By this time the Devadasis had fallen upon evil days due to lack of state patronage and changed social mores. The revival of Bharata Natyam by pioneers brought the dance out of the temple precincts and onto the proscenium stage though it retained its essentially devotional character. Today Bharata Natyam is one of the most popular and widely performed dance styles and is practiced by male and female dancers all over India. Due to its wide range of movements and postures and the balanced melange of the rhythmic and mimetic aspects lends itself well to experimental and fusion choreography. Degree and Post Graduate courses covering the practice and theory of Bharata Natyam as well as the languages associated with its development are available at major universities of India.
Indian dance is above all religious.
It is a dance for a soloist and its very difficult technique requires many years of practise. Bharata-Natyam requires vigour and grace, balance and suppleness, a great physical endurance and a faultless sense of rhythm. The movements are ample and precise, always symmetrical. The technical vocabulary comprises jumps, spins, and balanced attitudes. This interior reality is not only awoken in the dancer, but also in the audience.