The Bharatanatyam Dance

Costume

For the Bharatanatyam dance, the most type of style is the the saree style. The costume is usually made out of silk with gold zari embroidery designs. The pleated skirt will open up elegantly when the dancer dances arai mandi (half sitting posture) and muzhu mandi (full sitting posture).

Jewellery

In Indian dances, there are usually two types of jewellery to wear: temple jewellery and imitated temple jewellery. For the Bharatanatyam dance, dancers usually wear temple jewellery. 

Temple jewelries are usually made by silver. Gem stones would be attached to bring more colour to the whole outfit and they are usually gold plated. These jewelries were originated from South India.  
Picture
Mattal (Ear piece)
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Colour Combination

The colour of the costume reflects on rasa (the human mind), they are usually classified into nine moods and each of the mood require a different costume colour. 

Rasa

Shringar (erotic)
Hasya (Humorous)
Kuruna (Pathetic)
Raudra (Terrible)
Veera (Heroic)
Bhayanaka (Fearful)
Bibhatsa (Odious)
Adbhuta (Wondrous)
Shanta (Peaceful)

Colour

Light green
White
Grey
Red
Light orange
Black
Blue
Yellow
White