Indian Dance

Indian Dance, it is an expression of joy, an act of devotion and a form of art. Dances reflect the moods and feelings of the common man in India and an inseparable component of the cultural fabric of India. It is an extremely intricate art that requires skill, hard work and discipline. You can feel the rhythm or tal, springing spontaneously from the dancers' steps; expression or bhava, flowing from those communicative eyes providing rasa or ecstasy and ananda or happiness. At its core, it has mythological or cultural references and it also echoes the regional or ritualistic significance.

Indian Dance Types

There are two broad streams of dance - Classical dances which are more traditional in their content and Folk dances that are a more informal, joyous expressions that are representative of a geographical region.

Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam has its roots in the Natya Shastra, one of the fundamental treatises on Indian drama and aesthetics. It is a traditional dance form that includes the Bha- Bhava or Expression, Ra - Raga or Music and Ta - Tala or Rhythm. Bharatanatyam is one of the most popular classical dance forms, performed by dancers from both genders and known for its grace, purity and sculpturesque poses. More on Bharatanatyam. .

Kathak

The word Kathak originated from the people who used to dance and enact out kathas or stories - hence they were the storytellers. Kathakali dancers narrated the stories of the lives of the deities, and were attached to the temples. During the Mughal rules, More on Kathakali. .

Kathakali

Kathakali is one of the most magnificent and opulent classical dance forms from the state of Kerala in southern India. Kathakali is basically a dance drama which combines the following five elements - Natyam (facial expressions), Nritham (dance, with emphasis on rhythm and movement of hands, legs and body), Nrithyam(enactment, or hand gestures), Geetha (vocal music) and Vadyam(instrument). More on Kathakali. .

Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi is a classical form of dance from Andhra Pradesh in southern India and is named after the village Kuchipudi, in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. The music is provided by ragas of south India, the Carnatic music. It is accompanied by some of these musical instruments: Mridangam, Manjira, Veena, Violin, Kanjira, Tanpura and Venu. More on Kuchipudi. .

Manipuri

Manipuri is the classical dance form from north-eastern India. It is a very graceful dance and is believed to have evolved from the epics of the Puranas. This dance is inspired by the theme of love and devotion - the Rasa Lila dances of Shiva and Parvati, Radha and Krisha, and the local deities Khamba and More on Manipuri. .

Mohiniattam

Mohiniattam, literally means the "dance of the enchantress" and is a treat to the eyes. The dance involves subtle gestures, gentle movements, swaying of broad hips, eyes that move in a very coy yet sensual manner. The hand gestures and expressions play a secondary role to the footwork and the movement of the body. More on Mohiniattam. .

Odissi

This classical dance style makes the sculpture of the Sun temple at Konark come alive. Odissi is the most lyrical classical dance of India. There are three schools of Odissi tradition: Mahari, Nartaki andGotipua. Mahari was traditionally performed in the temples by young girls called maharis. More on Odissi. .

Folk Dances

Folk dances that are a more informal, joyous expressions that are representative of a geographical region. Folk dances are performed as a spontaneous celebration, at the birth of a child, weddings and festivals and the arrival of a season. The costumes are colorful and some with elaborate jewelry. Bhangra, Garba, Rasa Lila, Goomar, Dandiya, Yakshagana, Karagam are some of the popular folk dances. More on Folk Dances. .