The Rich Cultural Heritage: Exploring Traditional Indian Dance Forms

August 19, 2023February 12, 2024 Vishwajeet Choudhary

Dance is one of the oldest arts of Indian culture. Moreover, the art of Indian Dance Forms has its roots in the Indian soil since the Vedic period, was linked to the depths of religious rites, represented the perceived performance of the gods and goddesses themselves, and perpetuated the divine and spiritual concepts of caste.
As the religious purpose varied, the styles of dance were equally varied—classical Dance in India, Folk Dance in India, and Tribal in India.

Table of Contents

Classical Indian Dance Forms

Here you will get complete information about each classical dance.

Kathak: one of the most famous dances from Indian Dance Forms

Kathak dance, originating from Uttar Pradesh, is a North Indian dance form influenced by classical Hindustani music and tabla. Traditionally, it featured stories of Radha and Krishna. The Mughal invasion and Muslim courts shifted the focus to nritta, a pure dance aspect. Both men and women can perform Kathak, with three major schools or Gharanas originating from today’s performers.

Lucknow Gharana
Jaipur Gharana
Banaras Gharana

Bharatnatyam

Bharatanatyam, a very ancient dance form and one of the most popular Indian Dance Forms, is said to have originated in Thanjavur (Tanjore) in Tamil Nadu. Bharatanatyam is considered the purest form of classical dance.

In Bharatnatyam, these three concepts are used – Bhava, Raga and Taal.

Indian dance forms have their roots in the Indian soil since the Vedic period. Furthermore, this dance tradition has been passed down over the centuries by dance teachers known as Nattuvanars and temple dancers called Devadasis. Additionally, the four great Nattuvanars of Tanjore were known as the Tanjore Quarter. They were four brothers, Chinnaiah, Ponnaiah, Vadivelu, and Sivanandam,

Bharatanatyam was revived again by activists and dancers such as Rukmini Devi and E Krishna Layer, Rukmini Devi started the Kalakshetra Sanstha in 1936 and since then there has been a wave of reform towards the dance.

Bharatnatyam, a Carnatic classical music style, is primarily performed with mridangam and cymbals, occasionally featuring veena, violin, ghatam, and flute.

Kathakali

Kathakali is a traditional dance from Kerala, India, and it is a Classical Dance with a history of around 300 years. Moreover, it’s called a “story-play” because it tells stories through dance. Additionally, the dance often portrays the triumph of truth over lies and is based on famous Indian epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Kathakali employs detailed makeup and vibrant costumes, which set it apart. Furthermore, the dancers don colorful clothes and paint their faces. Their outfits consist of big headgear, large jackets, and long skirts over cushioning. Additionally, the makeup features five styles: Pacha, Kathi, Thadi, Kari, and Minukku, each with its own distinctive meaning and appearance.

Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi is a Classical dance form in one of the Indian Dance Forms from Andhra Pradesh, a state in South India. It combines singing and dancing, blending folk and classical elements. Additionally, The dance tells stories through acting and movement. The dancers use Telugu and sometimes Sanskrit words for songs. Kuchipudi has both dance dramas, which show specific stories, and solo performances.

A solo performance consists of different parts, such as rhythmic sequences, expressive passages, and complete dance dramas. Moreover, Kuchipudi strikes a balance between rhythmic footwork (Nritta), expressive movements (Nritya), and storytelling (Natya). Additionally, the dance used to feature complex footwork, like drawing outlines of animals with feet or dancing on the edges of a tray or balancing a water pot on the head.

However, today’s Kuchipudi has changed. Most often, it’s performed solo by female dancers, and it’s evolved from its original form.

Odissi

In Odisha, the traditional dance form is Odissi, which likely originated from temple dances performed by Devadasis. Furthermore, Odissi dancers use graceful movements of the head, bust, and torso to convey different emotions. The roots of Odissi stretch from the 8th to 11th centuries, a time when kings held a strong appreciation for artistic mastery. Additionally, a significant impact on Odissi came from Jayadeva’s Geeta-Govinda, a composition from the 12th century that left a profound imprint on the dance form.

Odissi performances often revolve around Lord Krishna, the 8th incarnation of Vishnu. Furthermore, this classical dance is gentle and lyrical, portraying the essence of Odisha and the philosophy of its beloved deity, Lord Jagannath, whose temple is in Puri.

The Odissi technique centers on the Chawka posture, a sturdy stance distributing body weight evenly on both sides. Additionally, dancers wear comfortable silk sarees, draped practically, along with ornaments like mathami on the head, kapa on the ears, and kankana on the wrists.

Manipuri

Originating from the Manipur region in North-East India, Manipuri dance remains distinct due to the region’s preserved traditional culture. Additionally, this dance form is closely tied to rituals and local festivals.

What sets Manipuri dance apart is its graceful and unhurried movements. It’s characterized by delicate arm gestures and gentle footwork. Furthermore, the dance often draws inspiration from ancient texts like the Vishnu Puranas, Bhagavata Puranas, and Geeta Govinda. With strong connections to Vaishnava Hinduism, Manipuri dance was initially confined to temple spaces, and it continues to be a vital aspect of Manipur’s religious and social life.

Whether in its folk, classical, or modern expressions, Manipuri dance maintains a devotional essence, reflecting its deep religious roots

Sattriya Dance

The Sattriya dance form was introduced in the 15th century by Mahapurusha Sankaradeva, a revered Vaishnava saint and reformer from Assam. Moreover, it is one of the Classical Indian Dance Forms. This unique dance drama has been lovingly maintained and safeguarded by the Sattras, which are Vaishnava monasteries. Additionally, Sankaradeva crafted Sattriya by blending elements from different treatises and local folk dances, forming a rich artistic tradition that has thrived through the ages.

Mohiniattam

Mohiniattam, a dance form believed to have originated in Kerala, is closely intertwined with Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu, initially known as ‘Dasiyattam‘. Exclusively performed by women, the term “Mohini” refers to a maiden who captivates the observer’s heart.

Some other Classical Indian Dance Forms

Here are some more Classical Indian Dance Forms.

Chhau Dance- Notably, this is a war dance and finds its root in the Sanskrit word “Chhaya,” meaning mask, which dancers wear. Furthermore, its themes range from mythology and nature to daily life and emotions. Additionally, rituals connected to Chhau span the year, commencing with Dussehra and training to kick off on Sri Panchami. Musically, it’s grounded in Hindustani ragas.

Krishnanattam- Krishnanattam, as its name implies, is a dance drama centered around the legends of Lord Krishna. This captivating art form is thought to have given birth to Kathakali. In the 17th century, the Zamorin King of Calicut, Mahadevan, a devoted follower of Lord Krishna and a skilled poet, created eight lyrical plays dramatizing different stages of Krishna’s life.

The Bhagavata Mela Dance- Around 300 years ago, the Bhagavata Mela Dance-dramas gained significance in Tamil Nadu. Additionally, Tirtha Narayan Yati, known for the Krishna Lila Tarangini, migrated from Andhra to Tanjore. He initiated the Bhagavata Mela tradition based on Bharat Muni’s Natya Shastra. Notably, his famous compositions like Prahalad, Harishchand, and Usha Parinayam Gollabhama were performed yearly at a major festival dedicated to God Narasimha.

Yakshagana- Yakshagana, a well-loved folk theatre from Karnataka, boasts a history spanning almost 400 years. So, these performances commonly portray tales from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas. Originating from early indigenous musical dramas, particularly the Bahu Nataka crafted by Pakkuribi Somnath around AD 1251, Yakshagana evolved. It vividly portrays diverse Shiva-Lila episodes in various forms.

Folk and Tribal Indian Dance Forms

Folk dancing isn’t a single genre; rather, it comprises diverse rural dance forms, each unrelated. So, These dances are rooted in rural origins and are often performed by everyday people on special occasions, accompanied by traditional instruments.

We can categorize these dances into two groups: folk and tribal. The cultural distinction sets them apart. Folk dances reflect rural extensions of the wider Indian populace, like bhangra and garba.

On the other hand, Tribal dances are expressions of India’s aboriginal communities, known as Adivasi. Also, Their culture stands distinct from the larger Indian society. An example is the Santhali dance.

List of Folk and Tribal Indian Dance Forms

Bhathakamma: A folk dance from Andhra Pradesh.
Bihu: A brisk and aggressive folk dance from Assam, performed by both boys and girls.
Bagurumba: A colorful folk dance performed by the Bodos of Assam.
Bhangra: A lively and powerful folk dance from Punjab.
Chah Baganar Jhumur Nach: A dance from Assam, associated with tea gardens.
Changu: A folk dance found in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, accompanied by a tambourine.
Daankara: A stick dance from Punjab.
Dandaria: A folk dance from Andhra Pradesh.
Dasakathia: A folk theatre from Orissa, involving dance, songs, and stories.
Dhamal: A folk dance from Punjab.
Gair: A dance from Rajasthan, performed by groups with precision.
Garba: A traditional folk dance of Gujarat, often danced during Navaratri.
Gatka: A Punjab folk dance involving swords, daggers, or sticks.
Geendad: A dance from Rajasthan, similar to Gair.
Ghoomar: A folk dance from Rajasthan known for its pirouettes.
Ghanta Patua: A folk dance from Orissa, performed on stilts during the month of Chaitra.
Giddha: A folk dance from Punjab, typically performed by women.
Gobbi: A folk dance from Andhra Pradesh
Jhoomar: A dance performed by the Mundas and Mahantas of Orissa.
Jhumar: A slower version of Bhangra, commonly danced at weddings and festive occasions.
Kahhi Ghodi: A folk dance from Rajasthan featuring performers with a dummy horse.
Kalaripayattu: An ancient Indian martial art practiced in Kerala, parts of Tamil Nadu, and among the Malayali community in Malaysia.
Kavadi: A Tamil Nadu folk dance involving a wooden pole with two pots tied to it, balanced on the shoulder.
Karagam: A Tamil Nadu folk dance where performers balance a pot on their heads.
Kela Keluni: A dance performed by the Kelas of Orissa.
Kikli: A women’s folk dance from Punjab.
Kushan: A folk theatre practiced in Bangladesh and West Bengal.
Lathi Nauch: A folk dance from North-East India and Bangladesh, originally based on a martial arts system using large sticks (Laathi).
Mathuri: A folk dance from Andhra Pradesh.
Raas: A folk dance from Gujarat, often performed at weddings and during Navaratri.
Saami: A women’s folk dance from Punjab.
Sakhi Nata: A puppet dance from Orissa (Odisha).

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