Indian dance is one of the oldest art forms - in vogue for over 2000 years. Still young and still growing. Indian Classical Dance has its origin in the temples where it was used to illustrate Hindu mythology. This art form was performed in the temples by the Devadasis, ladies who dedicated themselves to the service of God. With the passage of time, Dance as an art form was used both as a means of worship and a way to express one’s emotions or state of mind. Today, it is even used as therapy.

Natya Shastra, the ancient treatise, was written by Sage Bharata. The supreme manifestation of Indian dance is Lord Shiva, also referred to as Lord Nataraja. In fact, there have been nuclear physicists who have connected the movements of the atoms to the "cosmic dance of Shiva".

Indian Dance is an ocean. Let us just take a glimpse at it. Maybe it will be enough to get us interested in searching for the pearls and corals that lie deep below.

The major schools of Classical Dance in India are Kathak, Manipuri, Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Mohiniattam, apart from the Folk and Tribal dances. They share certain similarities, yet, maintain a distinctive character of their own. This is what makes Indian Dance interesting and timeless.

Bharatnatyam

Bharatnatyam is one of the oldest forms of dance. This dance form is based on the ancient text on dance. Bharata stands for BHAva (mood), RAga (music), and TAla (rhythm), while Natyam stands for Nritta (movement). Mime and music are given equal importance in Bharatnatyam. A Bharatnatyam performance is rendered by a solo artist, a duo, or a group.

Bharatnatyam is poetry in motion. A Bharatnatyam performance involves Alarippu-the invocation of God, Jathi Swaram-a note combination, Shabdam-a combination of notes and lyrics, Varnam-a combination of pure dance and abhinaya, and Thillana-the finale.

The costumes used in a performance are elaborate. The dancers dress in colourful, specially designed silk costumes and wear head ornaments, necklaces and bangles. Flowers are wound around their long plait.

Kathakali

Kathakali is the traditional dance form of the people of Kerala. It is a well-developed dance-drama where the actors depict characters from Indian mythology. Kathakali combines dance with dialogue to bring myth and legend to life in the temple courtyards of Kerala.

Kathakali is performed with elaborate masks and costumes. The dancers wear huge skirts and headdress, and the makeup is very intricate. Kathakali performances are generally in open air on a stage covered with coarse mats, with brass lamps providing the lighting.

The dance is performed to the tune of the Chenda, a drum like instrument that produces thundering beats, and the Maddala, which produces a softer and relaxed sound, along with the large bronze Cymbal. All three instruments are used in unison to herald the performance.

Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi is the dance form of Andhra Pradesh and had its genesis in the village of the same name, originally called Kuchelapuri or Kuchelapuram. According to tradition, Kuchipudi was originally performed only by Brahmin men. These Brahmin families were known as Bhagavathalu of Kuchipudi. They never allowed women in their groups. Kuchipudi performances are dance-dramas, commonly known as Ata Bhagavatham.

In a Kuchipudi performance, each principal character introduces himself/herself on the stage with a small composition of dance and song, specially designed to identify the character. Kuchipudi costumes look similar to Bharatnatyam costumes. Elegant footwork is an important aspect of Kuchipudi.

Some special performances include those of dancing on brass plates and moving the plate with the feet to the tune of accompanying music. Yet another, is the formation of beautiful floor patterns using efficient feet movement.

Manipuri

Manipuri is the traditional dance form of Manipur. The Manipuris are considered descendants of the Gandarvas, the legendary musicians and dancers in the celestial court of Lord Indra. The origin of the word ‘Manipuri’ can be traced to the legends. According to the legends, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are said to have danced in the valleys of Manipur, accompanied by the Gandarvas, to the celestial light of the Mani or Jewel from the head of the serpent Athishesha.

Manipuri lays emphasis on involving the entire body in the dance other than the facial expression. The principal dance item in Manipuri is Ras, which depicts bhakti rasa. The innumerable escapades of Lord Krishna are depicted in Ras. This form of dance lays emphasis on lyrical grace and delicacy of hand gestures.

The Choolams is another form of Manipuri, which includes vigorous Tandava items and fast rhythms. Choolams involves singing and dancing directed towards achieving the union with God. In Choolams, Poong Choolam is danced by men holding drums and Kartal Choolam by both men and women with cymbals in their hands. Lai Haraoba is another form of Manipuri, which portrays the creation of the Universe. The costumes used in this dance form are ornamental and colourful.

Mohiniattam

Mohiniattam is a semi-classical dance form of Kerala. It is essentially a solo dance, performed by women. The word ‘Mohini’ means ‘a maiden who steals the heart of the onlooker’. It is thought that Vaishnava devotees gave the name, Mohiniattam, to this dance form. Legend says that Lord Vishnu took on the guise of a Mohini, the arch enchantress, to enthrall people.

Mohiniattam performances depict love and devotion to god. The hero of most performances is Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna. Mohiniattam involves delicate footsteps and subtle expressions. The movements are graceful and the costumes are sober and attractive. Mohiniattam follows the Hastha Lakshanadeepika, a textbook for Mudras. The vocal music for Mohiniattam is Classical Carnatic.

Mohiniattam has flavours of Bharatnatyam and Kathakali in it. The basic dance steps of Mohiniattam are the Adavus - Taganam, Jaganam, Dhaganam and Sammisram. It maintains realistic makeup and simple dressing. The Mohiniattam costume includes a white jacket and sari, and tresses bedecked with jasmine flowers.

Odissi

Odissi is the traditional dance form of Orissa. Originally, the Devadasis performed this dance form in the temples as a religious offering. Odissi is a dance of divine, human, love and passion. The performance is soft and lyrical depicting the ambience of Orissa and the philosophy of the popular Hindu God, Lord Krishna.

Most of the poses in this form of dance are inspired by the temple carvings of Orissa. The costumes worn by the dancers are similar to the sculptures. The dancers wear colourful costumes and traditional silver jewellery. Elaborate ornaments are worn specially on the hips.

Odissi is based on the popular devotion to Lord Krishna and the verses of the Sanskrit play Geet Govindam are used to depict the love and devotion to God. Odissi presents a synthesis of the Lasya and Tandava aspects of Indian Classical Dance. An Odissi dance performance involves a balance between pure dance, expressional dance and a combination of acting and dance.

Indian Folk and Tribal Dances

Indian folk and tribal dances are performed to express joy. The dances are extremely simple with minimum steps or movement. They are full of verve and vitality. Each dance form has a specific costume. Most costumes are flamboyant with elaborate jewels.

The Northeast part of the country is the home for over 60 tribes. The exciting dances of the Nagas and the Bihus of Assam are performed to celebrate spring and harvesting.The chief folk dance of Gujarat, the Dandiya, is performed using sticks.

The Bhangra dance of the Punjab is danced by men, to the rhythm of the drum. The dance includes a wide range of leaps and jumps.

There are hundreds of Indian folk and tribal dances. Each region of India has its own folk dance. Both men and women perform the bamboo dance of Mizoram.

In the South, the dummy horse dance or the Poikalkuthirai is very famous. Dancers fit dummy legs- stilts - to their legs and dance . Dancers of Tamil Nadu place a karagam and dance balancing the karagam.

Kathak

Kathak is the predominant dance form of North India. This dance form gets its name from the word "Katha" (story), since it originated from the devotional recitation of the storytellers or Kathakars who were attached to the temples.

Kathak was initially performed in the temples, in praise of the Lord. With the advent of the Mughals, Kathak was introduced in the King's durbar, thus moving this art form from devotion to entertainment. The influence of the Mughals is evident in the costumes designed for the performance.

Kathak has two major techniques. They are Nritta, meaning ‘pure dance’, and Abhinaya, meaning ‘expressions’. Intricate footwork and rapid pirouettes are the predominant styles of this dance form. The typical Kathak costume resembles the Mughal miniature paintings. Both men and women perform this form of dance.