In this article, you will learn about the classical dances of India. This topic is very important for the exams conducted by UPSC, JKPSC and JKSSB.
The dance forma of India are divided into two categories viz folk dances and classical dances.
The classical dances are the dances that are based on the principles enshrined in Bharat Muni’s Natya Shastra.
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There are a total of 8 classical dances, and they are discussed below.
BHARATANATYAM
- Bharatanatyam earlier known as “Daasi attam”
- Instrument Used: Mridangam, Flute, Violin, Veena, Natuvangam.
- Famous Bharatanatyam Dancers: Mallika Sarabhai, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Alarmel Valli, Padma Subrahmanyam, Rukmini Devi, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Arun Dale.
KATHAKALI
- Kathakali is a dance of Kerala in South India.
- Instrument Used: Chenda, Madalam, Chengila, Idakka, and Shankhu.
- Famous Kathakali Dancers: Vazhenkada Kunchu Nair, Kottakkal Sivaraman, Kalamandalam Gopi, Kalamandalam Nair, Kalamandalam Vasu Prisharody.
MOHINIYATTAM
- Mohiniyattam is a classical solo dance form of Kerala that gets its name from “Mohini,” the celestial enchantress of Hindu Mythology.
- Instruments Used: Mridangam or Madhalam, Idakka, Flute, Veena, Kuzhitalam.
- Famous Mohiniyattam Dancers: Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, Kalamandalam Hymavathy, Sunanda Nair, Gopika Varma, Neena Prasad.
MANIPURI
- Manipuri is an important classical dance form that has originated from the state of Manipur.
- Instruments Used: Pung, Cymbals.
- Famous Manipuri Dancers: Guru Bipin Singh, Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Darshana Jhaveri, Sohini Ray.
ODISSI
- Odissi dance is the classical dance form of Odisha that has its origin in temples.
- Instruments Used: Mardala, Harmonium, Flute, Sitar, Violin, Cymbals.
- Famous Odissi Dancers: Kelucharan Mahapatra, Padmashree Pankaj, Prasad Das, Priyambada Hejmadi, Sanjukta Panigrahi, Minati Mishra, Kumkum Mohanty, Oopalie Oparajita, Sangeeta Das.
KATHAK
- A classical dance indigenous to northern India, Kathak has developed under the influence of Hindu-Muslim cultures.
- The origin of this dance form is attributed to the travelling storytellers or Kathakars of Ancient India.
- Instruments Used: Tabla, Sarangi or Harmonium with Manjira.
- Famous Kathak Dancers: Shambhu Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Birju Maharaj, Roshan Kumari, Saswati Sen, Rohini Bhate, Shovana Narayan.
KUCHIPUDI
- Kuchipudi is originated in a village named Kuchipudi of Andhra Pradesh.
- The dance is accompanied by song which is usually Carnatic Music.
- Natya Tarangini is a school for Kuchipudi.
- Instruments Used: Mridangam, Violin, Flute, Tambura.
- Famous Kuchipudi Dancers: Vempati Chinna Satyam, Uma Rama Sarma, Shoba Naidu, Vyjayanthi Kasha, Sreelakshmy Govardhanan.
SATTRIYA OR SATTRIYA NRITYA
- Originated in Assam, initially was created as part of Bhaona which are performances of Ankiya Nat, one-act plays, originally created by Sankardev, the 15th-16th century polymath from Assam.
- These dances are part of the living traditions today of Sattras, which are communities of live-in devotees belonging to the Ekasarana Dharma or Sarana Dharma, the religion established by Sankardev.
- The themes played are related to Lord Krishna, sometimes other Vishnu avatars such as Rama and Sita and stories from the epics (Mahabharata and Ramayana) are also referred to.
- There is no presence of Radha in Sattriya dance presentations.
- It was on November 15 in the year 2000, that the Sangeet Natak Akademi of India recognized Sattriya as one of the eight classical dances of India.
So, these were the classical dances of India. Share this article with your friends.