Nartanasala

Nartanasala
Directed by	Kamalakara Kameswara Rao
Produced by	Lakshmi Rajyam Sridhar Rao
Written by	Samudrala Raghavacharya (dialogues & lyrics) Sri Sri (lyrics)
Screenplay by	Kamalakara Kameswara Rao
Story by	Kamalakara Kameswara Rao
Starring	S. V. Ranga Rao N. T. Rama Rao Savitri Mikkilineni Relangi
Music by	Susarla Dakshinamurthi
Cinematography	M. A. Rehman
Edited by	S. P. S. Veerappa
Production company	Vauhini Studios Bharani A. L. S. Studios
Distributed by	Rajyam Pictures
Release date	11 October 1963
Running time	175 min.
Language	Telugu

Nartanasala (English: The Dance Hall), was a 1963 Telugu epic dance film based on the Virata Parva of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The film was written and directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao, starring S. V. Ranga Rao, N. T. Rama Rao, and Savitri in pivotal roles of the ensemble cast. The film was produced by Rajyam Pictures in Black and White. Upon release the film received positive reviews, and has won awards for Best Production Design and Best Lead Actor at the Third Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Jakarta. The film was screened at the Tashkent Film Festival, Moscow Film Festival, and the International Film Festival of India.

The film is cited among CNN-IBN's list of the hundred greatest Indian films of all time. The film has also garnered the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film in 1963 at the 11th National Film Awards, and the Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Film.

Narthanasala is based on the Virata Parva of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The film explores the endeavors and tribulations of Pandava's during the 13th year of their exile of the Virata Parva dance episodes. When Indra invites Arjuna to his abode and honors him, on this occastion Indra's consort Urvashi falls in lust with Arjuna during his stay. However, Arjuna refuses her advances, alleging that he had heard of her relationship with his ancestor Pururava, and hence she had the status of a mother, equal in respect to Kunti. Urvashi, annoyed at this, curses him that he would become a eunuch who would have to live among women, dancing and singing. However, upon Indra's request, and regretting her anger, Urvashi subdues her curse to a period of one year of Arjuna's choice considering his generosity as a human being.