The Indians have created various dance forms to celebrate occasions, express joy and above all as a means of worshiping their gods and goddesses. The famous Ajanta and Ellora caves and several other monuments reflect this culture with the sculptures inscribed in the walls. God Nataraja is the god of dance whose sculptures depicts him dancing and having triumph over the evil. There exists a huge variety of different dance forms in India depending on geographic location and socio-economical condition of carious states and regions.
Bharata Natyam flourished inside the royal courts and temples of ancient India. Finally inside 19th century it was codified and certified as performing arts. The Tanjore Quartet developed a great contribution to this dance form start by making great musical compositions. Bharata Natyam seemed to be practiced by Devadasi who were females who dedicated their life towards the temple and used to dance to impress god and goddesses included in religious rituals. Bharata Natyam gives a chance of both the male and female to bring out their talents as dancers. As time passed by people began recognizing the talent and presenting it with a bigger platform. Rukmini Devi Arundale and E Krishna Iyer were the prominent figures who were responsible in the upbringing with this classical art. Many universities award degree in graduation and post graduation in Bharata Natyam. The field is very elaborate because of the wide extent to move, postures, facial expressions and stylized mime.
Kathak is the form of dance nurtured from the nomads of the northern India. The saying "Kathak" means story teller as its performer depicts the story plot with the help of facial expressions and hand gestures. Dancers wear bells or "Ghungru" on his or her feet and with their footwork used to synchronize with the accompanying Indian classical instruments including Pakhawaj or Tabla at a lightning speed. The shows were hosted in temple and village squares. The themes of the dances were stories from moral and mythological epics. Song and instrumental music included with the realistic illusion in the story. During the Mogul era this form of art gained recognition and dancers were motivated to perform in royal palaces. To thrill the art loving rulers more effort was devote to refine the art plus more dramatic aspects and rhythms were added. Banaras, Jaipur and Luckhnow would be the breeding grounds of this refined art.
Kuchipudi nourished in the village Kuchelapuram of the state of Andhra Pradesh which is located in the South. This dance form is renowned for its fast footwork and "sculpturesque" body gyrations. It can be one kind of dance form the place that the dancer speaks some dialogues and also at other times uses facial expressions and hand gestures.
Being honored by UNESCO because the "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" Koodiyattam may be the oldest form of Indian Classical dance. It is the traditional dance of the Sanskrit theater of Kerala. The prominent Sanskrit dramatists who dedicated their life to the art form are Bhasa, Kalidaas, Harsha,and Saktibhadra. The attire of the artist is really attractive and outstanding. They stick on artificial beard and huge hips and the makeup, too, which is very loud and the whole face is painted.
Probably the most graceful dance form of India is Manipuri. It flourished inside northeastern state of India, Manipur meaning a jewel of the land. As outlined by folklore the gods emptied a lake to generate a place to dance and due to this Manipuri dance has become an integral part of the morning to day life as well as important occasions like birthdays, wedding, and holy ceremonies. The dancers wear long flared skirts with beautiful embellishments as well as the main lead who enacts the role of God Krishna wears tall peacock crown playing a flute to whose tune the gorgeous girls dance gracefully. Another version with this art form involves Pung Cholam or drum dance, where dancers dance for the tune of drums or pung with fast gyrations taking thrilling leaps.
Odissi started in Orissa, a state geographically located in the middle of India. Both important facets of this dance form are Abhinaya, a stylized mime involving facial expressions and hand gestures and also the other is Nritta or non-representational dance, where ornamental patters are depicted while using body movements.
India is a rich country in heritage and culture. Aside from the above mentioned variety of theater arts, the rest are Chhau, Kathakali, Mohiniattam, and Satriya. Along with these dance forms instruments for example Flute, Pakhawaj, Sitar, Santoor, Sarangi, Sarod, Shehnai, Tabla, and Vina have been deployed to arrive at great heights of perfection.
Bharata Natyam flourished inside the royal courts and temples of ancient India. Finally inside 19th century it was codified and certified as performing arts. The Tanjore Quartet developed a great contribution to this dance form start by making great musical compositions. Bharata Natyam seemed to be practiced by Devadasi who were females who dedicated their life towards the temple and used to dance to impress god and goddesses included in religious rituals. Bharata Natyam gives a chance of both the male and female to bring out their talents as dancers. As time passed by people began recognizing the talent and presenting it with a bigger platform. Rukmini Devi Arundale and E Krishna Iyer were the prominent figures who were responsible in the upbringing with this classical art. Many universities award degree in graduation and post graduation in Bharata Natyam. The field is very elaborate because of the wide extent to move, postures, facial expressions and stylized mime.
Kathak is the form of dance nurtured from the nomads of the northern India. The saying "Kathak" means story teller as its performer depicts the story plot with the help of facial expressions and hand gestures. Dancers wear bells or "Ghungru" on his or her feet and with their footwork used to synchronize with the accompanying Indian classical instruments including Pakhawaj or Tabla at a lightning speed. The shows were hosted in temple and village squares. The themes of the dances were stories from moral and mythological epics. Song and instrumental music included with the realistic illusion in the story. During the Mogul era this form of art gained recognition and dancers were motivated to perform in royal palaces. To thrill the art loving rulers more effort was devote to refine the art plus more dramatic aspects and rhythms were added. Banaras, Jaipur and Luckhnow would be the breeding grounds of this refined art.
Kuchipudi nourished in the village Kuchelapuram of the state of Andhra Pradesh which is located in the South. This dance form is renowned for its fast footwork and "sculpturesque" body gyrations. It can be one kind of dance form the place that the dancer speaks some dialogues and also at other times uses facial expressions and hand gestures.
Being honored by UNESCO because the "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" Koodiyattam may be the oldest form of Indian Classical dance. It is the traditional dance of the Sanskrit theater of Kerala. The prominent Sanskrit dramatists who dedicated their life to the art form are Bhasa, Kalidaas, Harsha,and Saktibhadra. The attire of the artist is really attractive and outstanding. They stick on artificial beard and huge hips and the makeup, too, which is very loud and the whole face is painted.
Probably the most graceful dance form of India is Manipuri. It flourished inside northeastern state of India, Manipur meaning a jewel of the land. As outlined by folklore the gods emptied a lake to generate a place to dance and due to this Manipuri dance has become an integral part of the morning to day life as well as important occasions like birthdays, wedding, and holy ceremonies. The dancers wear long flared skirts with beautiful embellishments as well as the main lead who enacts the role of God Krishna wears tall peacock crown playing a flute to whose tune the gorgeous girls dance gracefully. Another version with this art form involves Pung Cholam or drum dance, where dancers dance for the tune of drums or pung with fast gyrations taking thrilling leaps.
Odissi started in Orissa, a state geographically located in the middle of India. Both important facets of this dance form are Abhinaya, a stylized mime involving facial expressions and hand gestures and also the other is Nritta or non-representational dance, where ornamental patters are depicted while using body movements.
India is a rich country in heritage and culture. Aside from the above mentioned variety of theater arts, the rest are Chhau, Kathakali, Mohiniattam, and Satriya. Along with these dance forms instruments for example Flute, Pakhawaj, Sitar, Santoor, Sarangi, Sarod, Shehnai, Tabla, and Vina have been deployed to arrive at great heights of perfection.