The Bhakti movement deeply influenced classical dance by integrating it into temple rituals. Dancers like Devadasis performed devotional pieces. It spread regional styles and made spiritual expression accessible. Kathakars, Bhagavatars, and Maharis enriched performances with stories praising deities like Shiva and Vishnu.
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The Bhakti movement, beginning around the 6th–7th century AD, played a key role in shaping regional classical dances in India. Devotional practices were expressed through dance in temples, where Devadasis, Maharis, and Tevadichhis performed as part of sacred rituals. The dances became a medium for storytelling and expressing spiritual devotion. The Kathakars in the North, Bhagavatars in the South, and Sattras in Assam used music and movement to portray tales of gods like Shiva. This movement made classical dance more accessible and relatable for common people by combining devotion, culture, and art, forming the foundation of many present-day dance traditions.