Classical Dances of India
Radha Prasad Varadan
Types of Classical Dances
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Bharatanatyam
Kathak
Kathakali
Odissi
Kuchipudi
Manipuri
Mohiniattam
Sattriya
Bharatanatyam
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Comes from the words
Bhava (expression), Raga (music), Tala
(rhythm) and Natya (classical theater)
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Originates in South India
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Performance
Consists of multiple items
Nritta– pure dance movements
Abhinaya– dramatic art of storytelling
Nritya– combination of nritta & abhinaya
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Music- Carnatic music
Bharatanatyam
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Costume
Made of silk saris with gold
embroidery
Costume has a lot of pleats
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Jewelry
Necklace, Bangles and head
ornaments
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Bells mounted on woven pads are
worn on the feet
Bharatanatyam
Famous Exponents
Yamini Krishnamurthy
Rukmini Devi
Kathak
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Derived from Katha (story) and
Katthaka (who tells stories)
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Originates from North India.
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3 main gharanas or schools:
Lucknow, Jaipur & Benares
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Performance
Progresses from slow to fast pieces
Footwork & spins
Abhinaya-expression
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Music – Hindusthani music
Provided by Tabla, Sitar, Santoor
Kathak
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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
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Originates from Kerala state
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Attractive make-up of characters
and elaborate costumes
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Performance
Combination of 5 elementsNatyam (expression), Nritham
(dance), Nrithyam (enactment),
Geetham (vocal) and Vadyam
(instruments)
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Music- Carnatic music
language of songs -Manipravalam
Kathakali
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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
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Costume
Elaborate and differ according to
character
Pacha
Kathakali
Famous Exponents
Kalamandalam Sivadas
Pariyanampatta Divakaran
Odissi
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Originates from Orissa
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Schools of Odissi
Mahari, Nartaki & Gotipua
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Main EmphasisTribhangi- independent movement
of head, chest and pelvis
Chauka- basic square stance
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Music – Odissi music
Odissi
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CostumeSari- beautiful cloth wrapped around body in
traditional style
Bright shades of orange, purple, red or green
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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
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Originates from Andhra Pradesh state in
South India
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Shares many common elements with
Bharatanatyam
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Unique Kuchipudi danceTarangam- dancer dances on plate with
diyas in the hands and vessel of water
on the head
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Music- Carnatic music
Kuchipudi
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Costume
Similar to Bharatanatyam
‘Katcham’ (long fold) at the back of
the costume
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Jewelry
Female characters wear ornaments
and jewelry
Kuchipudi
(Famous Exponents)
Dr. Vempatti Chinnasatyam
Raja and Radha Reddy
Manipuri
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Originates from Manipur state
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Performance
Movements are subtle and aim at
devotion and grace
Rounded movements without jerks and
sharp lines
Dancers feet never strike the ground
hard
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Music provided by singer, ‘Pung’
(drum), cymbals and flute
Manipuri
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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
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Dancers do not wear ankle
bells
Manipuri
(Famous Exponents)
Darshana Jhaveri
Kalavati Devi
Mohiniattam
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Comes from the wordsMohini- temptress and
Attam- dance
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Graceful dance performed only by
women
Influences from Bharatanatyam
and Kathakali
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Music
Vocal (called chollu), Veena, flute,
Maddalam & Idakka
Mohiniattam
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Characterized by realistic makeup and
simple dressing
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Costume
White or cream sari with gold border
Costume is profusely pleated
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Jewelry
Mainly gold ornaments
Mohiniattam
(Famous Exponents)
Gopika Varma
Neena Prasad
Sattriya
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Originates in Assam state
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Performance
Based on mythological stories
Performed by men and women
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Recognized as one of the classical
dance forms of India in 2000
Sattriya
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Music
Devotional songs called borgeets
Instruments- khols (drums), taals
(cymbals) and flute
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Costume
Made of pat (type of silk)
Ornaments are based on traditional
Assamese designs