8 Classical Dances of India

Topic Covers : India's Art and Culture, Indian Heritage...

Dance in India has a rich and vital tradition from ancient time. It is not easy to trace the precise history and evolution of the various dances known as 'Classical' forms popular today. Various folk dances all over India, which is in the form of simple, joyous celebrations of the seasons, harvest, birth of a child, and weddings. These dances are mostly rooted from Classical Dance forms of India.

What are the three basic components of dance ?

The main three components are -

1. Natya : It represents dramatic form of dance e.g. Kathakali (Today's  Rarely use this form of dance).

2. Nritya : It is essentially expressional, performed especially to convey the meaning of a theme or ideas.

3. Nritta : It is pure dance where body movements do not express any mood (Bhava), not do they convey any meaning.

Note : To perform Natya and Nritya, a dancer should be know about Navarasas.

Navarasas are - 

love (Shringasra), 

mirth (haasya), 

compassion (Karuna), 

valour (Veera), 

anger (roudra), 

fear (bhayanak), 

disgust (bibhatsa), 

wonder (adbhuta) and 

peace (Shanta).

What are the basic styles of Classical dance ?

According to Natyashastra, there are two basic styles of Indian classical dance -

1. Lasya : It denotes soft, lyrical and graceful in feminine features of dance as an art form.

2. Tandava : It is masculine - heroic bold and vigorous.

8 Classical Dances of India :

Presently, under Sangeet Natak Academy, there are 8 Classical Dance forms in India. They are -

Sr. No.	Classical Dances of India	Region (Origin)
1.	Bharatnatyam	Tamil Nadu
2.	Kuchipudi	Andhra Pradesh
3.	Kathakali	Kerala
4.	Mohiniattam	Kerala
5.	Odissi	Odisha
6.	Kathak	Uttar Pradesh
7.	Sattriya	Assam
8.	Manipuri	Manipur

1. Bharatnatyam :

Its name derived from Bharat Muni and 'natyam' which means dance in Tamil.

Origin : Bharatnatyam of Tamil Nadu in Southern India.

Features : 

• Initially it was performed in temples by female solo dancer and earlier was known as Sadir or Dasiattam.

• Today, it is also performed by male dancer at home and abroad.

• It is based on a wide range spanning human and divine love.

Theme : Romantic love and Bhakti (devotion)

Music : Carnatic Music

Instruments : At least one vocalist, a Mridangam (drum) player, a flutist or violinist or Veena (lute) player.

2. Kuchipudi :

Its name derived from the village Kuchelapuram in Andhra Pradesh. The village was nurtured by great scholars and artists who developed dance technique.

Origin : Originated in Andhra Pradesh during the beginning of Bhakti movement in the 7th Century AD.

Features : 

• Originally performed by group of person from village to village but today it's performed either as a Solo, Duet or a group presentation.

• Dynamic movement of body and expression of feeling.

Theme : Stories of Bhagavat Purana (it has Secular theme)

Music : Carnatic Music

Instrument : Violin and Mridangam, etc.

3. Kathakali :

Kathakali means 'Story Play' in Kerala. 

Origin : It Originated in Kerala in Southern India in the 17th Century AD.

Features : 

• It is performed by male troupe in open air theatres. 

• Kathakali represent story of the eternal conflict between good and evil.

Theme : Story of Ramayana and Mahabharata (Conflict between Good and Evil).

Music : Carnatic music

Instruments : Mridangam (Drumming)

4. Mohiniattam :

Mohiniattam or the Dance of an Enchantress (Mohini means beautiful woman and attam means dance) is especially a solo dance performed by beautiful woman in Kerala's temples.

Origin : Originated in Kerala in Southern India

Features : 

• It is performed by Female Solo Dancer.

• Mohiniattam uses rhythms in dance.

• The dancer's body rises and falls with an easy grace.

Theme : Story of the feminine dance of Vishnu

Music : Carnatic music

Instruments : Mridangam, Veena, flute, etc.

5.  Odissi :

It's name derived from the 'Odra nritya' mentioned in Natyashastra. 

Origin : Originated in Odisha in Eastern India.

Features : 

• It was performed as part of temple service by 'maharis' or female temple servants. 

• Today it's spread across the country and performed by male and female both.

• The movements are soft and graceful.

Theme : The Vaishnava faith of Odisha is intrinsic in Odissi dance and the lore of Krishna and and Radha supplies its content.

Music : Hindustani Classical Music

Instruments : Manjira (Cymbals), Pakhwaj (Drums), Sitar, Flute, etc.

6. Manipuri :

Its very popular temple dance of Manipur.

Origin : Manipuri dance, evolved in Manipur in North-Eastern India

Features : 

• Generally Performed by female dancer.

• The artist never established eye contact with the audience.

• The movements are circular and continuous, each merging into the other.

• The legs are bent and knees held close together.

Theme : Central Theme - devotion to Radha-Krishna (Vaishnava).

Instruments : Drum, flute, dhols, etc.

7. Kathak : 

Kathak derived its name from the 'Kathika' or the 'Story tellers' in North India.

Origin : Its origin of Ras Leela of Brajbhoomi in Uttar Pradesh in Northern India.

Features :

• It is performed by female dancer.

• Kathak is dance of rhythm play.

• Its developed in different Gharanas - Lucknow, Jaipur, Raigarh and Banaras Gharanas.

Theme : Love and devotion to Lord Krishna

Music : Hindustani Classical Music

Instruments : Tabla, Pakhwaj, Sarangi, etc.

8. Sattriya :

Its name derived from the Vaishnava monasteries known as 'Sattras'. It is mentioned in Natyashastra of Bharat Muni.

Origin : Sattriya dance in modern-form was introduced by the Vaishnava Saint Sankara Deva in the 15th Century AD in Assam in Northeastern India.

Features :

• Generally performed in group by male monks known as Bhokots.

• Its amalgamation of various dance forms of Assam.

• It follow the rule of hand gestures and footwork, movements and expression.

Theme : Devotion to Krishna

Instruments : Khol (Drum), Manjira, flute, etc.

Note : Presently, Sangeet Natak Academy has recognised 8 Classical Dance forms whereas the Ministry of Culture has recognised 9 Classical Dance forms including Chhau.

*Chhau : 

Chau dance of Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal in Eastern India.

Features :

• it is blend of martial traditions, temple rituals and folk.

• It is based on Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, traditional folklore, etc.

• Its celebrate during harvesting season (Chaitra month or advent of spring).

Music : Hindustani Classical Music

Instruments : Shop, Nagada, Jhanj, Chadchadi, etc.

Also Read : Classical Languages of India

References

CCRT

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