Earlier this year, a rapt audience at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris soaked in the grandiose of the Brihadisvara Temple of Thanjavur, as Bharatanatyam exponent Bala Devi Chandrashekar presented a slice of history through her graceful moves. The feat was unparalleled, but not an inconceivable one — Bharatanatyam is one of the most widely travelled Indian dance forms.

Until early 20th century, however, Bharatanatyam was confined to the temples of southern India. And its history would perhaps have been different had it not been for T Balasaraswati. Born in a family of musicians and dancers who served the 18th-century Thanjavur court, Balasaraswati had her debut public performance at the age of seven. She gained early recognition for her expertise in the art form.