SEVEN CLASSICAL DANCE FROM INDIA !

NATARAJ KNOWN AS GOD OF DANCE

KATHAK

 

This north Indian dance form is inextricably bound with classical Hindustani music, and the rhythmic nimbleness of the feet is accompanied by the tabla or pakhawaj.

Kathak (Hindi: कथक, Urdu: کتھک‎) is one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance. Kathak is indigenous to northern India and developed under the influence of both Hindu and Muslim cultures. The origin of Kathak is traditionally attributed to the traveling bards of ancient northern India known as Kathakars or storytellers. The term Kathak is derived from the Vedic Sanskritword Katha which means "story", and Kathakar which means "the one who tells a story", or "to do with stories". Wandering Kathakars communicated stories from the great epics and ancient mythology through dance, songs and music. 

 BHARATNATYAM 

Bharatnatyam is more popular in South Indian states. This dance is almost 2,000 years old. This dance flourished in the Hindu temples of South India. 

Bharatanatyam (Tamil: பரதநாட்டியம்) is a major form of Indian classical dance that originated in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of eight forms of dance recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi and it expressed South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas, particularly of Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism.

The theoretical foundations of Bharatanatyam are found in Natya Shastra, the ancient Hindu text of performance arts.Natya Shastra is attributed to the ancient scholar Bharata Muni, and its first complete compilation is dated to between 200 BCE and 200 CE, but estimates vary between 500 BCE and 500 CE.

MANIPURI 

The most striking part of Manipur dance is its colorful decoration, lightness of dancing foot, delicacy of abhinaya (drama), lilting music and poetic charm 

Manipuri Dances are very much based upon the cymbals (kartal or manjira) and the cylindrical drum known as Manipuri mridang or pung. Unlike other classical, dances where the instrument is merely used as an accompaniment, the pung and the kartal (manjira) are actually used in the dance.

KATHAKALI 

It literally means story play and is an elaborate dance depicting the victory of truth over falsehhood.

Kathakali (Malayalam: കഥകളി) is a major form of classical Indian dance. It is a "story play" genre of art, but one distinguished by the elaborately colorful make-up, costumes and face masks that the traditionally male actor-dancers wear. Kathakali is a Hindu performance art in the Malayalam-speaking southwestern region of India (Kerala).

KUCHIPUDI

It presents scenes from Hindu Epics and mythological tales through dance-dramas combining music, dance and acting. ODISSI It is considered a dance of love, joy and intense passion, pure, divine and human. It divides the body into three parts, head, bust and torso. 

Kuchipudi is one of the eleven major Indian classical dances. It originated in a village named Kuchipudi in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Kuchipudi is a dance-drama performance, with its roots in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra.

MOHINIATTAM 

It is a very graceful dance meant to be performed as a solo recital by women. 

Mohiniattam dance form was nurtured in the region of Kerala in southwestern India. Mohiniattam literally means 'Dance of the Enchantress, which has a mesmerizing quality. The white and gold costume, arresting hairstyle with highly graceful movements in medium tempo, contribute to this aesthetic effect.

The noted Malayalam poet Vallathol, who established the Kerala Kalamandalam dance school in 1930, played an important role in popularizing Mohiniattam in the 20th century. Mohiniyattam dance form typically represents and performs as Lord Vishnu disguised as a Mohini.