Classical dances of India

There are many classical dances in India. These dances are usually performed to celebrate a festival or for a specific occasion. Some of the classical Indian dances are Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Sattriya, Manipuri and Mohiniyattam.

The most popular dance is Bharatanatyam which is believed to have originated from Tamil Nadu. The dance form has been around for more than 2000 years and it has its unique style of music and costumes. The dancers wear a heavy costume with a skirt that covers the legs and they wear jewelry on their head known as ‘thilak’.

Kathakali is also one of the most popular Indian classical dances which originated in Kerala. It is mainly performed by men who act out stories from Indian tales. 

Types Of Indian Dances

Indian dance is an integral part of Indian culture. There are many different types of Indian dances, each with its cultural significance and regional styles.

Bharatanatyam:

Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form from the southern state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the most popular Indian dances in India and abroad. The word Bharatanatyam means “dance of India”.

Kathak:

Kathak is a classical dance form from northern India that originated in the 16th century AD and developed over the years to become one of the eight major forms of Indian Classical Dance. It was traditionally performed by male dancers who were dressed as women, but today it can be performed by both men and women.

Kuchipudi:

Kuchipudi is a classical Indian dance form that originated in the 16th century. It is a graceful and expressive form of dance that is performed to the accompaniment of music.

Kuchipudi is traditionally performed by both men and women, and it incorporates aspects of other Indian classical dances. Kuchipudi consists of two components: Nritta (pure dance) and Nritya (dance with emotional expression)

The word Kuchipudi comes from two Telugu words: “kuchu” meaning “something which makes an impression on one’s mind or senses”, and “padu” meaning “to walk”.

Manipuri :

Manipuri dance originated in Manipur, a state in northeast India. Originally, Manipuri dance was performed by three male dancers and was very energetic; however, it has evolved into a more stylized form of dance that is typically performed by two female dancers. Nowadays, Manipuri dance is usually used as a training vehicle for classical Indian dance instead of as a performance art.

Sattriya:

Sattriya is believed to have originated in 3rd or 4th century BC. The word Sattriya derives from Sanskrit word Satya meaning truth, and Traya meaning complete. It is also known as Sankirtana, though it has no connection with Hinduism and its origin can be traced back only to 15th century AD. This dance form flourished during 17th century AD when Guru Udayadityavijay was instrumental in popularizing it among masses. Since then, under royal patronage of kings like Rajeswar Singha (1661-1714), Swargadeo Rudra Singha (1714-1744) and Swargadeo Parikshit Singh (1811-1832), a number of temples were built for performance of Sattriya dance form.

Odissi:

Odissi is one of six classical dance forms in India. Scholars suggest that Odissi originated from southern parts of ancient India around present day Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Orissa. Some historians link it to a dance performed by Lord Krishna’s lover Radha.

Kathak

The word Kathak means “storyteller” or “one who tells a story.”

Kathak is a classical dance form from the Indian subcontinent. It originated in the 16th century in India and has been traditionally practiced by women. Kathak is a solo dance that traces its roots to classical Indian dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, but it is also influenced by other Indian folk dances.

Kathak is typically performed with bare feet and an open cloth wrapping around the lower part of the dancer’s body called a ghagra. The upper part of the body including hands and head are usually unclothed or covered with a veil called a choli.

Kathak Association with Bhakti Movement  

The Kathak Association was founded in 1922, and its founding members were Pandit Shyam Sundar, Pandit Ram Gopal, and Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan. The association was established to promote the art form of Kathak and to propagate the teachings of the Bhakti Movement.

The dance form of Kathak is a form of worship. It is a form of expression and dedication to the creator. The dance is also a way to express one’s emotions and connect with their inner self. Kathak is an ancient Indian classical dance from the state of Uttar Pradesh in Northern India. It originated in the temples as a sacred art but has evolved into one of India’s most popular dances today.

Costumes In Kathak

The costumes of Kathak dance are very distinctive and different from the costumes of other Indian classical dances. The dancers wear a long, loose-fitting skirt called a choli. They also wear heavy, ornamental jewelry and have their hair elaborately styled in a knot or bun at the top of their head.

The choli is usually made from a piece of light fabric such as silk or cotton, but it can also be made from heavier fabrics such as brocade, velvet, and satin. The choli is cut to be loose fitting so that it does not restrict the dancer’s movements.

Instruments & Music In Kathak

Kathak is one of the eight classical dance forms of India. It originated in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. In kathak, the dancer’s feet tell a story in an intricate sequence of steps and turns. The dancer’s hands express ideas and evoke moods with synchronized gestures. The dancer’s eyes are fixed on a particular spot on the floor, but they also observe their hand movements and those of their partner.

The Kathak dance form is believed to have been developed from ancient Hindu temple dances which were performed in honor of Lord Shiva, the God who was believed to be responsible for creation or destruction, depending on his mood at that time.

Conclusion

India is a country that has a rich history in classical dance. The Indian subcontinent has been home to some of the most classical arts, such as classical music and dance. Classical dances in India are usually performed with great formality and discipline and are considered one of the most important aspects of Indian culture.

The term “classical” refers to a long-established dance tradition that has been passed down through generations. Classical dances in India have their roots in ancient folk traditions, but they have also been influenced by other cultures such as Persian, Turkish and European.