It is difficult to pinpoint the very first Bharatanatyam dancer, as the origins of the dance form date back centuries and it has evolved over time with various influences. However, some historians believe that Bharatanatyam has its roots in the ancient temple dance tradition of the devadasis, who were women trained in dance and music and dedicated to serving the deity in Hindu temples.
Over time, Bharatanatyam developed into a more formalized and structured dance form with specific techniques and styles. Some early pioneers of modern Bharatanatyam include Rukmini Devi Arundale, who founded the Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai in 1936, and E. Krishna Iyer, who was instrumental in developing a system of notation for Bharatanatyam. However, many dancers and gurus have contributed to the development and preservation of Bharatanatyam over the years, and it continues to be a vibrant and evolving art form to this day.