Classical and Folk Dances

The Cultural Heritage: Classical & Folk Dances of India

Introduction to Indian Dance

• Tandava: Represents the vigorous, masculine, and aggressive aspect (associated with Lord Shiva).
• Lasya: Represents the graceful, feminine, and tender aspect (associated with Goddess Parvati).

1. Nritta: Pure dance steps without any specific mood or meaning (purely aesthetic/rhythmic).
2. Natya: Dramatic representation or storytelling with speech and acting.
3. Nritya: The medium of expression (Abhinaya) using facial expressions (Mudras) and body language to convey a specific theme.

The Nine Rasas (Emotions)

1. The Eight Classical Dances of India

1. Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu)

• Origin: Temples of Tamil Nadu. Initially performed by Devadasis (temple dancers) and was known as Sadir or Dasi Attam. Revived by Rukmini Devi Arundale and E. Krishna Iyer.
• Features: Emphasizes Tandava and Lasya equally. Highly symmetrical. Uses EkAharya (a single dancer plays multiple roles).
• Stance: The characteristic half-sitting bent-knee posture is called Aramandi.
• Music: Carnatic music.

2. Kathak (North India - UP/Rajasthan)

• Origin: Derived from Katha (story). Traced back to wandering bards called Kathakars. It flourished under the patronage of Mughal courts and Nawabs of Oudh (Wajid Ali Shah).
• Features: Represents a profound synthesis of Hindu (Radha-Krishna themes) and Muslim (Persian aesthetic) cultures.
• Technique: Famous for lightning-fast footwork (Tatkar), spectacular spins/pirouettes (Chakkars), and straight-legged postures. Unlike other dances, the knees are not bent.
• Gharanas (Schools): Lucknow, Jaipur, Benares.

3. Kathakali (Kerala)

• Origin: Derives from Ramanattam and Krishnattam. Traditionally performed in temples exclusively by men (even female roles).
• Features: A grand "story play." It uses massive headdresses and extremely elaborate facial makeup to denote character types:
  • Pacha (Green): Noble characters (Gods, Heroes like Rama).
  • Kathi (Red/Green): Royalty with evil streaks (Ravana).
  • Kari (Black): Absolute evil/demons.
• Theme: Epic battles from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. There is no dialogue throughout the performance; it relies entirely on mudras and facial expressions against heavy drum beats.

4. Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh)

• Origin: Named after the village of Kuchelapuram in AP. Historically performed universally by male Brahmins (Bhagavathalu). Revived by Siddhendra Yogi.
• Features: It is a dance-drama that involves acting, dancing, and even singing by the dancer. Fluid and graceful.
• Key Element: The Tarangam — the climax where the dancer balances on the sharp edges of a brass plate, often moving to complex rhythms with a pot of water on their head.

5. Odissi (Odisha)

• Origin: Temples of Odisha (associated with the Devadasi/Mahari tradition). Supported by Jain King Kharavela.
• Features: Sensuous, lyrical, and incredibly graceful. Closely connected to the Jagannath cult.
• Stance: The defining posture is the Tribhanga (the asymmetrical three-part bend of the head, torso, and hips) and Chowk (a wide-legged, square stance symbolizing Lord Jagannath).

6. Manipuri (Manipur)

• Origin: Rooted in the Lai Haraoba festival. Popularized by Rabindranath Tagore globally.
• Features: Uniquely devoted to Vaishnavism (Ras Leela). Focuses heavily on Lasya (grace). Movements are fluid, curvy, and continuous without jerks or sharp edges.
• Costume & Props: Females wear a stiff, barrel-shaped skirt (Potloi). Dancers do not wear ankle bells (Ghungroos); hence, footwork is silent. Accompanied by the Pung drum.

7. Mohiniyattam (Kerala)

• Origin: Lit. "Dance of the Enchantress." Refers to Lord Vishnu taking the female form of Mohini.
• Features: Exclusively a solo female dance. Deeply emphasizes Lasya (feminine grace). The movements resemble the gentle swaying of palm leaves in the breeze.
• Costume: Distinctive white/off-white sari with rich gold brocade borders (Kasavu).

8. Sattriya (Assam)

• Origin: Introduced in the 15th century by the great Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva as a medium to preach the Bhakti movement.
• Features: Traditionally performed in monasteries called Sattras by male monks (Bhokots). Strictly mythological and devotional in nature.

2. Prominent Folk and Tribal Dances of India

Northern & Central India

• Bhangra & Giddha (Punjab): Exuberant harvest dances. Bhangra is generally performed by men, Giddha by women.
• Rauf (Jammu & Kashmir): Traditional rhythmic dance performed by women during spring/harvest.
• Charkula (Uttar Pradesh): Veiled women dance with multi-tiered wooden pyramids containing 108 oil lamps on their heads.
• Raut Nacha / Panthi (Chhattisgarh): Raut Nacha is performed by the Yadava community primarily during Diwali in honor of Lord Krishna.
• Matki (Madhya Pradesh): Solo dance by nomadic tribes involving balancing multiple pots on the head.

Western India

• Garba & Dandiya Raas (Gujarat): Circular group dances performed to honor Goddess Durga during Navaratri.
• Kalbelia (Rajasthan): The "Snake Charmer's Dance", performed by women in flowing black skirts mimicking serpent movements. Recognized in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
• Ghoomar (Rajasthan): Royal Rajput dance by veiled women in flowing dresses called ghagharas.
• Tarangamel (Goa): Youth dance during Dussehra/Holi.

Eastern & Northeast India

• Chhau (Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal): A formidable martial/tribal dance. Uses elaborate masks (Seraikela and Purulia Chhau) except in the Mayurbhanj style. Known for aggressive martial movements.
• Bihu (Assam): Joyous, fast-paced dance performed by young men and women during the Assamese New Year (spring).
• Jat-Jatin (Bihar): Tells the story of lovers Jat and Jatin, dealing with droughts and poverty.
• Hojagiri (Tripura): Reang tribal community. Dancers balance a bottle on the head and a lamp on the hand while manipulating their lower body.
• Cheraw (Mizoram): The famous "Bamboo Dance" where dancers step in and out of clapping bamboo staves.

Southern India

• Yakshagana (Karnataka): A massive theater/dance-drama with elaborate costumes depicting epics, performed from dusk to dawn.
• Karakattam (Tamil Nadu): Balancing a pot (karakam) on the head.
• Theyyam (Kerala): An ancient ritualistic dance invoking deities/spirits.