Bharatanatyam is a dance of Tamil Nadu in southern India. It traces its origins back to the Natyashastra, an ancient treatise on theatre written by the mythic priest Bharata. Originally a temple dance for women, bharatanatyam often is used to express Hindu religious stories and devotions.

Kathak is characterized by intricate footwork and precise rhythmic patterns that the dancer articulates. It takes its movements from life, stylizes them, and adds the complex rhythmic patterns. Kathak is one of the 8 classical dance form.