Indian Dances

Indian Classical Dance

▪ Natyashashtra: By Bharat Muni

▪ Sangeet Natak Akademi: Categorises classical
dances in India
▪ 8 classical dances in India
▪ Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Odissi,
Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniattam, Sattriya
▪ Rest all other state dances are called folk
dances.
Kathak: North India

▪ Derived from the word ‘katha’ meaning story.

▪ Costume
▪ Ghungroos or bells on the ankle
▪ Female: Lehenga Choli or Chudidaar
kameez
▪ Male: Bare chest and dhoti or kurta
chudidar

▪ Famous Personality
▪ Birju Maharaj
Bharatnatyam: Tamil Nadu

▪ Knees are mostly bent in this

dance form
▪ Triangular shapes vividly visible
▪ Costume
▪ Silk Saree with gold embroidery
▪ Lots of Pleats

▪ Jewellery
▪ Necklace, Bangles etc.
▪ Bells mounted on woven pads are
worn on feet.
Kathakali: Kerala

▪ Based on the theme of good and

evil
▪ Rapid movement of Eyes and
Eyebrows
▪ Make-up and head gear is unique
feature of this dance.
Odissi: Odhisa

▪ Dance showcase grace and beauty

▪ The dancer focuses on geometrical
shapes and patterns through her
body
▪ Costume
▪ Wrapped around in traditional
style
▪ Bright shades of Red, Orange or Green

▪ Jewellery
▪ Tikka (forehead ornament)
▪ Allka (headpiece where tikka hangs)

▪ Famous Personality
▪ Sanjukta Panigrahi
Kuchipudi: Andhra Pradesh

▪ Very similar to Bharatnatyam

▪ Balancing dance form
▪ Costume
▪ Similar to bharatnatyam
▪ Saree folds at the back

▪ Famous Personality
▪ Raja and Radha Reddy
Manipuri: Manipur

▪ Costume
▪ Female costume is called Patloi
▪ Male usually wear saffron depicting
Lord Krishna
Mohiniattam: Kerala

▪ Realistic and simple makeup

▪ Influenced from Bharatnatyam
and kathakali
▪ Costume
▪ White or Cream Saree with gold
border
▪ Costume is Pleated

▪ Jewellery
▪ Mainly gold ornaments

▪ Famous Personality
▪ Gopika Varma
Sattriya: Assam

▪ Based on mythological themes

▪ Uses variety of hand gestures
▪ Costume
▪ Silk Costume

▪ Jewellery
▪ Traditional Assamese designs
Links

▪ http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-dance/classical
▪ http://www.kaphalstudio.com/archive/Dances.pdf