Classical Dances of India with States, Updated List 2023

Classical dance of India has its Significance worldwide. Cultural Ministry of India has included Chhau into the list of classical dances that makes a total of 9 classical dance form.

Last updated on November 23rd, 2023 03:39 pm

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India boasts a rich tapestry of classical dances, each of 8 Classical Dances of India is a vibrant expression of cultural heritage. Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu features intricate footwork, while Kathak from North India narrates tales through rhythmic gestures. Odissi, rooted in Odisha, celebrates devotion, and Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh seamlessly blends dance, drama, and music. Kerala’s Kathakali is a captivating dance drama, while Mohiniyattam exhibits grace in Kerala. Manipuri from Manipur, and Assam’s Sattriya, reflect unique regional traditions, collectively embodying India’s diverse classical dance legacy.

Classical Dances of India

Classical Dance of India: Technicalities and rigid guidelines are a big part of classical dances. The technical underpinnings of all traditional dance forms are laid down in Acharya Nandikeshawara’s “Abhinaya Darpan,” Sharangdev’s “Sangeeth Ratnakar,” and the Natya Shastra (which includes their body movements, rasa, bhava etc). According to India’s Ministry of Culture, there are nine recognised classical dances. Dance is first mentioned in a well-known work in Bharat Muni’s book Natya Shastra. Folk and classical dances are just two of the many types of dance practised in India.

8 Classical Dances of India

Here is the List of Classical Dances of India:

Name of Classical Dance

Place of Classical Dance

Dance Forms in India

Indian classical and Folk dance are the two main types of dance forms in India. The place of origin is the main distinction between classical and folk dance. The Natya Shastra, which describes the distinctive characteristics of each of the classical dance styles, has a long history with classical dance. On the other hand, folk dance developed from the regional customs of the individual state, ethnic group, or geographic area.

9 classical dances of India are mentioned below:

• Bharatanatyam, from Tamil Nadu.
• Kathak, from Uttar Pradesh.
• Kathakali, from Kerala.
• Kuchipudi, from Andhra Pradesh.
• Manipuri, from Manipur.
• Mohiniyattam, from Kerala.
• Odissi, from Odisha.
• Sattriya, from Assam.
• Chhau From Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha

Classical Dances of India with States

Dance Forms

Location

Significance

• Bharatnatyam is an ekaharya dance genre in which a single dancer represents numerous roles in a single performance.
• One of the most crucial texts for understanding the technique and grammar of body movement in Bharatnatyam dance is Nandikesvara’s Abhinaya Darpana.

• Kuchipudi is the name of a village with a long tradition of dance-drama in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district. Its general moniker was yakshagaana.
• The Kuchipudi style of yakshagana was developed in the 17th century by Siddhendra Yogi. It is performed in groups because it is a dance play.

• Kathakali is a form of Indian theatre that dramatises tales from Indian epics while including dance, music, and acting.
• Varying hues on the face signify various mental states and personalities, such as green for nobility, black for wickedness, and crimson patches for monarchy and evil.
• It is impossible to overestimate the significance of eye movements, facial emotions, and hand gestures.

• Mohiniyattam, also known as the dance of Mohini, is the traditional solo dancing style of Kerala (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu).
• In the 1709 book Vyavahara Mala by Mazhamagalam Narayanan Namputiri, Mohiniyattam is mentioned.

• The performance’s principal themes are Lord Vishnu’s incarnations and passages from Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda.
• The neck, torso, and knees of the body are deflected in Tribhanga and Chowk, respectively, which are the two main postures (a position imitating a square).

• Manipuri dance has its roots in prehistoric times, which is a long time before history was written down.
• There are legends about Shiva and Parvati, as well as other gods and goddesses who created the cosmos, dancing, and dance is connected to rituals and traditional festivals in Manipur.

• In order to preach the Vaishnava religion, Sankaradeva, a Vaishnava saint and Assamese reformer, created the Sattriya dancing style in the 15th century A.D.
• Because of its religious roots and connection to the Sattras, this dance form is referred to as Sattriya.

• The word “Kathak” is derived from the word “Katha,” which means “a story.”
• Kathak started to change into a different type of dance with the growth of the bhakti movement in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

Famous Classical Dancer in India

Dancer

Dance

Classical Dances of India Components

From the musical play or sangeet-nataka performed from the 12th to the 19th century, contemporary classical dance styles have developed. Tandava (movement and rhythm) and Lasya are the two fundamental elements of Indian classical dance (grace, bhava & rasa). The three primary elements are-

• Natya (the dramatic element of the dance i.e. the imitation of characters)
• The Nritta (the dance movements in their basic form)
• Nritya (expressional component i.e. mudras or gestures)

These are the nine rasas: love, heroism, pathos, humour, anger, fear, disgust, wonder, and peace. The Natya Shastra, authored by Bharat Muni, is the primary work used by Indian aestheticians to define the features of dance.

Classical Dances of India UPSC

The Ministry of Culture also recognises Chhau Dance as a classical dance of India, bringing the total number of classical dances in India to nine. Sangeet Natak Academy (India’s National Academy) only recognises eight of these dances.

Several crucial aspects of chhau dance are as follows:

• The Chhau Dance has meaning because of the name “Chaya.” Chaya is Hebrew for shadow
• Chhau dance is identified as a mask dance.
• An essential component of Chhau Dance is its energetic martial arts moves.
• Chhau Dance uses a number of narrations, including Serpent Dance and Peacock Dance.
• The Chhau Dance comes in three varieties: The Chhau dance known as Saraikella is well-known in Jharkhand, as is the Chhau dance known as Mayurbhanj in Odisha, and the Chhau dance known as Purulia in West Bengal.
• Masks are not used in the Mayurbhanj Chhau Dance.
• The Chhau Dance was added to the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity maintained by UNESCO.