Introduction

Introduction to Indian Dance

All eight forms of Indian classical dance

     India has thousands of year old tradition of fine arts and classical and folk music and dances. Dance in India comprises the varied styles of dances in the country. As with other aspects of Indian culture, different forms of dances originated in different parts of India, developed according to the local traditions and also imbibed elements from other parts of the country. The national academy for performing arts, recognizes eight distinctive traditional dances as Indian classical dances, which might have origin in religious activities. Some of the world-famous dance forms that originated and evolved in India are Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Sattriya. All these dance forms use basically the same 'mudras' or signs of hand as a common language of expression and were originally performed in the temples to entertain various Gods and Goddesses. They were also effective in carrying forward the various mythological stories from generation to generation while entertaining the audiences. 

It eventually became a part of 'Natya Shashtra', as propounded by Sage Bharata to compile and forge some rules and regulations of entertaining arts. With time, the classical dances evolved to include the expressions and themes from social life and experiences. Lord Shiva is said to be the 'Nataraja' meaning 'King of All Dances', who is said to perform the Cosmic Dance that delicately balances life and death and all that is happening in the Universe in harmonious cycles.

Origin of Indian Dance

In Hindu scriptures, dance is believed to have been conceived by Brahma. Brahma inspired the sage Bharata Muni to write the "Natya Shastra", a treatise on performing arts, from which a codified practice of dance and drama emerged. He used "pathya" (words) from the Rigveda, "abhinaya" (gestures) from the Yajurveda, "geet" (music) from the Samaveda and "rasa" (emotions) from the Atharvaveda to form the "Natyaveda" (body of knowledge about dance). The best-known of Hindu deities—Shiva, Kali and Krishna—are typically represented dancing.

Shiva as Nataraja is worshiped as God of dance in Hinduism.

In ancient India, there were no dedicated auditorium halls or theaters, and dance was usually a functional activity dedicated to worship, entertainment or leisure. Dancers usually performed in temples, on festive occasions and seasonal harvests. Dance was performed on a regular basis before deities as a form of worship. Even in modern India, deities are invoked through religious folk dance forms from ancient times. Classical dance forms such as Bharata Natyam use mudras or hand gestures also to retell episodes of mythological tales such as the slaying of Kaliya by Krishna.

Gradually dancers, particularly from South India, moved from temples to houses of royal families where they performed exclusively for royalty. India offers a number of classical Indian dance forms, each of which can be traced to different parts of the country. Classical and folk dance forms also emerged from Indian traditions, epics and mythology. There are many Indian folk dances such as Bhangra, Bihu, Ghumura Dance, Sambalpuri, Chhau and Garba and special dances observed in regional festivals such as Lohri and Navratri.

The presentation of Indian dance styles in film, Hindi Cinema, has exposed the range of dance in India to a global audience.