Different dance forms & their origins

Although India has many dances that come from all states of the country, there are only six classical dances that India recognizes at the national level. They are Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kuchipudi and Odissi. Indian folk dance is more than just body movements, since ancient times Indian classical dance forms have been considered a discipline and a way of devoting themselves to God through the arts.

The 15 dance forms of India are:

1. Bharatnatyam

Tamil Nadu, South India

Bharatnatyam is played to the celestial tones of Carnatic music from Tamil Nadu, South India. Bharatnatyam's origins can be traced back to 1000 BC. It dates back to ancient temples in Tamil Nadu which were performed by women in the classical period. The dance form is known for its beautiful body movements and gestures called mudras in traditional languages. It focuses on the dancer's hand gestures, leg movements and facial expressions. This dance form was very widespread before the British era, but fell into a deep decline during the colonial period.However, India kept the dance form alive in the home and today it is India's most revered art form. Recognized as one of the country's women, especially in the south of the country where women take pride in learning the classical Bharatanatyam dance form.

2. Kathak

Uttar Pradesh, North India

Kathak is native to the northern part of the country of Uttar Pradesh and comes from the Hindi word katha, which means history. It is not a very wise guess that Kathak is performed in the form of storytelling through the body movements of the dancers.Often called the dance of love, Kathak can be performed by both male and female dancers together. can. This dance form focuses on ankle movement and requires the ankles to align with the beat of the music.

Uncle Bell, or Gangloo as it is traditionally called, is an important part of the discipline of this dance form.Because it is performed in different parts of the country such as Jaipur, Benaras and Lucknow, these dance forms have many variations. You can see the difference.

3. Kathakali

Kerala, South India

Kathakali is another traditional Indian dance form associated with storytelling. Kathakali means "storyteller" in the local language. Originating from the southern regions of Kerala, Kathakali is one of India's most famous and religious dance forms. It comes from the story of Ramayana and Shiva. Kathakali encompasses seductive facial movements and heavy costumes, including traditional face masks and body color (usually green).The music that includes only singing is called Soppanam. Hindu mythological epic storytelling, depicting both evil and good, is presented through dialogue between dancers through gestures and facial expressions only. Attractive just by looking at it!

4. Manipuri

Manipur, North East India

Manipuri is a key symbol representing the region's state of Manipur as you stroll towards northeast India, full of rich traditions and unique cultures. This dance form is performed to recount the romantic relationship between the Hindu god Radha and Krishna, known as Rasreela. This art form is performed in teams using traditional Manipuri costumes and makeup to tell the story of two gods. Dances are performed to music produced by narrative songs and Indian classical instruments

5. Kuchipudi

Andhra Pradesh

Kuchipudi belongs to Andhra Pradesh and is probably the most difficult classical dance in India. Kuchipudi is not just a dance, but is seen as an entire religious procedure dedicated to the deity, including certain rituals such as sprinkling holy water, burning incense sticks, and praying to the deity. Kuchipudi includes both singing and dancing by performers. As such, it requires both skill and dedication more than any other art form in India. In the early days, Kuchipudi was performed only by male dancers in temples, especially the Brahmins (the upper castes of society), but over time it became popular among women and is now mostly performed by female dancers. .

6. Odissi

East India, Orissa

The Odissi dance form originated in the state of Orissa in eastern India. The traditional dance is derived from Hindu temples in Orissa. Most of the gestures and movements (mudras) are inspired by ancient Indian temple sculptors and idols. This dance is performed to represent the mythology of Hindu deities such as Lord Shiva and Lord Surya. The dance is accompanied by Hindi poetry in the form of mythological stories, music performed by musicians. Odissi is considered to be the oldest Indian dance form that has survived to this day. Odissi dance is performed mainly by female dancers and includes over 50 fascinating mudras (body movements).

7. Bhangra/Gidda

Punjab, North India

Bhangra belongs to Punjab and is a poignant dance adorned with the loud beats of the Dhol (traditional Indian musical instrument).

It is very common in traditional Punjabi festivals.

8. Garba

Gujarat, West Indies

Originating in Gujarat, Garba is a traditional dance form dedicated to Goddess Durga. Played in pairs to typical Gujarati music, sticks are used to perform this art form.

9 Rouf

Kashmir, North India

Rouf is a soothing form of dance performed by the people of Kashmir to celebrate festivals and important occasions. It is generally performed by female dancers to traditional Kashmiri music.

10. Ghoomar

Rajasthan

The people of Rajasthan wear heavy jewelry and beautiful costumes, dance to the beat of music, and perform traditional dance forms. Ghoomar contains mesmerizing circular motions complemented by hand gestures.

11. Chhau

Mayurbhanj, Odisha

Beautiful women in elegant costumes perform the form of the Chow dance, which can be seen in Kolkata during the festival. Originating in East India, folk art is considered a form of martial arts dance.

12. Bihu

Assam, North East India

During the Bihu festival, especially young men and women perform the cheerful Assamese folk dance. The dancers follow patterns of quick hand movements, quick steps and rhythmic swings of the hips and wear traditional Assamese costumes with beautiful accessories.

At the beginning of the spring season, the bihu recites the happiness and heritage of Assam and is performed on the occasion of the Rangali bihu. Dhol, Xutuli, Toka, Baanhi and Gogona are instruments used to play the traditional melodies of the performance. The origin of bihu is not well understood, but there are records that it originated from the bis dances danced by the Assamese upperhi community, such as Sonowarkachalis, Deoris, Moran, Chutias and Borahis. The dance form is popular not only in India but all over the world. This popular Indian dance was performed at the 2012 London Olympics.

13. Lavani

Maharashtra, West Indies

Derived from the state of the Maratha Empire, Lavani is a dance form of Maharashtra. Dances for women mix traditional music with stories of gods. The etymology of Lavani comes from her word Lavanya, which means beauty. The dance form not only contributed to the rise of Marathi folk theater, but also boosted morale during wartime in the 18th century. Lavani comes in two forms. One is philosophical - Nirguni Lavani and the other is sensual - Schlinger Lavani. Powerful and fast foot tap tempo, dance forms are performed to the beat of Dorak. increase. The stories and themes underlying this dance revolve around themes of religion, politics, society, and most often romance.The dancers wear sarees with gold jewels. The dance was originally performed as a form of worship at local temples, but is now a sensual dance performed to a pounding beat and constitutes socio-political satire.

14. Mohiniyattam

Kerala, South India

In Indian mythology, Mohini is the female avatar of Lord Vishnu and the meaning of Atam in Malayalam is the rhythmic movements that follow the dance of the divine magician It is the second most popular dance form in Kerala. This classical Indian dance form is derived from the ancient Sanskrit Nacha Shastra. It is traditionally performed by women, singing and acting according to the Carnatic musical repertoire. A typical mixture of Malayalam and Sanskrit, also called Manipravaram, the song is sometimes sung by the performers themselves. It has a repertoire of instruments such as mridangam, madaram, flute, idaka, veena and kujtaram. The music is expressed in raga and performed in a slow, melodic style. Rasha Her dance is often depicted as gentle, graceful and feminine, but also depicts the energetic dance of Tandava, which is associated with Lord Shiva. In addition to its popularity, the dance was ridiculed by many laws during colonial British Raj as a devadasi prostitution system. Mohiniyattam was revived and rebuilt with the help of

15 Sattriya Dance

Assam, Northeast India

Mahapurusha Sankaradeva, a Vaishnava saint and Assamese reformer, introduced the Sattriya dance in the 15th century. This dance form was preserved in the Sattras or Vaishnava mathematics. Therefore, it remained a living tradition. This dance was an artistic way of expressing mythological teachings. Traditionally, this dance was performed by male monks or bokot.

Today, however, that practice has changed in many ways. The theme is not limited to mythology, and the performance is not limited to Satra. Even women can perform sattriya dance and dance on stage.

Origins of Indian Dance Forms

The origins of Indian dance can be traced back to ancient times. Dancing figures can be seen in the cave paintings of Bimbetka Rock Shelter in Madhya Pradesh. Carvings dating back to the Indus civilization also depict dancing figures, and a text on the origins of Indian dance can be found in the Natya Shastra written by the sage Bharata. This text dates back to the 2nd century A.D. In this text the creation of the dance is attributed to Lord Brahma who drew knowledge from his four Vedas.

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