Bharathanatyam was previously called Sadirattam. It is an Indian classical dance established in ancient Tamil Nadu. This graceful artform is accompanied by music and a singer, and the dancer's guru is present as the Nattuvanar, director, and conductor of the performance and art. The dance represents an interpretive narration of mythical legends and spiritual ideas from the ancient Hindu text, Natya Shastra. The theory behind the musical notes, vocal performance and the dance movement were found in the Natya Shastra, and Tamil texts such as the Abhinaya Darpana. The salient features of Bharathanatyam are movements in space mostly either along straight lines or triangles. In terms of geometrical designs, the dancer appears to weave a series of triangles besides several geometrical patterns. The performance repertoire of Bharatanatyam includes nrita (pure dance), nritya (solo expressive dance) and natya (group dramatic dance). The name Bharathanatyam derived by joining two words, ‘Bharatha’ and Natyam’ where ‘Natyam in Tamil means dance and ‘Bharatha’ is a mnemonic comprising ‘bha’, ‘ra’ and ‘ta’ which respectively means ‘bhava’ that is emotion and feelings; ‘raga’ that is melody; and ‘tala’ that is rhythm. Thus, traditionally the word refers to a dance form where bhava, raga and tala are expressed. The dance form typically comprises of sequential dance items namely Alarippu, Jatiswaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Padam and Thillana.