INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE FORMS

Dance in India has a rich and ethnic tradition dating back to ancient times. It has
evolved into many forms with many styles whose theory is defined mostly by
an ancient script called Natya Shastra written by Bharata Muni (400 BC). Apart
from this excavations, chronicles, genealogies of kings and artists, literacy
sources, sculptures in temples and painting from different periods provided
extensive knowledge about the evolution of classical dance in India. Dance was
usually an activity dedicated to worship, entertainment or leisure. Dancers
usually performed in temples, on festive occasions and seasonal harvests. Dance
was performed on a regular basis before deities as a form of worship.

Nurtured for centuries, dance in India has evolved in different parts of country
in different styles. Its style depending on the culture of that particular region,
each acquiring its own flavors according to the local traditions. The major forms
of dance that have come to practise are Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali,
Kathak, Manipuri, Odissi, Mohiniyattam and Sattriya. Apart from the traditional
dance forms there are regional variations in the dances in rural and tribal areas.
These dances range from simple celebrations of the season, harvest of birth of
child.

Introduction of Classical Dances:

There are 8 Indian Traditional Classical Dance forms list below, that are
recognized by Sangeet Natak Academy. Ministry of culture also recognizes
Ghoomer, Chhau and Thang Ta also as traditional dance forms.

1. Bharatnatyam: This form of classical dance tht originated in Tamilnadu.

This form is purely derived from Natya Shastra written by Bharata Muni and is
in existence from ancient time. In ancient times this was performed in temples
as a form of worship to presiding deity by Devadasis. In medieval times, kings
invited temple dancers (devadasis) to dance in their courts, the occurrence of
which created a new category of dancers called Rajanarthakis, and modified the
technique and themes of the recitals. A devadasi had to satisfy her own soul
while she danced unwatched and offered herself (surrendered) to the Lord, but
the rajanarthaki's dance was meant to be an entertainment and has to please the
king. Today, it is one of the most popular and widely performed dance styles
and is practiced by male and female dancers all over the world, although it is
more commonly danced by women. Bharatanatya belongs to Lasya type of
dance.
2. Kuchipudi derives its name from a village in Krishna district of Andhra
Pradesh. The Kuchipudi style was conceived by a saint Siddhendra Yogi, a very
talented Vaishnava poet of 17th century. This form of dance was mostly
performed by bhagavatars . It was a male oriented tradition belonging to
Bhagavata mela troup which was later taught to females too. This form of dance
is a complete art system, because in this form the Navarasas and all four kinds of
Abhinaya are being interpreted. This is achieved with Lokadharmi and
Natyadharmi. It begins with an invocation to Lord Ganesha followed by nritta
(non-narrative and abstract dancing); shabdam (narrative dancing) and natya. The
dance is accompanied by song which is typically Carnatic music.. Like other
classical dances, Kuchipudi also comprises pure dance, mime and histrionics but
it is the use of speech that distinguishes Kuchipudi’s presentation as dance drama.
Kuchipudi dance repertoire consists of pushpanjali, kowthwam, jastiwaram,
sabdam, keertanas, astapadis, adhyatimikaramayana, tarangam, slokam, javalis,
darurus etc.

3. Kathak: The word Kathak has been derived from the word “katha”
which means a story. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of
ancient northern India, known as Kathakars or storytellers. However this now
contains traces of temple and ritual dances, and Ras leela with the influence of
the bhakti movement.

Under the influence of Persian and Muslim traditions Kathak dance assumed the
form of courtly entertainment. During the nineteenth century Kathak enjoyed a
revival and gained prominence among the kings and zamindars not only as a form
of entertainment but also as a classical art form. Slowly and gradually Gharanas
or schools of Kathak emerged.

There are 3 types in kathak dance style.

1. Jaipur Gharana
2. Lucknow Gharana
3. Banaras Gharana.

4. Kathakali: This form of dance is from state of Kerala which is home for
several dances and dance forms. The word Kathakali literally means "Story-
Play. Kathakali was performed at religious festivals by actors wearing elaborate
masks, colorful costumes and headdresses, and intricately painted faces. The
themes of the Kathakali are religious in nature. They typically deal with
Mahabarat, Ramayana and Puranas. Kathakali is usually performed only by
men. Female characters are portrayed by men dressed in women's
costume. However, in recent years, women also have started to learning and
performing Kathakali. The dancer expresses himself through hand gesturs called
as hasta mudras and facial expressions. The 4 aspects of Abhinaya, Nrtha, Nrtya
and Natya are combined perfectly in this stylized form of dance.

5. Odissi: Odissi is an art form that came from a state on eastern seacoast
Orissa. It is the oldest surviving dance form of India on the basis of
archaeological evidences. It is particularly distinguished from other classical
Indian dance forms by the importance it places upon the Tribhangi (literally:
three parts break), the independent movement of head, chest and pelvis . One of
the many forms of Indian classical dance sensuous and lyrical, odissi is a dance
of love and passion touching on the divine and the human, the sublime and the
mundane. The dance movements frozen in stones of sun temple at Konark,
continues to inspire odissi dancers even today. Odissi is a highly stylised dance
and to some extent is based on classical natya shastra and abhinaya darpanam.

6. Manipuri: Manipuri, dances are originated in picturesque, and secluded state

of Manipur in the North Eastern corner of India. Its origin can be traced back to
ancient times as 2 nd century however the resembles of current style might have
been introduced after Krishna bhakti movement in 15 th century. The dance
Manipur is associated with ritual and traditional festivals. The most popular forms
are the ras, smakeerthana and thangta.
Manipuri classical form of dance is claimed not only to be one of the most
chastest, modest, softest and mildest but the most meaningful dances of the world.
The traditional Manipuri dance style embodies delicate, lyrical and graceful
movements. The aim is to make rounded movements and avoid any jerks, sharp
edges or straight lines. It is this which gives Manipuri dance its undulating and
soft appearance. Manipuri dancers do not wear ankle bells to accentuate the beats
tapped out by the feet, in contrast with other Indian danceforms, and the dancers'
feet never strike the ground hard. Movements of the body and feet and facial
expressions in Manipuri dance are subtle and aim at devotion and grace.

7. Mohiniyattam: This is a semi-classical dance form of Kerala that is

perfomed by women. The word Mohini meaning a woman who enchants
onlookers and "aattam" meaning graceful and sensuous body movements. The
word "Mohiniyattam" literally means "dance of the enchantress". It is closely
related to Bharata Natyam of Tamil Nadu and was originally called
‘Dasiyattam’, performed by Devadasies. In the main items cholkettu,
padavarnam and padam. Slow, graceful, swaying movements of the body and
limbs and highly emotive eye and hand gestures(mudras) are unique to this
dance form.

8. Sattriya : Recognized in 2000 as a classical dance by Sangeet Natak Akademi,

the Sattriya is the most recent entrant in classical dance list. Sattriya is a form
of Assamese one-act plays, which are usually performed in
the sattras(monasteries) associated with the Ekasarana dharma. As the tradition
developed and grew within the sattras, the dance form came to be known
as Sattriya Nritya. Sattriya was performed only by bhokots (male monks) in
monasteries as a part of their daily rituals or to mark special festivals. Today it is
performed on stage by men and women who are not members of the sattras, on
themes not merely mythological.