A major form of Indian classical dance that is indigenous to Tamil Nadu. Bharatnatyam is one of the oldest classical dance traditions in India. According to legends, Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, revealed Bharatanatyam to sage Bharata who then encoded this holy dance form in Natya Shastra. It is assumed that the text was first completed between 200 BCE to 200 CE, however there are some records which indicate the time-frame to be between 500 BCE and 500 CE. This dance used to be taught by dance gurus  known as Nattuvanars and was originally practiced by the Devadasis, dancers who performed in the temples and danced during important festivals, ceremonies, and also at the time of worship.