Master10
Indian Art, Culture & Heritage Module

Classical & Folk Dance Traditions of India

Indian dance traditions are rooted in the ancient Sanskrit treatise Natya Shastra attributed to Sage Bharata, which establishes foundational principles of Nritta (pure dance), Nritya (expressive dance), and Natya (dramatic storytelling). The Sangeet Natak Akademi officially recognizes eight classical dance forms: Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathak (Northern India), Kathakali (Kerala), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), Odissi (Odisha), Sattriya (Assam), Manipuri (Manipur), and Mohiniyattam (Kerala). These classical forms employ standardized mudras (hand gestures), rasas (emotional states), and abhinaya (facial expressions). Alongside classical styles, India boasts vibrant regional folk dances such as Garba (Gujarat), Bihu (Assam), Bhangra (Punjab), Lavani (Maharashtra), and Chhau (eastern tribal belts).

Key Concepts & Examination Highlights

  • Bharatanatyam originated as 'Sadir Natyam' performed by Devadasis in the temples of Tamil Nadu and was revived by Rukmini Devi Arundale.
  • Sattriya was created in the 15th century CE by the Vaishnavite saint-reformer Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva in Assam's Sattras (monasteries).
  • Kathakali is renowned for elaborate facial makeup (vesham) using natural pigments and dramatic eye movements depicting epics.
  • Chhau dance, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, is performed in Purulia (WB), Seraikela (Jharkhand), and Mayurbhanj (Odisha).
  • The foundational theoretical treatise for all Indian classical dances is the Natyashastra, authored by sage Bharata Muni between 200 BCE and 200 CE.
  • Kuchipudi originated in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, traditionally performed by male Brahmins known as Bhagavathalu, featuring the Tarangam brass plate balance dance.
  • Odissi, depicted in the 2nd-century BCE rock carvings of Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, is distinguished by the unique 'Tribhanga' (three-bend) body posture and 'Chowk' square stance.
  • Mohiniyattam, the 'dance of the enchantress' from Kerala, is performed exclusively by women wearing white or off-white Kasavu sarees with gold brocade borders.
  • Kathak, the classical dance of North India characterized by intricate footwork (Tatkar) and rapid pirouettes (Chakkars), flourished under the patronage of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah in Lucknow.
  • Manipuri dance features the gentle, graceful movements of the Raslila celebrating Radha-Krishna, with dancers wearing the cylindrical stiff skirt known as Kummin (Potloi).
  • Famous folk dances include Garba and Dandiya Raas of Gujarat, Bihu of Assam, Ghoomar and Kalbelia of Rajasthan, Lavani of Maharashtra, and Rouf of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Sattriya dance incorporates two distinct performance styles: Paurashik Bhangi (vigorous masculine style) and Stri Bhangi (graceful feminine style).
  • Bharatanatyam repertoire follows a traditional sequence: Alarippu, Jatiswaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Padam, Tillana, and Mangalam.
  • Kathak dance belongs to three primary stylistic Gharanas: Lucknow (expressive abhinaya), Jaipur (speed and complex footwork), and Banaras (devotional bhav).
  • Kathakali makeup characters are classified by facial color: Paccha (green for noble heroes), Kathi (green with red knives for arrogant characters), and Kari (black for evil figures).
  • Mohiniyattam incorporates musical elements of the Sopana Sangeetam vocal tradition from Kerala temple sanctums.
  • Kuchipudi features the enactment of traditional dance-dramas such as Bhamakalapam composed by Siddhendra Yogi in the 17th century.
  • Manipuri classical dance features the Cholom movements, categorized into Pung Cholom (drum dance) and Kartal Cholom (cymbal dance).
  • Gotipua is a traditional folk dance of Odisha performed by young boys dressed as women, serving as the historical precursor to modern revivalist Odissi.
  • Kalbelia dance, recognized on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010, is performed by the snake charmer community of Rajasthan.
  • Koodiyattam of Kerala, recognized by UNESCO in 2008, is the only surviving Sanskrit theatre tradition performing classical plays inside Koothambalam temple halls.
  • Mudiyettu, an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Kerala, is a ritualistic dance-drama enacting the mythological battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika.
  • Theyyam of northern Kerala is an ancient ritual dance worship form incorporating vibrant headdresses, body painting, and trance invocations of ancestral deities.
  • Yakshagana is a traditional theatre-dance form of coastal Karnataka combining dialogue, elaborate headdresses (Muguda), and high-energy rhythmic leaps.
  • Bhangra and Giddha are energetic harvest dances of Punjab traditionally performed during the spring festival of Baisakhi to the beats of the Dhol.
  • Bharatanatyam is structured around the classical sequence of Alarippu (invocation), Jatiswaram (rhythmic melody), Shabdam (lyrical narrative), Varnam (central centerpiece), Padam (expressive abhinaya), and Tillana (virtuosic finale).
  • E. Krishna Iyer and Rukmini Devi Arundale revived Bharatanatyam from social stigma in the early 20th century, with Rukmini Devi founding the premier Kalakshetra academy at Chennai in 1936.
  • Kathakali makeup (Vesham) uses a strict colour-coded character system: Paccha (green for noble heroes), Kathi (green with red chithikku for proud anti-heroes), Kari (black for wicked demons), and Minukku (warm natural flesh tone for women and sages).
  • Kathak dance is characterized by 'Tatkar' (intricate rhythmic footwork), 'Chakkars' (rapid pirouettes), and 'Padhant' (verbal recitation of rhythmic mnemonic syllables before execution).
  • The Lucknow Gharana of Kathak, developed under the patronage of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh, emphasizes delicate 'Bhava' (expression) and 'Gat Nikas' (graceful gaits).
  • The Jaipur Gharana of Kathak, established by Bhanuji, emphasizes rigorous virtuosity, complex rhythmic permutations ('Layakari'), and high-speed multi-rotation chakkars.
  • Kathak maestro Pandit Birju Maharaj belonged to the Kalka-Bindadin lineage of the Lucknow Gharana and received the Padma Vibhushan in 1986.
  • Kuchipudi originated in Kuchelapuram village in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, developed as a dance-drama tradition by Brahmin male troupes called Bhagavathalu.
  • Siddhendra Yogi composed the foundational Kuchipudi dance-drama 'Bhama Kalapam' in the 14th century, narrating Queen Satyabhama's longing for Lord Krishna.
  • A unique virtuosity display in Kuchipudi is 'Tarangam', wherein the dancer balances deftly on the raised brass rim of a plate while holding a pot of water on the head.
  • Odissi dance is characterized by two fundamental body postures: 'Chowk' (masculine square stance imitating Lord Jagannath) and 'Tribhanga' (feminine three-bend serpentine posture).
  • The Odissi repertoire transitions sequentially from Mangalacharan (prayer), Batu Nrutya (sculptural pure dance), Pallavi (melodic elaboration), Abhinaya (lyric expression), to Moksha (spiritual liberation).
  • Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra played the leading historical role in reconstructing and standardizing Odissi dance after independence, receiving the Padma Vibhushan in 2000.
  • Mohiniyattam, the classical solo female dance of Kerala, is renowned for its lyrical swaying torso movements ('Andolika') and pure white-and-gold bordered 'Kasavu' costume.
  • Vallathol Narayana Menon revived Mohiniyattam and Kathakali by establishing the Kerala Kalamandalam institution on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River at Cheruthuruthy in 1930.
  • Manipuri classical dance features the delicate 'Lasya' movements of Raslila, depicting the eternal love of Radha and Krishna through fluid serpentine body sway without sharp angles.
  • Manipuri dancers wear a distinctive cylindrical stiff skirt called 'Kumil' (or Potloi) decorated with mirrors and embroidery, paired with a sheer veil called 'Inphi'.
  • The classical repertoire of Manipuri dance also encompasses the energetic masculine 'Choloms' (drum and cymbal dances) such as Pung Cholom and Kartal Cholom.
  • Sattriya dance was created in the 15th century CE by the Assamese saint-reformer Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva within monastic institutions known as 'Sattras'.
  • Sattriya incorporates dance-dramas known as 'Ankiya Nats' and was formally recognized as India's eighth classical dance by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in November 2000.
  • Chhau dance, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, exists in three distinct regional styles: Purulia Chhau (West Bengal, using ornate masks), Seraikella Chhau (Jharkhand, using symbolic masks), and Mayurbhanj Chhau (Odisha, performed without masks).
  • Yakshagana is a vibrant traditional folk theatre-dance tradition of coastal Karnataka and Kasaragod in Kerala, combining grand headgear ('Muguda'), vibrant makeup, and Kannada epic dialogues.
  • Koodiyattam of Kerala, performed in temple theatres called 'Koothambalams', is India's oldest surviving Sanskrit theatre tradition and was recognized by UNESCO in 2001.
  • Kalbelia is a sensuous serpent-like folk dance performed by women of the nomadic snake-charmer community of Rajasthan, accompanied by the drone of the 'Poongi'.
  • Ghoomar is the traditional folk dance of the Bhil tribe in Rajasthan, later embraced by Rajput royalty, performed by veiled women pirouetting gracefully in flared skirts.
Curriculum & Reference Sources: Sangeet Natak Akademi Official Archives, NCERT Class XI An Introduction to Indian Art Part I, Kapila Vatsyayan's 'Indian Classical Dance'.

Sample Solved Questions & Concept Explanations

8 Verified Concept Questions
Q1.EASY

Which classical dance form originated in the state of Kerala and is known for elaborate face makeup and costumes?

Q2.EASY

Bharatanatyam is the oldest classical dance tradition of which Indian state?

Q3.EASY

Which classical dance form from Andhra Pradesh is named after a village in Krishna district?

Q4.EASY

The classical dance form 'Kathak' is traditionally associated with which region of India?

Q5.EASY

Which classical dance of Assam was introduced by the 15th-century Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardev?

Q6.EASY

Mohiniyattam is a graceful classical solo dance form originating from which Indian state?

Q7.MEDIUM

Which ancient Sanskrit treatise on theatre, dance, and music was authored by sage Bharata Muni?

Q8.MEDIUM

The Sangeet Natak Akademi officially recognizes how many classical dance forms of India?