Dance

DANCE
BY PRATYUSHA AGARWAL
TYPE OF
INDIAN DANCES
• Bharatanatyam, Tamil Nadu
• Kathak, Uttar Pradesh, North India
• Kathakali, Kerala, South India
• Manipuri, Manipur, North East India
• Kuchipudi, Andhra Pradesh
• Odissi, Odisha, East India
• Bhangra/ Gidda, Punjab, North India
• Ghoomar, Rajasthan
• Chhau, Mayurbhanj, Odisha
• Bihu, Assam, North-east India
• Lavani, Maharashtra, West India
• Mohiniyattam, Kerala, South India
• Sattriya Dance, Assam, North East India
• Rouf, Kashmir, North India
• Garba, Gujarat, West India
BHARATNATYAM
Performed on the celestial tunes of the Carnatic music,

Bharatnatyam comes from the state of Tamil Nadu in
South. The origins of Bharatnatyam can be traced back to
1000 BC, and it originates from the ancient temples of
Tamil Nadu performed by the women of the classical
period. The dance form is known for its beautiful body
movements and gestures which are called Mudras in the
traditional language. It focuses on the hand gestures, leg
movement and the facial expressions of the dancer. This
dance form was very prevalent before the British era but
was profoundly depressed during the colonial period.
However, India kept the dance form alive in the houses,
and today it is recognised as one of the most respectable
art forms in India especially in the Southern region of the
country where it is a moment of pride for the women of
the house to learn the classical dance form of
Bharatnatyam.
KATHAK
Coming from the northern part of the country from

the state of Uttar Pradesh, Kathak comes from the
word 'Katha' which means "story" in Hindi. It isn't a
very smart guess for one to make that Kathak is
performed in the form of storytelling through the
body movements used by the dancer. Kathak is often
referred to as the dance of love, and it can be
performed by both by the male and female dancer
together. This dance form focuses highly on the
ankle movements complemented by the ankle that
has to match the beats of the music. Ankle bells or
gunghroos as they are called in the traditional
language is an important part of the discipline of this
dance form. Various distinctions can be witnessed in
this dance forms as it is performed in various places
in the country which includes Jaipur, Benaras, and
Lucknow.
KATHAKALI
•Kathakali is another traditional dance form of India
which relates to the storytelling. Kathakali translates
to the 'storyteller' in the country's language. Coming
from the Southern region of the country from Kerala,
Kathakali is one of the most renowned and religious
dances forms of India. It originates from the tales of
Ramayana and Shiva stories. Kathakali includes the
intriguing face movements and the heavy costumes
which include the traditional face masks and body
paints (generally green). The music which includes
only the vocals is called Soppanam. The storytelling of
the epic Hindu mythology tales depicting both evil and
good is shown through the conversation between the
dancers only through their body gestures and facial
expressions.
MANIPURI
•
As you stroll towards the North-east India
which is brimming with the rich tradition and
their unique culture, Manipuri comes as an
important symbol to represent the state of
Manipur from the region. This dance form is
performed to narrate the romantic relationship
between the Hindu gods Radha and Krishna,
which is famously known as RaasLeela. This art
form is performed in a team with the traditional
Manipuri costumes and makeup to narrate the
tale of the two gods. The dance is performed on
the narrative chanting and the music created by
the Indian classical instruments.
KUTCHIPUDI
• Belonging to the Andhra Pradesh, Kuchipudi is
probably the toughest form of classical dance in India.
Kuchipudi is not just considered as the dance but a
whole religious procedure dedicated to God which
includes certain rituals such as sprinkling the holy
water, burning the incense sticks and praying to God.
Kuchipudi includes both singing and dancing by the
performer which is why it requires both the skill and
much more dedication than any other art forms in
India. In the earlier period, Kuchipudi was only
performed by the male dancers in the temples,
specifically the Brahmins( Upper caste of the society)
but with the passage of time, it became famous
amongst the women and nowadays it is mostly
performed by the female dancers.
ODDISI
Odissi dance form comes from the state of Odisha
in the eastern part of India. The traditional dance
has been derived from the Hindu temples in
Odisha. Most of the gestures and movements
(Mudras) are inspired by the sculptors and idols
belonging to the ancient temples of India. The
dance is performed as a way to express the
mythological tales of Hindu gods, including that of
Shiva and Surya. The dance is accompanied by a
mythical story, Hindi poem in the form of music
by the musicians. Odissi is considered as the
oldest dance forms of India which are surviving till
today. Odissi dance is performed mostly by the
women dancers, and it includes more than 50
intriguing mudras (body movements).
Bhangra/ Gidda
• Belonging to Punjab, Bhangra is a

heart-pumping dance adorned
with the loud beats of
dhol( traditional Indian
instrument). It is very prevalent
in traditional Punjabi festivals.
Garba
• Garba comes from Gujarat which

is a traditional dance form
dedicated to Goddess Durga. It is
performed in a couple on the
typical Gujarati music, and the
sticks are used to perform this
art form.
Rouf
• Performed by the Kashmiri people

to celebrate their festivals and
important occasions, Rouf is a
soothing dance form generally
performed by the female dancers
on the traditional Kashmiri music.
Ghoomar
Wearing heavy jewelry and

the beautiful costumes you
will find the people of
Rajasthan dancing on the
beats of music to give away
their traditional dance form.
Ghoomar includes the
intriguing circular movements
complemented by the hand
gestures.
Chhau
• The beautiful women dressed in the

elegant attire performing the dance
form of Chhau is what you see during
the festival time in Kolkata. The
popular art coming from eastern India
is considered as the dance in the form
of martial arts.
Bihu
Young men and women mostly perform this joyous
folk dance from Assam during the Bihu festival. The
dancers follow a pattern of rapid hand movement,
quick steps and a rhythmic swaying of hips wearing
the traditional Assamese clothing with beautiful
accessories. Marking the beginning of spring season,
Bihu recites the happiness and heritage of Assam and
is performed on the occasion of Rangali Bihu. The
dhol, Xutuli, Toka, Baanhi, Gogona are the instruments
used to play the traditional tunes for the performance.
The origin of Bihu is not very known, although the
records profoundly state that it is originated from the
Bisu dance performed by communities of Upper
Assam like the Sonowal Kacharis, Deoris, Moran,
Chutias and Borahis. The dance form isn't just known
in India but globally popular. This popular Indian
Dance was performed at the London Olympics in
2012.
LAVANI
• Originated from the state of the Maratha empire,
Lavani is a dance form of Maharashtra. The female-
oriented dance is a blend of traditional music and
tales of deities. The origin of Lavani comes from the
word Lavanya which means beauty. Apart from
helping in the upliftment of the Marathi folk
theatre, the dance form was also a morale booster
during the war in the 18th century. Lavani has two
forms; One that's philosophical - Nirguni Lavani and
the other that's sensual- Shringar Lavani. With the
powerful and quick foot-tapping tempo, the dance
form is performed along with the beats of the
Dholak. The stories or subjects this dance is based
on revolves around topics of religion, politics,
society and mostly romance. Dancers are dressed
in nine-yard of saree with golden jewellery. The
dance was initially staged at local temples in the
form of worship, but now it's a sensual dance
performed to the pulsating beats rendering a socio-
political satire.
Mohiniyattam
•In Indian mythology, Mohini is the female avatar of Lord Vishnu, and the meaning of Attam in
Malayalam is rhythmic motion hence adhering to the dance of the divine enchantress. It is the second
most popular dance form of Kerala. This classical Indian dance form roots from the age-old Sanskrit text
- Natya Shastra. It is traditionally performed by women following a repertoire of Carnatic music, singing
and acting a play. At times, the song, a typical hybrid of Malayalam and Sanskrit also called
Manipravalam, is sung by the performer herself. With a repertoire of instruments such a Mridangam,
Madhalam, Flute, Idakka, Veena and Kuzhitalam; the music is rendered in ragas and performed in a
slow melodic style. Although the Lasya dance is often portrayed as gentle, graceful and feminine, it also
exhibits a vigorous dance of Tandava relating to Lord Shiva. Besides its popularity, the dance was
ridiculed by a series of laws as a devadasi prostitution system during the colonial British Raj. A ban that
was protested repealed in 1940 and with the help of the locals of Kerala, Mohiniyattam was revived and
reconstructed.
Sattriya Dance
• Mahapurusha Sankaradeva, a Vaishnava saint and reformer of Assam,

introduced Sattriya dance in the 15th century AD. This dance form was
preserved in the Sattras or the Vaishnava Maths; therefore, it
remained a living tradition. This dance was an artistic way of
presenting mythological teachings. Traditionally this dance was
performed by the male monks or bhokots. However, today, the
practice has changed in many ways. The theme is not just related to
mythology, and the performances are not limited to the Sattras. Even
women can perform Sattriya dance and on the stage.
THANK YOU

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Dance

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DANCE

Performed on the celestial tunes of the Carnatic music,

Coming from the northern part of the country from

• Belonging to Punjab, Bhangra is a

• Garba comes from Gujarat which

• Performed by the Kashmiri people

Wearing heavy jewelry and

• The beautiful women dressed in the

• Mahapurusha Sankaradeva, a Vaishnava saint and reformer of Assam,

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