Classical Dances of IndiaClassical Dances of India

Radha Prasad Varadan

Types of Classical DancesTypes of Classical Dances

Bharatanatyam Kathak Kathakali Odissi Kuchipudi Manipuri Mohiniattam Sattriya

BharatanatyamBharatanatyam Comes from the words

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

Originates in South India

PerformanceConsists of multiple itemsNritta– pure dance movementsAbhinaya– dramatic art of storytelling Nritya– combination of nritta & abhinaya

Music- Carnatic music

Bharatanatyam Bharatanatyam Costume

Made of silk saris with gold embroideryCostume has a lot of pleats

JewelryNecklace, Bangles and head ornaments

Bells mounted on woven pads are worn on the feet

Bharatanatyam Bharatanatyam Famous ExponentsFamous Exponents

Yamini Krishnamurthy Rukmini Devi

Kathak 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 piecesFootwork & spins Abhinaya-expression

Music – Hindusthani musicProvided by Tabla, Sitar, Santoor

KathakKathak Costume

Ghungroos or bells on the ankles

Female- lehenga choli or chudidaar kameez

Male- bare chest and dhoti or kurta churidar

KathakKathakFamous ExponentsFamous Exponents

Birju Maharaj Kumudini Lakhia

Kathakali Kathakali Originates from Kerala state

Attractive make-up of characters and elaborate costumes

PerformanceCombination of 5 elements-Natyam (expression), Nritham (dance), Nrithyam (enactment), Geetham (vocal) and Vadyam (instruments)

Music- Carnatic musiclanguage of songs -Manipravalam

Kathakali Kathakali Elaborate makeup

Green face color- noble characters (Pacha)Green with red streaks- characters with evil streaksRed face color- excessively evil charactersWomen have yellow face color

CostumeElaborate and differ according to character

Pacha

KathakaliKathakaliFamous Exponents Famous Exponents

Kalamandalam Sivadas Pariyanampatta Divakaran

Odissi Odissi Originates from Orissa

Schools of Odissi Mahari, Nartaki & Gotipua Main Emphasis-

Tribhangi- independent movement of head, chest and pelvisChauka- basic square stance

Music – Odissi music

Odissi Odissi Costume-

Sari- 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 themChainsTwo sets of bangles (thin bracelets) worn on upper arm & wrist.

Odissi Odissi Famous ExponentsFamous Exponents

Sanjukta Panigrahi Kelucharan Mohapatra

KuchipudiKuchipudi Originates from Andhra Pradesh state in

South India

Shares many common elements with Bharatanatyam

Unique Kuchipudi dance-Tarangam- dancer dances on plate with diyas in the hands and vessel of water on the head

Music- Carnatic music

Kuchipudi Kuchipudi Costume

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

JewelryFemale characters wear ornaments and jewelry

Kuchipudi Kuchipudi (Famous Exponents)(Famous Exponents)

Raja and Radha ReddyDr. Vempatti Chinnasatyam

Manipuri Manipuri Originates from Manipur state Performance

Movements are subtle and aim at devotion and graceRounded movements without jerks and sharp linesDancers feet never strike the ground hard

Music provided by singer, ‘Pung’ (drum), cymbals and flute

Manipuri 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

ManipuriManipuri(Famous Exponents)(Famous Exponents)

Kalavati Devi Darshana Jhaveri

MohiniattamMohiniattam Comes from the words-

Mohini- temptress andAttam- dance

Graceful dance performed only by women

Influences from Bharatanatyam and Kathakali

MusicVocal (called chollu), Veena, flute, Maddalam & Idakka

Mohiniattam Mohiniattam Characterized by realistic makeup and

simple dressing

CostumeWhite or cream sari with gold borderCostume is profusely pleated

JewelryMainly gold ornaments

Mohiniattam Mohiniattam (Famous Exponents)(Famous Exponents)

Neena Prasad Gopika Varma

SattriyaSattriya Originates in Assam state

PerformanceBased on mythological storiesPerformed by men and women

Recognized as one of the classical dance forms of India in 2000

SattriyaSattriya Music

Devotional songs called borgeetsInstruments- khols (drums), taals (cymbals) and flute

CostumeMade of pat (type of silk)Ornaments are based on traditional Assamese designs