Anatomical Drawing of Lower Limb Musculature Involved in the Eccentric Stances of Bharatanatyam: A Theoretical Aid

Bharatanatyam is a culturally rich Indian classical dance form that involves rhythmic and repetitive dance movements requiring speed and precision. Though lower extremity electrodiagnostic studies have been reported largely across studies involving ballet, there exists lack of knowledge about movement anatomy in Bharatanatyam dancers. As in other dance forms, lower extremity are the essential pillar in Bharatanatyam, hence this paper presents anatomical drawing of lower limb musculature involved in the three basic stances of Bharatanatyam, namely Samapadam (Standing), Aramandi (half-seated) and Mandi (seated), and communicate the various muscle action involved in these stances, based on personal experience and published literature in ballet, thereby creating a dynamic map forming theoretical basis that would aid in easy and better understanding of lower limb movement anatomy amidst Bharatanatyam dancers and those involved in their medical care.