North Indian Kathak and South Indian Bharata Natyam both originated from story telling in Hindu temples. The repertoires of the two styles draw from the same ocean of Indian stories, as well as from Sanskrit devotional poetry and texts such as Valmiki’s Ramayana and Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda. But dancers in the two styles move through space with fundamentally different postures (Kathak’s upright, and Bharata Natyam’s demi-plie). And the footwork, hand gestures, eye movements and accompanying Hindustani and Carnatic music are in distinct contrast. Janaki Patrik and Maya Kulkarni perform gems from their repertoires, illuminating the shared origin and divergent paths of their styles.