Dances of India  
A World of Expressions

There are six main forms of classical dance in India namely Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, Mohiniattam and Kuchipudi.

Bharatanatyam

Tamil Nadu's own unique performing art is believed to be India's oldest form of classical dance. In Bharatanatyam, the dancer is a devotee who has been separated from her object of devotion (God). In her yearning for him, she expresses all the emotions of a tragic heroine yearning for her lover. Bharatanatyam is performed commonly by women in a solo performance. Performers require at least seven years of dedicated training to become proficient in the gestures and poses of the dance. The three main components of the dance which also make up its name are Bha - Bhav or emotion, Ra - Rag or melody and Ta - Tal or rhythm.

Kathak

Kathak is the world famous north Indian dance form. Kathak literally means to tell a story (Katha). Traditionally the stories were of Radha and Krishna but the dance was taken to Muslim courts during the Mogul invasion and thus became more entertaining and less religious in content. More emphasis was laid on the pure dance aspect than on the expression and emotion. 

Kathakali

Kerala's colorful and theatrical dance form has more than a hundred different arrangements of plays, all of them based on stories of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Only men can become Kathakali dancers and their make-up is striking with the use of bold colors to paint the faces and expressions. Characters portraying noble, divine, heroic, wicked, evil, demonic, wild, primitive, pure, humble and spiritual qualities are differentiated by the spectacular make-up.

Manipuri

Manipuri dance was traditionally called jogai, which means circular movement. In ancient texts it has been compared to the movement of the planets around the sun. This dance has a very fluid style with smooth movements. The dancers wear beautiful costumes and there is always a dancer who plays the part of Krishna. The music is indigenous and uses various instruments. 

Mohiniattam

Mohiniattam from Kerala is perhaps one of the most graceful dances that exclusively identifies the green environment of the state with its gentle movements like swaying of palm trees and calm ocean waters. The word Mohini means a maiden who charms the onlooker and attam means dance. This dance is performed only by women. 

Kuchipudi

From Andhra Pradesh this dance drama still exists today and can most closely be associated with the Sanskrit theatrical tradition. The actors sing and dance, and the style is a blend of folk and classical that provides greater freedom of movement that other classical dance forms.

One integral part of all classical dances in India is Abhinaya or the art of expressions. Abhinaya consists of four parts namely Angika or physical movements of every part of the body to convey a meaning, Vachikabhinaya or vocals used formally by the members of the orchestra or the non-dancing cast, Aharyabhinaya or external moods conveyed by the costume, make-up, sets and accessories and Satvikabhinaya or psychological feelings portrayed by the eyes and the entire being of the performer who feels the mood, the character and the emotion that flows from the natural self.

In addition, the Nav-Rasas, or nine emotions, give all dances a completeness that allows the dancer and the audience to experience the full beauty and meaning of the lyrics and the movements that portray them. These emotions of happiness, anger, disgust, fear, sorrow, courage, compassion, wonder and serenity are expressed in the eyes, the face, the subtle muscle shifts and the in the body as a whole.

Indian Classical Dance is a remarkable world of expressions that takes the dancer and the audience in its own realm. It is a reality, that only the dancer and the audiences know. Here is a realm where boundaries, walls, floor and ceiling cease to exist, leaving only space, time and music to remain.   

 – Bijal Dwivedi
March 10, 2001

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