Eight Classical Dance Forms Of India

Indian dances date back thousands of years. Dancing figures can be seen in the cave drawings of Madhya Pradesh’s Bhimbetka rock shelters. Dancing figures can also be seen in sculptures from the Indus Valley Civilization. The scripture Natya Shastra, penned by the sage Bharata, contains information about the origins of dance in India. This work was written in the second century AD. Lord Brahma is credited with creating dance in this literature, and he derives his wisdom from the Vedas. Shastriya Devesh, or Indian classical dance, is a catch-all word for various performance disciplines grounded in Hindu performing arts genres. Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Odissi, Sattriya, Kathakali, Manipuri, and Mohiniyattam are the eight styles recognised by the Sangeet Natak Academy as classical dance.

Here are the Classical Dance Forms of India:

Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam, formerly named the Sadhir Attam, is a famous Indian classical dance form that originated in Tamil Nadu. It is first from the eight classical dance forms of India  One of the oldest Indian classical dance forms is Bharatanatyam. Since ancient times, this one has been grown in temples and courts throughout South India. It expresses South Indian religious and spiritual views, particularly Shaivism, Vaishnavism, especially Shaktism.

Kathak

Kathak is formed from the Vedic languages Katha; meaning indicates “story,” plus Kathakar, which means “one who tells a story” or “somebody who enjoys stories.” Kathak’s origins are usually connected to Kathakal, or storytellers, who travelled to medieval North India. It ranks second among India’s classical dance forms.

The structure of Bhakti, a class in medieval Hinduism, arose amongst the mystical participation patterns.

Kathakali

One of the most gorgeous, dramatic, and complex styles of classical Indian dance is this one. It is the third of the 8 classical dance forms of India. The dancer must wear sophisticated make-up, hefty clothes, and, most importantly, practice their gestures. During the 17th century, Kathakali was born in the south Indian state of Kerala, popularly known as God’s Own Country.

Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi, which developed in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, is considered one of the most challenging styles of Indian classical dance. It is the fourth of the 8 classical dance forms of India. The type is the most difficult because it needs numerous rituals, ranging from lighting sticks to sprinkling holy dip while pleading to the Lord.

Odissi

Odissi is an Indian dance genre that originated in the province of Odisha in eastern India. The ancient dance has its origins in Odisha’s Hindu temples. It is the fifth in the 8 classical dance forms of India. The majority of the gestures but also movements (Mudras) are influenced by sculptors and idols from India’s ancient temples.

Chhau

The Chhau dance, spelt Chao or Chau, is a pivotal Indian choreography of a martial, tribe, and traditional culture that originated in eastern India. It is the sixth of the 8 classical dance forms of India. The Bengali Purulia Chau, this same Jharkhand Seraikela, and the Odisha Mayurbhanj Chhau are three styles of dance.

Sattriya

Assam is home to this well-known dance form. Sattriya comes in various forms, including Mati Objectives of this type, Jhumura, Krishnan Nritya,  and others.

Manipuri

Manipuri is a devotional dance genre that mixes singing and dancing to seek inspiration from Lord Krishna. This dance genre, which originated in the state of Manipur, is based on the ‘Raasleela’ myth, in which Radha and Lord Krishna dance together. The theme of ‘Shaivism’ was added to Manipuri, which gave it even more depth. Manipuri is a Hindu dance that depicts the spiritual ideals of Hinduism via dance and is usually performed for religious festivals and events such as weddings.

Conclusion

Indian classical dancers strive to become one with the eternal dance of the cosmos, which is supported by a profound philosophy. There are eight basic types of Indian classical dance, all of which are based on the same philosophy. Since ancient times, dancing (traditional folk dance) has become a cultural and customary form of pleasure in India. Indian classical dance genres were once used as a form of worship in temples. It moves from weddings to the theatre to gatherings. Natya Shastra, a historical text library for performing arts, strongly influenced classical dance styles.

There are many unique and exciting dance forms in Indian classical dance, each with its message, function, and symbolism. There are eight major classical dance genres in India.