Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Classical dances reveals the cultural heritage of India

Classical dances quiet clearly reveals the cultural heritage of India. In India each dance form will have its own specialty and grace, along with a set pattern of costumes and make-up.

These different form of classical dances set the true meaning to the glory of India.

Bharatanatyam is the most popular of Indian dances and belongs to the South Indian state of Tamil nadu.

Bharatanatyam

It is believed that Chakiarkoothu dance was introduced to Kerala and is performed only by the members of the Chakiar caste. This is a highly orthodox type of dance which is staged inside temples only.

The Chhau dancer very well communicates the inner emotions and themes through cadences of body flexions, movements and kinetic suggestions.

Another classical dance form is Kathak where the themes of Krishna, Radha, Shiva, Parvati and mythological characters find a exact place.

Kathakali is a story play or a dance drama. Kathakali is limited to decorative dance movements.

Koodiyattam is the oldest surviving link with ancient Sanskrit theatre that is practised in Kerala. This dance form consists of some popular Sanskrit dramas like Ascharyachudamani of Shaktibadra, Subhadradhananjeyan of Kulasekara Varman, Abhisekha Nataka and Swapnavasavadatta of Bhasa, Kalyana Saugandhikam of Mahendra Vikrama and Bhagavadajjukiyam of Bodhayana.

Krishnattam presents eight successive nights that reveals the entire story of Lord Krishna, and the dance style is almost alike Kathakali.

Kuchipudi, like Kathakali is also a dance-drama tradition which derived it's name from the vilage of Kuchipudi in the Southern State of Andra Pradesh. The female roles are also enacted by men till date.



Manipuri dances are a part of the daily life of the Manipuri people. This dance is presented as a group dance with gorgeous, colourful costumes with soft movements.

Mohini Attam as a dance form has developed in Kerala. This dance form is performed by women. Mohini Attam follows the Bharatanatyam dance form.

Odissi is considered as the oldest classical Indian dance on the basis of archival evidence.

Ottan Thullal is performed solo and it is also known as the poor man's Kathakali.

Yaksha Gana belongs to Karnataka which has a rural origin. Its heart lies in Gana meaning music. It is about 400 years old.


Every part of a dance conveys some meaning in the graceful motion of a dancer. The various dance forms have also developed a particular form of make-up for the performance, which is a skill by itself. Each dance form and style have their own traditional patterns set down.

1 comment:

  1. Foarte interesat subiectul postat de tine, m-am uitat pe blogul tau si imi place ce am vazu am sa mai revin cu siguranta.
    O zi buna!

    ReplyDelete