiful, with large eyes, with well-rounded breasts, self-confident, witty, pleasing, well aware of when to dance and when to stop, able to follow the flow of songs and music, and to dance to the time (thalam), with splendid costumes, and of a happy disposition.

Today bharatnatyam is regarded as one of the well accomplished tradition old dance style that is practiced all over the world with high esteem. Some of the noted Bharatnatyam dancers of today are:
Leela Rammohan Rao --- Leela Rammohan Rao has been reckoned as one of the legendary Bharatnatyam Dancer, who bagged the honor to be trained from the advocators of the tradition old dance form.

Srinidhi Chidambaram--- She is an eminent Bharatnatyam dancer who by profession is a doctor but possess an innate talent in dance.

Srekala Bharath ---This well accomplished Bharatnatyam Dancer, is considered to be the adherence of the Vazhvoor style of dance.

Priyadarshini Govind --- An illustrious Bharatnatyam Dancer, Priyadarshini Govind is the highest award winner of the "Kalaimamani" by the state of Tamil Nadu.

Nalini Prakash ---- acknowledging her talent the government of India has conferred her the Scholarship for Bharatnatyam many a times.

Priya Murle--- Priya Murle can easily be regarded as a multifaceted personality who has carved a niche in the domain for herself.

A. Lakshman --- Besides being an illustrious Bharatnatyam dancer, he is also a trained Carnatic musician.

Kumari Kavitha Ramu --- Kumari Kavitha Ramu has bagged the honor to be trained under the famous Kalaimamani Srimathi K.J.Sarasa.

Manjula Lusti Narasimhan--- Manjula Lusti Narasimhan, a classicist who has established an impressive career spanning almost twenty-two years, with her graceful and gifted Bharatanatyam repertoire.

Urmila Sathyanarayanam --- Urmila Sathyanarayanan amongst the proponents of her generation has been considered as the most divine and devoted Bharathanatyam exponent.

Uma Muralikrishna--- Uma Muralikrishna is a widely acclaimed and respected Bharatanatyam and kuchipudi Dancer who has a solid foundation and training.

Swarnamailya Ganesh---- The youngest recipient of `Yuvakala Bharati` by the Bharat Kalachar, Swarnamailya Ganesh is a classical dancer of Bharatanatyam and Odissi.

Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala---- Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala is a significant Bharatanatyam dancer who has established `Kalapradarshini` Trust.

Suryanarayana Murthy ---- A highly skilled dancer Suryanarayana Murthy in the form of his dance schools "Bharata Kshetra", is attempting to shape his cherished dream in Chennai.

Deepa Ganesh --- Deepa Ganesh, as a gifted persona have performed for more than two decades and won many accolades as recognition to her talent.

Malathi Iyengar--- A highly skilled dancer, Malathi Iyengar has been regarded as the visionary in the domain of arts.

Ganga Thampi --- Ganga Thampi has contributed her creativity, skillfulness, and astonishing perseverance to the domain of Bharatanatyam.

Sheejith Krishna --- Under the tutelage of his well-known dancer parents, Sheejith Krishna has been initiated to the dance.

Jayashree Rajagopalan --- Jayashree Rajagopalan`s main aim is to propagate the ancient dramatic technique of the natya sastra known as (Marga), which was restored to consciousness by her Guru Dr. Padma Subhramanium, both nationally and globally.

Jetty Roels --- A Belgian origin, Indian classical dance performer, Jetty Roels serves as the visiting professor of "Dance History" at the University of Gent.

Meenakshi Ganesan---The founder director of the performing art centre Kalaanjali Meenakshi Ganesan at the tender age of 13 years performed her arengetram (dance debut).

Ananda Shankar Jayant ---`Sri Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum`, `Buddham Saranam Gachchami`, `Jonathan Livingston Seagull`, `What About Me?," are the critically acclaimed production by Ananda Shankar Jayant.

Indira Kadambi --- Indira Kadambi strongly believes in the classical traditional art form and through her artistry the dignity and geometry glowed naturally.

Lakshmi Priya --- Lakshmi Priya, an eminent dancer of Bharatnatyam with all her sincerity and dedication rose to the prominence.

Lakshmi VN--- An eminent Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancer Lakshmi VN has established service-oriented organization called NATYA that is involved in promoting and staging up-coming talents.

Malavika Sarukkai --- Malavika Sarukkai has been esteemed for her unique style of incorporating the modernity to the traditional art form of Bharatanatyam.

Namita Bodaji ---- Namita Bodaji is an eminent dancer and a yoga practitioner who holds the title of "Singar Mani".

Neena Prasad --- Dance is a `Tapasya` to the eminent Bharatnatyam dancer Neena Prasad.

Radha Dutta--- Radha Dutta has established her dance and music academy "Kalalayam". At the academy she teaches Bharata Natyam, Mohiniattam, folk dances (including Bangladeshi and South Indian folk styles).

Rajika Puri--- Rajika Puri is an Indian Classical bharatnatyam dancer, who has carved a niche for her in the western stage.

Satyavani Iswara--- A prominent Indian Classical dancer Satyavani Iswara attempted to spread Indian culture and tradition through the promising Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dancers.

Shoba Natarajan---- An illustrious Bharatnatyam dancer, Shoba Natarajan at the tender age of eight years has performed her arangetram under the able tutelage of legendary Kamala.

Shreelata Suresh---- An eminent Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancer, Shreelata Suresh at the tender age of six years, Shreelata Suresh began her training under the able tutelage of Vyjayantimala Bali.

Sirisha--- A child prodigy, Sirisha who has carved a niche for herself in the domain of dance.

Sucharita Datta--- Sucharita Dutta is an eminent Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali and Kuchipudi dancer.

Sudha Chamdra Sekhar--- Through her splendid performances, Sudha Chamdra Sekhar has wooed the dancer-lovers all across the world.