India is a country known for its rich cultural heritage. India is also well known for its diversification. In those cultures, Indian dance is one of the most revered identities of our culture. Every state of India has its unique dance form. Whether it is classical dance or folklore, every dance has its importance and specialty.
Recently we witnessed one such movie named "Kantara". The kantara dance name is known as "Buta Kola." There are many more such dance forms in every corner of India. Let's have a glance at some of these dance forms in today's article.
Ancient Dance Forms of India
The classical dance form originated from Natya Shastra. These ancient dance forms of India have a rich and diverse history spanning thousands of years. Out of all these traditional ancient dance forms of India, 8 dance forms are the most popular.
They are Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, and Sattriya. These classical ancient dance forms of India are also known as Shastriya Nritya. The word Shastriya means classical and Nrityam means the art of dancing. These ancient Indian dance forms express 9 basic technicalities as
- Shringar: Love
- Hasya: Humorous
- Adbhoot: Wonder
- Karuna: Sorrow
- Raudra: Anger
- Bhayanak: Fear
- Veer: Heroism
- Bibhats: Disgust
- Shanta: Patience
Some ancient dance forms of India
Bharatanatyam
Bharatanatyam is one of the most popular and oldest classical dance forms in India. Bharatanatyam originated in Tamil Nadu. Earlier it is called Sadhir Attam. Bharatanatyam was a temple dance to tell stories from various sculptures.
Bharatanatyam is one of the ancient dance forms of India to devote god. There is no particular origin date for Bharatanatyam. Archeologists estimate the first compilation of the text to be between 200 BCE and 200 CE. Bharatanatyam style is also mentioned in Manimegali as well as Silappatikaram which were written in the 6th and 2nd centuries.
Bharatanatyam is characterized by its expressive hand gestures, intricate footwork, and elaborate facial expressions. This ancient dance forms of India is highly stylized and follows a strict set of rules and techniques.
Bharatanatyam involves a combination of rhythmic footwork, graceful movements of the hands and body, and intricate facial expressions to convey the story or emotion. This dance form is accompanied by Carnatic music.
Over the years, Bharatanatyam has evolved to include modern elements while still rendering its traditional roots. Today it is a famous dance form widely performed not only in India but also across the world.
Kuchipudi
Kuchipudi is a classical and one of the ancient dance forms of India. It originated from the Kuchipudi village in the Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh. Kuchipudi is the famous dance form after Bharatanatyam. It is also a temple dance form like Bharatanatyam.
Kuchipudi dance starts with a religious act followed by water sprinkling and later lighting incense and finally invoking god's blessings. The interesting thing about the Kuchipudi dance form is it comprises 28 hand mudras. Bharata Muni described Kuchipudi as the graceful dance in his Natya Shastra. He often called Kuchipudi Kaishiki Vritti.
Kuchipudi is a blend of dance, music, and acting, and it is known for its intricate footwork, graceful movements, and expressive facial expressions. Kuchipudi has a unique storytelling style. Kuchipudi involves the use of both dance and theater to narrate stories from Hindu Mythology.
Kuchipudi has a rich history that dates back to the 2nd century BCE. It has evolved over the years to include various influences from other classical dance forms. Today, Kuchipudi is famous as one of the eight classical and ancient dance forms of India. Kuchipudi became most popular across the world because of its beauty and elegance.
Did you know?
Bharatanatyam is the oldest dance form in India and Kuchipudi is considered the toughest dance form in India.
Kathak
Kathak is one of the 8 ancient dance forms of India. It originated in Uttar Pradesh. The dance is a mix of story narration and worshipping deities. Kathak is known for its tangled footwork, spins, and expressive storytelling. Hand gestures, body poses, eye movements, and grace combine to make Kathak a graceful dance to see.
Kathak is conveyed through a combination of facial expressions, hand gestures, and body movements. A Kathak dancer starts the dance by offering respect to the guru and praying to receive god's blessings. After that, the dancer starts dancing and the music accompanies different classical instruments like Sarangi Seeta, Manjira, Tabla, Harmonium, and many more.
Kathak has evolved over the centuries, blending Hindu and Muslim influences to become a rich and dynamic art form. It is also a sort of temple dance form. Kathak is also performed in royal courts, but today it is also showcased on stages and in dance academies around the world.
A unique feature that separates Kathak from other ancient dance forms of India is its adaptability to contemporary music and styles. It still retains its traditional roots. This feature made Kathak a popular choice for fusion dance forms and collaborations with other genres of music and dance.
Kathak requires years of rigorous training to master, and performers must have a deep understanding of the music and rhythm they are dancing to. Despite its challenges, Kathak remains a vibrant and beloved art form, treasured by dancers and audiences alike.
Odissi
The dance form Odissi originated in Odisha. Similar to Bharatanatyam, Odissi is also a temple dance form. Earlier, it is performed at temples in Odisha. Later, it took to stage performances. The theme of this dance form is worshipping Lord Jagannath.
The dancer's costumes are symbolic of Hindu mythology. Whereas, some other themes are worship of Surya (the Sun god), Shakti, Shiva, and Vaishnavism. The origin of Odissi was tracked back to the 2nd century.
Odissi is performed by both men and women and has evolved over the years with influences from various dance forms. It is known for its elaborate costumes and jewelry that add beauty to the performance. It has gained worldwide recognition. Odissi is celebrated as a significant part of India's cultural heritage.
Manipuri
The dance form Manipuri originated from Manipur. The dance form is based on the 'Raasaleela' trope where Radha and Lord Krishna share a dance. Desired inspiration from Lord Krishna, Manipuri is considered a religious form. This dance combines singing as well as dancing.
In general, it was performed during festivals and celebrations like weddings. The female dancer dresses as a Manipuri bride whereas the male dancer wears a dhoti. Manipuri dancers consider them as 'Gandharvas' mentioned in the Vedic texts.
Mohiniyattam
Mohiniyattam originated in Kerala. The name is a combination of two words Mohini and Attam meaning the graceful body movements of a woman. The literal translation of Mohinyattam is a dance of the enchantress.
Therefore, people regard Mohiniyattam as a highly graceful dance form performed by a woman. The main theme of this dance is devotion to God. Mudras or hand gestures are more important in this dance form. The dancers wear a white saree with golden brocade. This costume is the highlight of the dance.
Kathakali
Kathakali also originated in Kerala in the 17th century. It is a mix of devotion, drama, music as well as dance. It is a highly stylized and elaborate art form that combines dance, music, and drama. Kathakali is the best dance form to tell stories from Hindu mythology and other Indian epics.
The main highlight of this dance form is the makeup of the dancer. Each color of makeup has its unique meaning. The 'Pacha' or green color represents a noble character. While 'Kathi' and 'Kari' means a villain or a demon. In addition to that, three types of beards are a part of the makeup.
The music accompanying the dance is provided by a group of musicians. These traditional Indian instruments include mridangam, chenda, and cymbals. Kathakali is a unique art form that has a rich cultural and historical significance in India.
Sattriya
Sattriya originated from Assam. It is one of the eight major and ancient dance forms of India. It is one of the major Indian dance forms recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Sattriya has a history of more than 500 years. There are many forms of Sattriya.
These Sattriya forms are Mati Akhara, Krishna Nritya, Jhumura, Gopi Prabesh, Nadubhangi, Chali, Gosain Prabesh, etc. The origin of the Sattriya traces back to ancient India, as depicted by copper plate inscriptions and sculptures. Sattriya is closely associated with the Vaishnavite monasteries or satras of Assam.
Sattriya was originally a dance form to worship Lord Krishna. It is known for its graceful movements, delicate footwork, and fluid hand gestures. Sattriya is performed in different musical styles. These styles include traditional Assamese music and devotional songs.
Conclusion
In the end, not only these 8 dance forms are there in India. But there are also many folk dances such as Kolattam, Bhamakalapam, Bihu, Garba, Yakshagana, Bhangra, etc are there in every part of India. Each of these dances forms some individual importance.
