This can be said because the sounds produced by tapping the cymbals at various angles represent the different sounds of the dancer's feet when they make contact with the ground. Traditionally, nattuvanars were the gurus of Bharatanatyam. Because they were as well versed in the art of dance as music, and often were the choreographers of the dance too, they were in the best position to provide nattuvangam for a dancer. In this traditional approach, the nattuvanar was considered the conductor of the entire programme and is still referred to as such. Jayadeva, in one of his famous ashtapadis, gave his mudra name as "Padmavati Charana Chaarana Chakravarti," referring to himself as the one who was as a king to Padmavati's dancing feet. Today, however, nattuvanars often work with dancers in the same manner as other accompanists. Since they are not familiar with the compositions from inception, they follow the footwork of the dancer, rather than guide it.