Classical Dances of India

Radha Prasad Varadan

Types of Classical Dances

Bharatanatyam
Kathak
Kathakali
Odissi
Kuchipudi
Manipuri
Mohiniattam
Sattriya

Bharatanatyam

Comes from the words

Bhava (expression), Raga (music), Tala (rhythm)
and Natya (classical theater)

Originates in South India

Performance
Consists of multiple items
Nritta pure dance movements
Abhinaya dramatic art of storytelling
Nritya combination of nritta & abhinaya

Music- Carnatic music

Bharatanatyam

Costume
Made of silk saris with gold
embroidery
Costume has a lot of pleats

Jewelry
Necklace, Bangles and head
ornaments

Bells mounted on woven pads are

worn on the feet

Bharatanatyam
Famous Exponents

Yamini Krishnamurthy

Rukmini Devi

Kathak

Derived from Katha (story) and Katthaka (who

tells stories)

Originates from North India.

3 main gharanas or schools:

Lucknow, Jaipur & Benares

Performance
Progresses from slow to fast pieces
Footwork & spins
Abhinaya-expression

Music Hindusthani music

Provided by Tabla, Sitar, Santoor

Kathak
Costume

Ghungroos or bells on
the ankles
Female- lehenga choli
or chudidaar kameez
Male- bare chest and
dhoti or kurta churidar

Kathak
Famous Exponents

Birju Maharaj

Kumudini Lakhia

Kathakali

Originates from Kerala state

Attractive make-up of characters

and elaborate costumes

Performance
Combination of 5 elementsNatyam (expression), Nritham
(dance), Nrithyam (enactment),
Geetham (vocal) and Vadyam
(instruments)

Music- Carnatic music

language of songs -Manipravalam

Kathakali

Elaborate makeup
Green face color- noble characters
(Pacha)
Green with red streaks- characters
with evil streaks
Red face color- excessively evil
characters
Women have yellow face color

Costume
Elaborate and differ according to
character

Pacha

Kathakali
Famous Exponents

Kalamandalam Sivadas

Pariyanampatta Divakaran

Odissi

Originates from Orissa

Schools of Odissi
Mahari, Nartaki & Gotipua

Main EmphasisTribhangi- independent movement

of head, chest and pelvis
Chauka- basic square stance

Music Odissi music

Odissi

CostumeSari- beautiful cloth wrapped around body in

traditional style
Bright shades of orange, purple, red or green

Jewelry
Tikka (forehead ornament)
Allaka (headpiece where tikka hangs)
Ear covers in intricate shapes with jumkis
(bell shaped earrings) hanging from them
Chains
Two sets of bangles (thin bracelets) worn on
upper arm & wrist.

Odissi
Famous Exponents

Sanjukta Panigrahi

Kelucharan Mohapatra

Kuchipudi

Originates from Andhra Pradesh state in

South India

Shares many common elements with

Bharatanatyam

Unique Kuchipudi danceTarangam- dancer dances on plate with

diyas in the hands and vessel of water
on the head

Music- Carnatic music

Kuchipudi

Costume
Similar to Bharatanatyam
Katcham (long fold) at the back of
the costume

Jewelry
Female characters wear ornaments
and jewelry

Kuchipudi
(Famous Exponents)

Dr. Vempatti Chinnasatyam

Raja and Radha Reddy

Manipuri

Originates from Manipur state

Performance
Movements are subtle and aim at
devotion and grace
Rounded movements without jerks and
sharp lines
Dancers feet never strike the ground
hard

Music provided by singer, Pung

(drum), cymbals and flute

Manipuri

Costume
Female- dress called patloi
and lehenga called kumin.
Transparent odni is worn on
the head and covers the face
Male- usually saffron dress
depicting Lord Krishna

Dancers do not wear ankle

bells

Manipuri
(Famous Exponents)

Darshana Jhaveri

Kalavati Devi

Mohiniattam

Comes from the wordsMohini- temptress and

Attam- dance

Graceful dance performed only by

women
Influences from Bharatanatyam
and Kathakali

Music
Vocal (called chollu), Veena, flute,
Maddalam & Idakka

Mohiniattam

Characterized by realistic makeup and

simple dressing

Costume
White or cream sari with gold border
Costume is profusely pleated

Jewelry
Mainly gold ornaments

Mohiniattam
(Famous Exponents)

Gopika Varma

Neena Prasad

Sattriya
Originates

in Assam state

Performance

Based on mythological stories

Performed by men and women
Recognized

as one of the classical

dance forms of India in 2000

Sattriya
Music

Devotional songs called borgeets

Instruments- khols (drums), taals
(cymbals) and flute
Costume

Made of pat (type of silk)

Ornaments are based on traditional
Assamese designs