India's Classical Dance: Bharatanatyam

What is Bharatanatyam?

• a classical style of music from India

• a kind of jewelry worn in India

• one of the oldest religions from India

• a classical dance style from India

What does the author describe in this text?

• the kinds of music that go along with Bharatanatyam

• important parts or aspects of Bharatanatyam dance

• a famous story that has been told through Bharatanatyam dance

• the ancient religion of Hinduism

Read these sentences from the text.

"The [Bharatanatyam] dancer’s feet beat out different patterns that go along with the music. Often, the dancer wears bells around his or her ankles. These bells jingle along with the beat, too."

What conclusion can be drawn based on these sentences?

• The rhythm of the music is an important part of Bharatanatyam dance.

• Bharanatyam is often performed in silence.

• The beats in Bharatanatyam dance can be slow or fast.

• It is hard for Bharatanatyam dancers to dance with bells around their ankles.

Based on the text, what is a major purpose of Bharatanatyam dance?

• to get lots of people involved in the dance

• to show off fancy costumes

• to tell a religious story

• to draw attention to the music

What is the main idea of this text?

• People first began dancing Bharatanatyam in the Hindu temples of southern India many centuries ago.

• Bharatanatyam is a classical Indian dance style that includes music, rhythm, and emotion.

• Bharatanatyam dance involves using hand movements and facial expressions to tell a story.

• While Bharatanatyam was first danced in temples, it is now danced on stages and in theaters.

Read these sentences from the text.

"People first began dancing Bharatanatyam in the Hindu temples of southern India many centuries ago. [. . .] The dance expressed the religious themes of Hinduism."

Based on these sentences, what might the word “express” mean?

• to keep in secret

• to go against

• to show or communicate

• to create something new

Describe how Bharatanatyam dancers tell a story through dance.