The Eight Classical Dances of India
1. Bharatnatyam
Bharatnatyam is one of the oldest and most popular classical dance forms of India, originating from Tamil Nadu. The name derives from Bharata Muni and the term 'Natyam' means dance in Tamil.
Key Features:
- Origin: Temples of Tamil Nadu; performed by Devadasis (temple dancers)
- Technique: Based on 64 principles of coordinated hand, foot, face, and body movements
- Elements: Nritta (pure dance), Nritya (expressive dance), and Natya (dramatic aspect)
- Music: Carnatic music with instruments like mridangam, violin, flute, and veena
- Dance Syllables: Movements performed to 'bols' or rhythmic syllables
- Costume: Silk saree in vivid colors with temple jewelry
- Themes: Primarily devotional, depicting stories from Hindu mythology
Famous Exponents:
Rukmini Devi Arundale, Balasaraswati, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Padma Subrahmanyam, Mallika Sarabhai
2. Kathak
The word 'Kathak' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Katha' meaning story. Kathak evolved as a storytelling art form performed by traveling bards called Kathakars.
Key Features:
- Origin: North Indian temples; later flourished in Mughal courts
- Gharanas (Schools): Lucknow, Jaipur, and Banaras gharanas
- Technique: Emphasizes rhythmic footwork (tatkar), spins (chakkars), and facial expressions
- Elements: Tathar, paltas, thoras, amad, and parans
- Music: Hindustani classical music with tabla, harmonium, and sarangi
- Costume: Anarkali suit or lehenga-choli with ghungroos (ankle bells)
- Unique Feature: Incorporation of both Hindu and Mughal influences
Famous Exponents:
Birju Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Shambhu Maharaj, Gopi Krishna, Uma Sharma
3. Kathakali
Kathakali literally means 'story-play'. It is a highly stylized dance-drama form that combines music, poetry, mime, and drama in a spectacular visual presentation.
Key Features:
- Origin: 17th century Kerala
- Performance: Usually performed in open air, often lasting the whole night
- Themes: Stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Hindu mythology
- Makeup: Elaborate and colorful facial makeup representing character types (Paccha, Kathi, Kari, Thaadi)
- Costume: Huge skirts, ornate headgear, and distinctive makeup
- Music: Accompaniment of chenda, maddalam, and vocal music
- Unique Feature: Only male performers traditionally; highly expressive eye movements (Nayanabhinaya)
Famous Exponents:
Guru Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair, Kalamandalam Gopi, Mrinalini Sarabhai
4. Odissi
Odissi is considered the oldest surviving classical dance form of India, with archaeological evidence dating back to pre-Christian era. It originated in the temples of Odisha.
Key Features:
- Origin: Temples of Odisha, particularly Jagannath Temple at Puri
- Technique: Based on Tribhangi (three-body bends) and Chauka (square stance)
- Elements: Mangalacharan, Batu Nritya, Pallavi, Abhinaya, and Moksha
- Music: Odissi music with instruments like pakhawaj, harmonium, flute, and sitar
- Costume: Distinctive silver jewelry, particularly the head ornament
- Philosophy: Emphasizes deflection and movements inspired by temple sculptures
- Themes: Devotion to Lord Jagannath and Lord Krishna
Famous Exponents:
Kelucharan Mohapatra, Sanjukta Panigrahi, Sonal Mansingh, Madhavi Mudgal
5. Kuchipudi
Kuchipudi derives its name from the village Kuchelapuram (now called Kuchipudi) in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. It shares similarities with Bharatnatyam but has its own distinct characteristics.
Key Features:
- Origin: 17th century; developed by Siddhendra Yogi
- Style: Faster movements and freer style compared to Bharatnatyam
- Unique Elements: Tarangam (dancing on brass plate), Jala Chitra Nrityam (dancing with water pot)
- Performance: Can be solo or group performance
- Music: Carnatic music tradition
- Costume: Similar to Bharatnatyam with a fan-shaped arrangement at back
- Themes: Predominantly based on Bhagavata Purana
Famous Exponents:
Vempati Chinna Satyam, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Raja Reddy and Radha Reddy, Swapnasundari
6. Manipuri
Manipuri dance is a purely religious and devotional dance form used to invoke divine blessings. It is rooted in the worship of Lord Krishna and Radha.
Key Features:
- Origin: Manipur; influenced by Vaishnavism in 18th century
- Style: Graceful, lyrical movements with no sharp angles
- Famous Dance: Ras Leela depicting divine love of Radha-Krishna
- Unique Feature: Men and women dance together in harmony
- Music: Pung (drum) and cymbals; soft and lyrical
- Costume: Women wear barrel-shaped skirt (Kumil), men wear dhoti and kurta
- Movement: Coordinated movement of head, hands, and feet in complete harmony
Famous Exponents:
Guru Bipin Singh, Jhaveri Sisters, Darshana Jhaveri, Nirmala Mehta
7. Mohiniyattam
The word 'Mohini' literally means a maiden who exerts desire or steals the heart of the onlooker. Named after Mohini, the female avatar of Lord Vishnu, it is the classical solo dance form of Kerala.
Key Features:
- Origin: 16th century Kerala
- Style: Lasya (graceful, feminine) style with swaying movements
- Format: Essentially a solo dance performed by women
- Technique: Similar to Odissi and Bharatnatyam with softer movements
- Music: Carnatic music with Sopana Sangeetam style
- Costume: White or off-white Kerala saree with gold border
- Themes: Love and devotion to God, particularly Lord Vishnu
Famous Exponents:
Sunanda Nair, Jayaprabha Menon, Bharati Shivaji, Gopika Varma
8. Sattriya
Sattriya is a classical dance form introduced in the 15th century by the great Vaishnava saint Srimanta Sankaradeva as a powerful medium for propagation of the Vaishnava faith.
Key Features:
- Origin: 15th century; developed in the monasteries (Sattras) of Assam
- Founder: Srimanta Sankaradeva
- Recognition: Recognized as classical dance by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000
- Performance: Originally performed only by male monks (Bhokots)
- Music: Traditional Borgeet compositions by Sankaradeva
- Instruments: Khol (drum), cymbals, and flute
- Themes: Episodes from Krishna's life, particularly from Raas Leela
Famous Exponents:
Jatin Goswami, Indira PP Bora, Sharodi Saikia
Important Folk Dances of India
Apart from classical dances, India has a rich tradition of folk dances. Here are some important ones frequently asked in examinations:
Regional Folk Dances
North India:
- Bhangra (Punjab) - Harvest dance performed during Baisakhi festival
- Giddha (Punjab) - Female counterpart of Bhangra
- Garba & Dandiya (Gujarat) - Performed during Navratri around a central lamp or image of Goddess Shakti
- Ghoomar (Rajasthan) - Traditional dance of Rajasthani women
- Rouf (Jammu & Kashmir) - Popular dance restricted to women folk in Kashmir Valley
- Garhwali (Uttarakhand) - Includes Langvir Nritya, Barada Nati, Shotiya, and Pandva Nritya
East India:
- Bihu (Assam) - Joyous dance related to Bihu festival performed by both men and women
- Chhau (Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha) - Martial dance with masks
- Jhumur (Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha) - Harvest dance
- Sambalpuri (Odisha) - Folk dance from western Odisha
South India:
- Yakshagana (Karnataka) - Folk dance-drama with classical and literary elements
- Dollu Kunitha (Karnataka) - Drum dance of Karnataka
- Hattari (Karnataka) - Harvest dance of Kodavas of Coorg
- Kolkali (Kerala) - Stick dance of Kerala
- Theyyam (Kerala) - Ritual dance form
Central India:
- Panthi (Chhattisgarh) - Devotional dance of Satnamis
- Karma (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh) - Fertility dance
- Jawara (Madhya Pradesh) - Harvest dance
Northeast India:
- Cheraw (Mizoram) - Bamboo dance
- Nongkrem (Meghalaya) - Religious festival dance of Khasi tribe
- Nati (Himachal Pradesh) - Depicts crop cultivation activities; includes 'Losar Shona Chuksom'
Other Regions:
- Nat-Natin (Bihar) - Important dance performed by both men and women
- Lavani (Maharashtra) - Popular folk dance with powerful rhythm
- Tamasha (Maharashtra) - Folk theater form
Common Elements in Classical Dances
Nritta, Nritya, and Natya
All classical dances incorporate three fundamental elements:
- Nritta: Pure dance without any expression or meaning; focuses on rhythm, movement, and pattern
- Nritya: Expressive dance where the dancer interprets the meaning through facial expressions (abhinaya) and hand gestures (mudras)
- Natya: Dramatic element where the dancer enacts a story or play
Navarasa (Nine Emotions)
Classical dances express the nine basic human emotions (Navarasa):
- Shringara (Love/Beauty)
- Hasya (Laughter/Mirth)
- Karuna (Sorrow/Compassion)
- Raudra (Anger/Fury)
- Veera (Heroism/Courage)
- Bhayanaka (Fear/Terror)
- Bibhatsa (Disgust/Aversion)
- Adbhuta (Wonder/Amazement)
- Shanta (Peace/Tranquility)