The Revival of Bharata Natyam
In the twentieth century, the dance tradition was revitalized and given a fresh impression by the respected male members of the Devadasi lineage. They dedicated themselves to organizing the dance movements into a respectable and progressive series of Bharata Natyam dance lessons with distinct impressions and came to be known as “Nattuvanars”. Foremost among them were four brothers who came to be known as the Tanjore Quartet. They were Chinnaih, Sivanandam, Ponnaih, and Vadivelu. In addition to them, other well-known Nattuvanars advanced the art form, made distinct and significant contributions, and came to be known as “Natya Acharyas.”
The next well-known milestone in the revival of Bharata Natyam was in the early 20th century, brought about by well-known dancers of the time, Bala Saraswathi, Uday Shankar, and Mrs. Rukmini Devi Arundale. Many aspects of dance received a fresh treatment under Mrs. Rukmini Devi Arundale. Dance units, called adavus, were enhanced and further reorganized; music was specially composed to suit the audience. Dance and music were carefully choreographed into thematic dance dramas. Costumes were redesigned, and the overall aesthetic of Bharata Natyam was elevated, earning praise from connoisseurs of the art in India and abroad. Uday Shankar is credited with taking dance to Europe. Martha Graham, a noted modern dancer, came to India to learn Bharatanatyam and introduced it to her New York audience.