India is second largest country with its population and the
seventh largest by its size and we can find a lot of difference in the culture,
language and food with some kilometers in India. It is one of the huge country
with huge diversity. This diversity shows lots of colors here in the culture,
dresses and yes in the dance forms of the various states of India. Dance in
India comprises numerous styles of dances, generally classified as classical
and folk. The lots of dance forms originated in different parts of India and
developed according to the traditions and the culture from the many areas of
the country.
Folk dances are numerous in number and style and vary
according to the local tradition of the respective state, ethnic or geographic
regions. Contemporary dances include refined and experimental fusions of
classical, folk and Western forms.
The classical dance forms are the different by their dance
style we can explain it - Classical dance in India has developed a type of
dance-drama that is a form of a total theater. The dancer acts out a story
almost exclusively through gestures. Most of the classical dances of India
enact stories from Hindu mythology. Each form represents the culture and ethos
of a particular region or a group of people.
The origin of dance in India is not a new thing but it is
continuing as the tradition from the ancient times. The description of many
dance forms in India finds in many ancient books which shows the presence of
dance in the ancient Indian time too. These are some Indian classical dance
forms:
1 . Bharatnatyam
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| Bharatnatyam Dance performance source:craftindia.com |
This dance form is belong to Indian state Tamilnadu and the
neighboring regions. This is one of the oldest dance form as it is performing
since 1000 BC. Traditionally, Bharatanatyam has been a solo dance that was
performed exclusively by women and expressed Hindu religious themes and
spiritual ideas, particularly of Shaivism, but also
of Vaishnavism and Shaktism. It has grown to become the most
popular classical Indian dance style in India and abroad.
2 . Katthak
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| Katthak Dance performance source:pintrest |
The term Kathak is originated by the Sanskrit language where
its means ‘He who tells story’ and it is made by the word katha which meaning
‘story’ in Sanskrit and Hindi. Kathak is traditionally attributed to the
traveling bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathakars or
storytellers.
3 . Kathakali
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| Kathakali Dance performance source:kathakalicentre.com |
This dance form is the identity of the Indian state Kerala
and it is originated in 17th century. This classical dance form is another
"story play" genre of art, but one distinguished by its elaborately
colorful make-up, costumes and face masks wearing actor-dancers, who have
traditionally been all males. A Kathakali performance incorporates movements
from the ancient martial arts and athletic traditions of south India. Kathakali
primarily developed as a Hindu performance art, performing plays and mythical
legends related to Hinduism.
4 . Kuchhipudi
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| Kuchipudi Dance Performance source:kostalife.com |
This is the dance form from the Indian state Andhrapradesh.
This is also a story telling art and performing since 17th century. Kuchipudi
largely developed as a Hindu
god Krishna-oriented Vaishnavism tradition. The Kuchipudi
performance includes pure dance (nritta) and expressive part of the
performance (nritya), where rhythmic gestures as a sign language mime
the play.
5 . Odisi
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| Odissy Dance performance source:mycitylinks.in |
The name of the dance form telling about its origin, yes
this is comes from the Indian state Odisa. In the history this dance form has
been performing by women and expressed religious stories and spiritual ideas of
Hindu gods. Odissi is traditionally a dance-drama genre of performance art,
where the artist(s) and musicians play out a mythical story, a spiritual
message or devotional poem from the Hindu texts, using symbolic costumes,
6 . Sattriya
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| Sattriya Dance Performance source:narthaki.com |
This dance form comes from Indian state Assam and originated
in 15th century. This is also a classical dance drama which tells story. The
plays are usually performed in the dance community halls (namghar) of monastery
temples (sattras). The themes played relate to Krishna and Radha,
sometimes other Vishnu avatars such as Rama and Sita.
7 . Manipuri
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| Manipuri Dance Performance source:3.bp.blogspot.com |
Manipuri is the main dance form of the Indian state Manipur
as the name showing. Manipur is the north eastern state of India and it is the
border state of India with Myanmar. Manipuri also known as Jagoi. It is also
performs with the theme of Hinduism and performrnces of love-inspired dance
drama of Radha-Krishna, called Raslila.
8 . Mohiniattam
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| Mohaniattam Dance performance source:narthaki.com |
This dance art belongs to the Indian state Kerala and one of
the most famous dance form in India. This dance form got its name from Mohini-
the seductress avatar of lord Vishnu who in Hindu mythology uses her charms to
help the good prevail in a battle between good and evil. It is traditionally a
solo dance performed by women after extensive training.
9 . Chhau
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| Chhau Dance Performance source:chhaudance.co |
This dance form is very popular with the eastern states of
India. This is also pronounced as Chau or Cchau. The origin of this classical dance
form in the eastern states of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odissa. It is found in
three styles named after the location where they are performed, i.e. the
Purulia Chau of Bengal, the Seraikella Chau of Bihar now Jharkhand,
and the Mayurbhanj Chau of Odisha.
10. Gaudiya Nritya
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| Gudiya Nritya Dance Performance source:gudiyanritya.org |
This is a traditional dance form, belong to Bengal region.
Gudiya Nritya is the famous and most popular in the West Bengal. It originates
from Gauda, also known as Gaur, in Bengal, Gudiya is also a Indian name fore doll.
11. Thang Ta
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| Thang-Ta Dance Performance source:e-paolive.net |
Thang Ta is the Manipuri dance form, and Manipur is the
north eastern state of India. "Thang" and "Ta" are main
weapons of this art so people commonly known the art as Thang-Ta. Its traditional
name is Huyel Langlon. Huyel Langlon means (Huyel means War and Langlon means
Knowledge of Art) knowledge of War Art.
