Fire Dance

Which Indian classical dance is referred to as the “Fire Dance”?
a) Kathak
b) Bharatnatyam
c) Kuchipudi
d) Mohiniyattam
•    Origin: Evolved from Sadir (temple dance of devadasis) in Tamil Nadu; also called Dasiattam.
•    Codification: Early 19th century by the Tanjore Quartet—Chinniah, Ponniah, Vadivelu, Sivanandam.
•    Also known as: Tanjore Natyam.

Bharatnatyam
•    Why in News: Urmila Satyanarayanan received the Nritya Kalanidhi Award at the 19th Dance Festival, Music Academy, Chennai (Jan 3, 2026).
•    Origin: Evolved from Sadir (temple dance of devadasis) in Tamil Nadu; also called Dasiattam.
•    Codification: Early 19th century by the Tanjore Quartet—Chinniah, Ponniah, Vadivelu, Sivanandam.
•    Also known as: Tanjore Natyam.
•    Famous exponents: Yamini Krishnamurthy, Lakshmi Viswanathan, Padma Subrahmanyam, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Mallika Sarabhai.
Elements of a Bharatnatyam recital
•    Alarippu – Invocatory; rhythmic opening
•    Jatiswaram – Pure Nritta; no Abhinaya
•    Shabdam – Introduction of Abhinaya
•    Varnam – Core item; Nritta + Nritya
•    Padam – Abhinaya-centric; emotive
•    Jawali – Light, fast love lyrics
•    Thillana – Concluding pure Nritta