Indian Bharatnatyam dancers are performers of the National dance form of India. Bharatnatyam dancers perform the dance style in one of the most sublime and classical postures. Bharatnatyam is considered to be about 2000 years old and it follows the principles of Natya Shastra. In this dance form the Bharatnatyam dancers make considerable use of hand-and-eye movements to express different emotions and gestures.

According to Natya Shastra, the qualities required in a female Bharatnatyam dancer or narthaki are beautiful limbs, is familiar with the sixty-four arts and crafts, clever, free from female diseases, courteous in behaviour, who excel by their beauty, always bold, inured to hard work, skilled in dancing and songs, free from idleness, capable of practising various arts and crafts, and others. Thus Bharatnatyam is a blend of music, emotion, rhythm and expression that is well displayed by the Bharatnatyam dancers. However, the dancers have to be accustomed with all the traditional aspects of classical dance like the mudras (hand positions), abhinaya (facial expressions), and padams (narrative dances).

Prominent Bharatnatyam Classical Dancers
India is gifted with many talented Bharatnatyam dancers. One of the most eminent Bharatnatyam dancers, who have immensely contributed to the development of Bharatnatyam, was E Krishna Iyer of Chennai. He conducted the first All India Music Conference in Madras in 1927. As a result of the conference, The Music Academy was born in 1928.

The style of Guru Meenakshisundaram Pillai was known as the modest Bharatnatyam dancer. He founded the Pandanallur school of Bharatanatyam. Balasaraswathi was known for her enchanting, inimitable and exquisite sancharibhavas in Abhinaya. Smt. Rukhmini Devi brought a revolution in the field of this dance form. She rectified the theory of Bharatnatyam. She designed the costume artistically and introduced exquisite jewellery and ornaments. Mrinalini Sarabhai attempted contemporary interpretation of mythological stories.

Some other noted Bharatnatyam dancers of contemporary India include Leela Rammohan Rao, who bagged the honour of being trained by the advocators of the traditional old dance form. Srinidhi Chidambaram is an eminent Bharatnatyam dancer who by profession is a doctor but possess an innate talent in dance. Srekala Bharath is considered to be the adherence of the Vazhvoor style of dance. Priyadarshini Govind is the highest award winner of the "Kalaimamani" by the state of Tamil Nadu and so on. Thankamani Kutty is another prominent Bharatnatyam dancer.

Acknowledging the talent of contemporary Indian Bharatnatyam dancer Nalini Prakash, the Government of India has conferred the Scholarship for Bharatnatyam many a times. Priya Murle can easily be regarded as a multifaceted personality who has carved a niche in the domain for herself. Besides being an illustrious Bharatnatyam dancer, A. Lakshman is also a trained Carnatic musician. Kumari Kavitha Ramu has bagged the honour to be trained under the famous Kalaimamani Srimathi K.J.Sarasa. Kalaimamani Srimathi K.J.Sarasa is a classicist who has established an impressive career spanning almost twenty-two years, with her graceful and gifted Bharatnatyam repertoire. Urmila Sathyanarayanan has been considered the most divine and devoted Bharatnatyam exponent. Uma Muralikrishna is a widely acclaimed and respected Bharatnatyam dancer who has a solid base and training in her respective field.

Bharatnatyam Classical Dancers usually start their training at a tender age and grow up to be proficient dancers, owing to the contribution of their Gurus. Swarnamailya Ganesh is the youngest recipient of `Yuvakala Bharati` by the Bharat Kalachar. Swarnamailya Ganesh is a classical dancer of Bharatanatyam. Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala is a significant Bharatanatyam dancer who has established `Kalapradarshini` Trust. A highly skilled dancer, Suryanarayana Murthy is attempting to shape his cherished dream in Chennai through his dance schools, "Bharata Kshetra." Deepa Ganesh have performed for more than two decades and won many accolades as recognition of her talent. The Bharatnatyam dancers are skilled personalities who create a vivid vision of their story in front of their spectators. Malathi Iyengar is one such highly skilled dancer, who has been regarded as the visionary in the domain of arts. Ganga Thampi has also contributed her creativity, skilfulness and astonishing perseverance to the sphere of Bharatnatyam.

The Indian Bharatnatyam dancers have been renowned across the world and have not only made their country proud, they have also showcased creativity and rich Indian culture to the rest of the world.