Dances of India

[UPSC Notes]
What is the Dance of India?
India is home to some of the world's most diverse civilizations and customs. Whether it be folk
or classical dance, India has diverse dance traditions. Also, India experiences four seasons, and
there are dances for each. For the harvest season, practically every state has its dance. There a
many folk dances that vary from each other on the basis of geographical regions, ethnicity, and
respective state while the classical dances are mostly confined to Hindu spirituality.

Different Dance forms of India

India is known for its richly diverse cultural heritage. Dance is one culture with a rich form all
across the nation. In India, every state has its form of dance enriching the idea of unity in
diversity. It is divided into two different forms-
• Classical Dance Form- There are 8 classical forms of Indian dance.
• Folk Dance Form- There are more than 30 popular folk dance forms of India.

List of Classical Dances of India

As per the source and scholars, there are 8 types of classical dances in India. Classical dance
is said to be originated from Natya Shastra. Legends like Shanta Rao and Birju Maharaj are
known for their excellence in these dance forms. Here is the list of the classical dance of India,
along with their basic technicalities and the states-

Classical Dance of India State of Origin

Bharatnatyam Tamil Nadu

Kathak Uttar Pradesh

 Kuchipudi Andhra Pradesh

Kathakali Kerala

Odissi Odisha

Manipuri Manipur

Sattriya Assam

Mohiniyatta Kerala

Bharatnatyam
It is one of the most popular classical Indian dances. It is almost 2000 years old. It is believed
that Lord Brahma revealed Bharatnatyam to Bharata, a famous sage who codified this sacred
dance in a Sanskrit text called the Natya Shashtra. Natya Shastra divides dance into two distinct
forms – nritta and nritya. The Bharatnatyam dance flourished in the Hindu temples of south
india. The temple dancers are called Devadasis or servants of god.
The present form of Bharatnatyam dance was evolved by Poniah Pillai of Tanjore and his
brothers. Formats of Bharatnatyam consist of Alarippu(invocation), Jathi Swaram(note
combinations), Shabdam(notes and lyrics), and Varnam(a combination of pure dance and
abhinaya) lighter items like Padams and Javalis (all erotic) and finally the Thillana(again pure
dance).

Kathak
Kathak is one of the major classical dance forms of India. It is the dance form of Uttar Pradesh,
whose origin is attributed traditionally to ancient Pakistan and North india. These were popularly
known as the storytellers or the Kathakars. The term Kathakars refers to the people who tell a
story. But, the dance form of Kathak developed in India during the Bhakti movement and the
Mughal period. They used to depict the stories of lord Krishna through their dance.
Kathak is a particular dance form of India that has survived a significant period as an oral
tradition. It is passed on from one generation to the other orally and via practice. The modern
form of Kathak has three main sections-
 • the invocation
• the abstract (pure) dance rectical
• Expressive dance

Kuchipudi
This dance originated in the village of Kusselavapuri or Kuchelapuram, Andhra. It is a dance
with drama act & has its roots in “Natya Shastra” (Literary comprehensive, and vivid work on the
various facets of Indian classical dance by Bharat Muni). It runs on the theme of Bhagwata
Purana but has a secular character.

Kathakali
is the oldest dance form of India and a native of Kerala (particularly in the southwestern region).
Kathakali is another dance form that includes the genre of Story play art. It is distinguished from
the other dance forms based on its appearance. In Kathakali, the performers use bright
costumes with colourful make-up and great face masks. The face masks are restricted to the
male Kathakali performers only.

Odissi
It is a dance-drama genre traditional/classical dance of India, also referred to as Orissa ( as per
India’s old literature). Its origin happened in history as a dance form in the temples of Odisha. It
includes the parts of the eastern coastal Indian states as well. In Odissi, the dance performers
and musicians play a spiritual message, a historical story, or a devotional poem from the Hindu
culture. This dance form is famous for its mudras, abhinaya, body movements, and symbolic
costumes.

Manipuri
Manipuri Raas leela or manipuri dance is a classical dance form of Manipur. This dance form
involves the devotional stories of Radha Krishna of the Madhura raas. The performers have
gentle eyes, and their body movements and facial expressions are soft and peaceful. The soft
and peaceful movements symbolise the emotions of devotions (particularly emphasising the
Bhakti Rasa). Though Manipuri is a dance form based on Vaishnavism’s Hindu Shastras, this
dance form is not only restricted to the Hindus.

Sattriya
Inspired by the Bhakti movement, it depicts mythological stories of Vishnu. Shankaradeva, in
the 15th century A.D, introduced its modern form. It is a classical dance form of Assamese. It
originated from Vaishnavism (this was Krishna-centred) and was attributed to the 15th century
by the saint Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev and Scholars of the Bhakti Movement. It is mostly
played in the dance community halls of temples. It is a mixture of dance, drama, and ballads.
The form includes expressions of virtues, spiritual ideas and scripture’s essence.

Mohiniyatta
Mohiniyatta is a dance form that was restricted to Kerala. It developed and remained in the state
despite its popularity all over the south. It was named after the historical enchantress avatar of
lord Vishnu- Mohini. Mohini was a symbol for women who, with her feminine powers, helped in
prevailing good over evil. It is a dance which depicts feminine, delicacy and eros filling. Initially,
it was a woman's dance, but later, it was adopted by men.

List of India Folk Dance

Folk Dance forms represents the culture of a particular area or community from where it
originated. Some of the India Folk dances are listed in UNESCO's list of intangible cultures. A
list of different dance forms of India with their states is as under-

State Dance

Andhra Kuchipudi, Kolattam

Pradesh

Arunachal Bardo Chham

Pradesh

Assam Bihu dance, Jhumur Naach

Jharkhand Karma/Munda

Chhattisgarh Panthi, Raut Nacha, Gaur Maria, Dekhni Dance

Goa Koli, Dashavatara, Dekhni, Dhalo, Ghodemodni, Romta Mel, Divlyan Nach
(Lamp dance)

Gujarat Garba, Raas, Tippani Dance

Himachal Kinnauri Nati

Pradesh

Haryana Saang, Ras Leela, Ghoomar, Jhumar, Teej, Phag, Dhamal

 Karnataka Yakshagana, Bayalata.

Kerala Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Thirayattam, Thitambu Nritham,

Aravanmuttu, Padayani.

Madhya Jawara, Maanch, Grida, Tertali, Phulpati Dance, Matki Dance

Pradesh

Maharashtra Lavni, Tamasha, Dangi, Pavri Nach, Povadas, Koli, Dindi

Manipur Thang-Ta, Dhol Sholom

Mizoram Cheraw Dance

Nagaland Chang Lo or Sua Lua.

Odisha Ghumura Dance, Ruk Mar Nacha (& Chhau dance), Goti Pua, Nacni,
Odissi, Baagh Naach or Tiger Dance, Dalkhai, Dhap, Ghumra

Punjab Bhangra, Giddh, Jhumar, Karthi, Ludi

Rajasthan Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Bhavai, Kachchhi Ghodi.

Sikkim Singhi Chham

Tamil Nadu Bharatanatyam, Kamandi or Kaman Pandigai, Devarattam, Kummi,
Kolattam, Karagattam or Karagam, Mayil Attam or Peacock dance, Paampu
attam or Snake Dance

Tripura Hojagiri

West Bengal Gambhira, Nacni, Alkap, Domni, Chow