The next Dynasty of South India, which provided great dance art was the Vijaynagar Dynasty. In 1520 A.D. during the reign of King Krishnadeva Raya of Vijaynagar, Bandham Laxminarayana a dance teacher wrote a treatise on 'Sangeeta' called 'Sangeeta Sarvodaya.' The famous Portuguese traveler Pais, has beautifully described a dance hall constructed by the King. He writes that the walls and 

pillars of this Hall were replete with dance statues. This Dance hall was broad and long suitable for practicing the dance art by aspiring dance students of dance to correct their poses. In one corner of the hall were drawings of girls with their bodies and limbs stretched and relaxed which gave information to us that those students knew how to relax after dance practice. But, alas, today these dance halls are gone, destroyed by the enemies of Vijayanagar Kings. It is believed that there were figures of 108 Karna's in these halls. There is no artist who does not know about the Lord Nataraja's temple at Chidambaram. This temple was gradually built from 6th century to 19th century A.D. In the Sanctum Sanctorum, there is an exquisite bronze statue of Lord Nataraja. Around this center, are the various halls, namely Dance Hall,

Golden Hall, King's Hall, Divine Hall and Chit Sabha (or Mind's Hall) and five different enclosures. A story is tole that a leprosy patient called Simhavarma came on a pilgrimage to Chidambaram and after bathing in the Shiva Ganga Pool was cured of this disease. In gratitude assuming the name of Hran-yavarma, he built around the Sanctum Sanctorum, these different halls. Later on across the centuries, the various kings erected the various