There are two tyes of traditional Indian dances –
- Classical dance
- Folk dance
1. Classical Dances –
i. Bharatnatyam – Originated in Tamil Nadu, It flourished in the temples and courts of southern India since ancient times. Traditionally, it expresses South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas, particularly of Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism. This is the oldest classical dance tradition in India. The evidence of this dance can be traced in the description of Bharatanatyam by 2nd century CE in the ancient Tamil epic Silappatikaram and temple sculptures of 6th to 9th century CE.
ii. Kathak – Originated in modern Uttar Pradesh, Kathak is traditionally attributed to the travelling bards of northern India during ancient times, known as Kathakars or storytellers. Such wandering bards (Kathakars) used to communicate the stories from the great epics and ancient mythology through dance, songs and music. Kathak further evolved during the Bhakti movement, particularly by incorporating the childhood and stories of the Hindu God Lord Krishna. It also was independently patronized in the courts of north Indian kingdoms. Kathak is unique in having both Hindu and Muslim gharanas and cultural elements of these gharanas. There are three distinct forms of Kathak dance, called ‘Gharana, named after the cities where the Kathak dance tradition evolved – Jaipur, Banaras and Lucknow. While the Jaipur gharana focuses more on the movement of feet, the Banaras and Lucknow gharanas focus more on facial expressions and hand movements.
iii. Kuchipudi – It originated in a village named Kuchipudi of Andhra Pradesh. Kuchipudi is a dance-drama performance developed as a religious art linked to travelling bards, temples and spiritual beliefs, like all major classical dances of India. It has roots in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra. It is known by the name of Bhagavata Mela in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. Kuchipudi largely developed as a Supreme Personality of Hindu God Lord Krishna oriented Vaishnavism tradition. The performance of the Kuchipudi dance begins with an invocation. Then, each costumed actor is introduced, their role is stated, and then they perform a short preliminary dance set to music (dharavu). Next, the pure dance (nritta) is performed. After that the expressive part of the performance (nritya), where rhythmic hand gestures help convey the story.
iv. Odissi – This dance originated in the Hindu temples of Odisha. Traditionally performed predominantly by women and expressed religious stories and spiritual ideas, particularly of Vaishnavism along with other Hindu Gods Shiva and Surya, as well as Hindu goddesses representing Shaktism. Odissi is traditionally a dance-drama kind of performance, where the artists and musicians play out a story, a spiritual message or devotional poem from the Hindu religious texts, using symbolic costumes, body movement, expressions (abhinaya) and gestures and sign language (mudra).
v. Kathakali – Originated in Kerala, it is a story play with elaborately colourful make-up, costumes and faces masks that the traditionally male actor-dancers wear. A Kathakali performance includes music, vocal performers, choreography and gestures (hand and facial both together) to express ideas. It also incorporates the movements from ancient Indian martial arts and athletic traditions of South India. Traditionally, the themes of the Kathakalī are folk stories, religious legends and spiritual ideas from the Hindu epics and the Puranas.
vi. Sattriya – It was originated in modern Assam at Krishna-centered Vaishnavism monasteries as a part of the Bhakti Movement. It is a dance-drama kind of performance. One-act plays of Sattriya is a combination of the aesthetic and the religious through a ballad, dance and drama. The plays are usually performed in the monastery temples (sattras) at dance community halls (namghar). The themes of Sattriya are related to Lord Krishna and other Vishnu avatars such as Rama and Sita and stories from the epics (Mahabharata and Ramayana).
vii. Manipuri – Manipuri dance is also known as Raas Leela and it originated in the Manipur state. This is based on Hindu Vaishnavism themes, and exquisite performances of love-inspired dance drama of Radha-Krishna called Raas Leela. The performance of Manipuri dance drama is graceful, fluid, sinuous with greater emphasis on hand and upper body gestures.
viii. Mohiniyattam – This dance also originated in Kerala. It gets its name from the word Mohini – a historical enchantress avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, who helps the good prevail over evil by developing her feminine powers. It is traditionally a solo dance performed by women where the recitation may be either by a separate vocalist or the dancer herself.
2. Folk Dances –
India has a wide geographical and cultural diversity. Thus, various kinds of folk dances evolved in every region for different occasions. Following are the state-wise folk dances.
Andhra Pradesh –Andhra Natyam, Vilasini Natyam, Dappu, Bhamakalpam, Veera Natyam, Tapetta Gullu, Dhimsa, Kolattam, Lambdi and Butta Bommalu
Arunachal Pradesh – Wancho, Popir, Buiya, Chalo, Pasi Kongki, Ponung and Bardo Chham
Assam – Bihu, Bichhua, Bagurumba, Kaligopal, Khel Gopal, Maharas, Naga Dance, Jhumura Hobjanai, Natpuja, Tabal chongli, Canoe
Bihar – Panwariya, Bakho- Bakhain, Jata- Jatin, Sama Chakwa and Bidesia
Chhattisgarh – Panthi, Gaur Maria, Raut Nach, Pandwani, Vedamati, Kapalik, Chandaini and Bharthari Charit
Goa – Tarangamel, Dekhni, Koli, Fugdi, Shigmo, Ghode, Jagar, Samayi Nritya, Modni, Gonph, Tonya mell and Ranamale
Gujarat – Garba, Dandiya Ras, Tippani Juriun and Bhavai
Haryana – Jhumar, Phag, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khor and Gagor
Himachal Pradesh – Jhali, Chharhi, Jhora, Chhapeli, Dhaman, Dangi, Nati and
Jammu & Kashmir – Hikat, Kud Dandi Nach, Rauf, Mandjas and Damali
Jharkhand – Karmam Munda, Jhumar, Agni, Alkap, Paika, Phagua, Hunta, Mundari, Barao, Sarhul, Jhitka, Danga, Domkach and Ghoda Nach
Karnataka – Karga, Lambi, Suggi, Yakshgan, Kunitha and Huttari
Kerala – Ottam Thulal, Kaikottikali
Lakshadweep – Kolkali, Lava and Parichakali
Madhya Pradesh – Jawara, Mataki, Khada Nach, Aada, Grida Nach, Phulpati, Maanch, Selabhadoni and Selalarki
Maharashtra – Dahikala Dasavtar, Nakata, Koli, Lavani, Lezim, Gafa, Bohada, and Lavani
Manipur– Thang Ta, Dol Cholam, Pung Cholom, Lai Haraoba, Khamba Thaibi, Nupa dance, Khubak Ishei and Lhou Sha
Meghalaya – Laho, Nongkrem and Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem
Mizoram – Chailam, Sawlakin, Cheraw, Khullam, Chawnglaizawn, Par Lam, Thanglam, Solakia and Zangtalam
Nagaland – Bamboo, Rangma, Zeliang, Gethinglim, Nsuirolian, Temangnetin and Hetaleulee
Odisha – Savari, Ghumara, Chhau, Painka and Munari
Punjab – Bhangra, Giddha, Dhaman, Daff, Bhand and Naqual
Rajasthan – Chakri, Ghumar, Jhulan Leela, Jhuma, Suisini, Ganagor, Kalbeliya and Ghapal
Sikkim – Sikmari, Singhi Cham, Yak Cham, Chu Faat, Denzong Gnenha, Tashi Yangku, Khukuri Naach, Chutkey Naach and Maruni
Tamil Nadu – Kumi, Kolattam and Kavadi
Tripura – Hojagiri
Uttaranchal – Kumauni, Garhwali, Kajari, Jhora, Raas Lila, Chappeli and Jaita
Uttar Pradesh – Nautanki, Kajari, Jhora, Raas Lila, Chappeli and Jaita
West Bengal – Gambhira, Kathi, Dhali, Jatra, Baul, Mahal, Keertan and Marasia
