Bharatanatyam Costume Costume
Embody the grace and spiritual expression of India's classical dance heritage.
The Bharatanatyam costume is a traditional South Indian ensemble worn by classical dancers to perform sacred storytelling dances. Originating in Tamil Nadu, this vibrant outfit is designed for fluid movement and features a signature pleated fan that opens beautifully during deep knee bends. The look is completed with rich temple jewelry, intricate makeup, and decorative red dye on the hands and feet.
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Time
- ~60 min
- Budget
- $80–250
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What you need for a Bharatanatyam Costume costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Bharatanatyam Costume costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Bharatanatyam Dance Dress (Pyjama Style)
A pre-stitched multi-piece outfit made from Kanchipuram or Dharmavaram silk, featuring a pleated fan attached to the front pants, a blouse, and a waist seat piece.
DIY: Drape a traditional silk saree into a Maharashtrian-style dhoti and pin a hand-pleated fabric fan to the front waistband.
Temple Jewelry Set
A matching set of gold-plated jewelry with red and green stones, including a choker, a long necklace, ear studs with hanging chains (Katal), and a waist belt (Oddiyanam).
DIY: Use ornate gold-colored costume jewelry with red and green faux gemstones.
Head Ornaments (Thalaisaman)
A set of hair ornaments including the sun (Surya) and moon (Chandra) discs placed on either side of the hair parting, and a central forehead piece (Nethi Chutti).
DIY: Secure gold medallions or decorative gold trim along the hairline using bobby pins.
Ghungroo (Ankle Bells)
A pair of leather or fabric pads lined with brass bells, securely tied around the ankles to emphasize rhythmic footwork.
Alta (Red Liquid Dye)
A bright red liquid dye applied in circles on the palms and fingertips, as well as around the borders of the feet to highlight hand gestures (mudras) and footwork.
DIY: Use washable red face paint or highly pigmented red lip stain.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Bharatanatyam Costume costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the pre-stitched silk blouse and the pyjama-style pants, ensuring the pleated front fan is centered and secure.
- 2
Wrap and pin the matching sash (Dhavani) tightly across the chest from the left shoulder to the right waist.
- 3
Secure the heavy gold temple jewelry, starting with the choker, the long necklace, and then fastening the rigid gold waist belt (Oddiyanam) to hold the pleats in place.
- 4
Style your hair into a neat center part, slicked back into a long braid decorated with a hair extension (Jada) and fresh or faux white jasmine flowers (Gajra).
- 5
Attach the head jewelry (Thalaisaman) along the hairline and secure the sun and moon discs on their respective sides of the parting.
- 6
Tie the Ghungroo ankle bells firmly around your ankles, ensuring they are snug but do not restrict circulation.
- 7
Apply the red Alta dye in solid circles on the center of your palms, on your fingertips, and in a clean border around your bare feet.
Makeup & hair
Apply dramatic winged black eyeliner (Kajal) extending outward to define the eyes, a red bindi on the forehead, and bright red lipstick. Hair must be parted in the center, slicked back into a low bun or a long braid wrapped in white jasmine flowers (Gajra).
Bharatanatyam Costume for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair with a partner wearing a traditional male Bharatanatyam costume consisting of a silk dhoti, a matching sash, and temple chest ornaments.
- group
- Coordinate a group in matching silk costumes of contrasting colors (e.g., royal blue and gold, deep red and green) to mimic a classical dance troupe.
- kids
- Use a lightweight, pre-stitched cotton or art-silk dance costume with minimal, lightweight plastic jewelry for comfort.
- Plus size
- Opt for custom-stitched silk costumes which allow for exact measurements, ensuring comfort and ease of movement in the hips and shoulders.
Tips
- Use plenty of safety pins to secure the pleated fan and sash so they do not shift during movement.
- Wear a nude body liner or snug undershirt beneath the costume to prevent the stiff silk and metallic embroidery from scratching your skin.
- Practice walking in the ankle bells beforehand to get used to the weight and sound.
- Apply the Alta dye well in advance and let it dry completely to avoid staining the silk costume.
Bharatanatyam Costume costume FAQ
- What is the significance of the pleated fan in the Bharatanatyam costume?
- The pleated fan stretches open beautifully when the dancer performs the signature half-sitting posture (Araimandi), visualising the geometric precision of the dance movements.
- Can I wear a regular saree instead of a pre-stitched costume?
- Yes, but it requires a specific, complex draping style (such as the dhoti style) and many safety pins to ensure it stays secure during active dancing.
- Why is red dye applied to the hands and feet?
- The red dye, called Alta, draws the audience's attention to the intricate hand gestures (mudras) and precise footwork that are central to the storytelling.
Did you know? Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest classical dance traditions in India, dating back over 2,000 years, and was originally performed in temples by temple dancers known as Devadasis.