Dance is a cultural tradition. Ancient dance is a spiritual and religious tradition of India. Dance is an art form to express human feelings of joy and happiness.
Dance is the only way to communicate using the body, eyes, and expressions. Mainly Indian dances are classified into two types: classical and folk (tribal) dances.
Classical Dance:
Classical dances in India are generally spiritual in content. Indian classical dances are eight recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Classical dances are famous in the world.
1. Bharatha Natyam Dance:
2. Kuchipudi Dance:
3. Mohinitan Dance:
4. Kathakali Dance:
5. Odissi Dance:
6. Kathak Dance:
7. Sattriya Dance:
8. Manipuri Dance:
List of World Important Days
1. Bharatha Natyam Dance:
Bharatanatyam originates from the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. Bharatha Natyam is considered to be the oldest dance form. It is the mother of all other classical dances in India. Bharatanatyam originated from the art of temple dancers in South India. It dates back to 1000bc.
Bharatanatyam originated from ancient temples in Tamil Nadu where women performed. It is a temple dance for women. Bharatanatyam belongs to the Natya Shastra written by the ancient priest Bharata.
The dance form is known as beautiful body movements and gestures called mudras in traditional language. It focuses on the hand gestures, leg movements and facial expressions of the dancer. It is used to express Hindu religious stories and devotion.
- Dance Name : Bharatanatyam
- Region : South India
- State : Tamil Nadu
2. Kuchipudi Dance:
Kuchipudi is a classical dance form that originated in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It takes its name from the village of Kuchipudi near the Bay of Bengal. Kuchipudi is the most popular traditional dance in South India, performed with the instruments violin, flute and tambura.
Kuchipudi is a complex form of classical dance in India. Kuchipudi requires skill in both dancing and singing and requires much more dedication than other art forms in India. Kuchipudi was previously performed by male dancers only in temples. It is now performed mostly by female dancers.
- Dance name: Kuchipudi
- Region: South India
- State: Andhra Pradesh
3. Mohinittan Dance:
Mohinittan is a classical dance form from the state of Kerala, South India. It is a popular dance form with a drama, which is performed with subtle gestures and footwork.
It is the 2nd most popular dance form. This traditional Indian dance form comes from Natya Shastra. It is a traditional dance performed by women.
- Dance Name: Mohiniyattam
- Region: Southwest India
- State: Kerala
4. Kathakali Dance:
Kathakali originates from the state of Kerala in southwestern India. Kathakali is a religious dance. It is inspired by stories from the Ramayana and from Shaivite traditions. It is also performed by boys and men for female roles.
Kathakali is a highly engaging Indian classical dance-drama performed by highly trained artists. The elaborate costumes of the characters along with attractive make-up, detailed gestures and body movements accompanied by playback music are the best experience to watch. Kathakali is also related to the story.
- Dance Name: Kathakali
- Region: Southwest India
- State: Kerala
5. Odissi Dance:
Odissi originates from the state of Orissa in eastern India. Odissi is the oldest dance form in India. Odissi is performed mostly by female dancers. Odissi is a very complex and expressive dance form, with over fifty mudras commonly used. Odissi dance gestures and movements, or mudras, are inspired by ancient temples in India.
The dance form is known for its style, independent movements of the head, chest, and pelvis. The beautiful Odissi dance is a traditional and ancient style performed in temples.
- Dance name: Kathakali
- Region: Odissi
- State: Odisha
6. Kathak Dance:
A dance of Uttar Pradesh, North India. The name Kathak comes from the word Katha, which means story in Hindi. Kathak is often a love dance. It can be performed by both male and female dancers.
Kathak started as a temple dance, but soon became popular with the ruling houses. Kathak is performed in a narrative form through the body movements used by the dancer.
- Dance name: Kathak
- Region: North India
- State: Uttar Pradesh
7. Sattriya Dance:
The Satriya dance of Assam is a living tradition of the state. It is one of the eight major classical Indian dance traditions. The Satriya classical dance form is well appreciated and practiced outside the state and outside the Indian mainland.
This dance form is preserved in the satras or Vaishnava monasteries. It remains a living tradition. However, today the practice has changed in many ways. Performances are not limited to satras, women can also perform Satriya on stage.
- Dance name: Satriya
- Region: North-East India
- State: Assam
8. Manipuri Dance:
Manipuri comes from Manipur in northeastern India. Manipuri dance is one of the major classical dances of India. The dance has its roots in the folk traditions and rituals of the state and often depicts scenes from the life of Krishna. The dance is accompanied by music created by Indian classical instruments.
Manipuri themes are based on the Raslila act of Radha and Krishna and are purely religious in nature along with a spiritual experience. It is popularly known as Raslila. Manipuri features smooth and graceful movements. This art form is performed as a group in traditional Manipuri attire.
- Dance name: Manipuri
- Region: North-East India
- State: Manipur
Important classical dances in India
Table of Contents
| S.No | Dance Name | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Bharatha natyam | Tamil nadu |
| 2. | Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh |
| 3. | Mohinittan | Kerala |
| 4. | Kathakali | Kerala |
| 5. | Odissi | Odisha |
| 6. | Kathak | Rajasthan,UP |
| 7. | Sattriya | Assam |
| 8. | Manipuri | Manipur |
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