Dances in India
With great diversity in India’s culture and religion, it has different types of people having different types of tastes, fashions and ideologies. But, dancing in India has its great importance and people here are well inclined to their cultural activities and dance is one of them. The most popular dances in India are classical dances and the famous classical dances are:
- Kathakali & Mohini Attam: Both of these dance forms are from Kerala. Kathakali literally means story-play and is an elaborate dance depicting the victory of truth over falsehood. This form of dance needs elaborate make up & colorful costumes. The theme of Mohini Attam dance is love & devotion to god often being God Vishnu or Krishna as hero of the theme.
- Bharata Natyam: This form of dance, originated in Tamil Nadu, has been handed down by dance teachers to the next generation and the training usually takes seven years to complete. The music of Bharatanatyam is based on Carnatic classical music. The chief musical instruments in Bharata Natyam are the ‘Mridangam’ and a pair of cymbals. Sometimes Veena, Violin, Ghatam and Flute are also used.
- Kuchipudi: Andhra Pradesh is the origin of Kuchipudi dance and it is also known as Bhagavata Mela Nataka. The actors sing and dance, and the style is a blend of folk and classical. This form of dance has been performed as an offering to the temples.
- Kathak: Originated in Uttar Pradesh, this north Indian dance form is bound with classical Hindustani Music and rhythmic agility of feet is accompanied by the table. Earlier the main theme of this dance was Radha & Krishna, but after the dance was taken to Muslim courts and became less religious but more entertaining.
- Manipuri: As the name of this dance resembles, it originated from Manipur and originally called jogai which means circular movement. This classical dance is the most ancient dance of Manipur.