Sambhaji the elder brother of the great patriot Shivaji who ruled in Tanjore was a great devotee of dance. And how, we come to a period of enlightenment and progress - the advent of the illustrious Pandanallore brothers during the end of 19th century. The eldest brother Chinnayya was invited by Sri Krishna Devaraya the 'Third to Mysore and he trained many students and teachers of dance. The second brother Ponnayya and the third Shivanandam rendered exemplary 

services in the court of Sarabhoji. These brothers offered worship through the dances of their students in the Brihadeeshwara temple of Tanjore. The youngest brother Vadivelu was revered musician in the court of illustrious King Swati Thirunal of Travancore. Swati Thirunal was himself a great composer of music, a lover of Fine Arts and an able King. No wonder Vadivelu became a beloved friend of his king. Regarding the history of art in the late 19th and early 20th century, we know it from some of our elders. Surrounding some of the temples of Bangalore, Mulbagilu, Kudur, T-Narispur etc were many Devadasi-s who were well-known for their Bharatanatyam. In the 19th Century the Devadasi-s who had profound knowledge of music and dance and also literature were respected by the higher strata of society.

In the Mysore State, during the reign of Sri Krishna Devaraya III, Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar and Sir Krishna Deva Raya IV, there was a continuous interest and encouragement for Bharata Natyam as it was regularly performed in the courts of these Maharaja-s who gave the art great patronage. In North India, after the advent of the Muslim Kings, dance underwent a change and