The oldest is south India's Bharata Natyaam school. Bharata may derive from words that mean "outward expression of spiritual feeling," "melody," and "rhythm." This is the dance that temple sculptures show.

Once, only devadasis performed it. Many people still think of it as meant solely for women. But some of the greatest dancers who have helped revive its fame are men. As in all Indian dances, hands play an important part. Their rich language of gestures can portray emotions, moods, or objects. So beautiful are these mudras in themselves that one can talk of "dancing hands." Kathakali (danced drama) comes from India's southwest coast.

Performers wear billowing skirt-like garments inspired by clothes Portuguese settlers wore 400 years ago. But Kathakali itself may be much older ~ three kinds of characters-the virtuous, the heroic, and the devilish-enact the life of gods and demons. Originally, only male dancers took part; Kathakali would test the stamina of the strongest.

Before it even starts, trained artists spend four hours applying the performer's complicated makeup. In the performance, which may last all night, mime plays a tremendous role. Performers must perfect nine separate eyeball movements. Unlike the temple dances, Kathakali appeals to all. It takes place in the open air, upon a platform where a large lamp adds its softly flickering light to the mysterious effect of costume and makeup.

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