Comprehensive Guide to Indian Classical Dance Forms

Fundamental Classification of Indian Classical Dance

Indian dance forms are fundamentally categorized into two distinct types. Classical Dance Forms are characterized by specific, regimented steps that must be performed during particular events, predominantly within temple settings. In contrast, Folk Dance Forms do not have defined steps and are generally performed as part of specific community rituals. The Sangeet Natak Academi, headquartered in New Delhi, officially recognizes $8$ classical dances. However, the Ministry of Culture recognizes $9$ classical dances, adding Chhau to the list of eight. The origin of these forms is rooted in the Natya Shastra, which is often referred to as the "Fifth Veda" and was authored by Bharat Muni. Another foundational text is the Abhinaya Darpana by Nandikeshvara, which describes various expressions, movements, and gestures. Classical dance is further bifurcated into Nritta, which is the pure form of dance, and Nritya, which is the expressive form combining pure dance with emotive expression. These dances are categorized based on their devotional focus: Shaivite dances are dedicated to Lord Shiva and represent the masculine principle, while Vaishnavite dances are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and represent the feminine principle.

Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu)

Bharatanatyam is recognized as the oldest classical dance form in India. It is historically performed as a solo dance, a format known as Ekaharya. Throughout history, it has been referred to by several names, including Sadirattam, Thevarattam, and Parathaiyar Attam. It was also known as Dasiattam because it was traditionally performed in temples by Devadasis (female dancers). The last surviving devadasi is noted as R. Muthukannammal. This dance form is symbolically associated with the element of Fire. It is detailed in the Natya Shastra and is closely associated with the Kalakshetra style. Although banned by the British in $1910$, it was later revived by E. Krishna Iyer and Rukmini Devi Arundale, who renamed the dance from Sadirattam to Bharatanatyam. Literary references to the dance appear in the Tamil texts Cilappatikaram by Ilango Adigal and Manimegalai by Chithalai Chathanar. The main mudra used is the Kataka Mukha Hasta. Traditionally, certain families from the Tanjore district performed the dance, and these inheritors were known as 'Nattuvanar'. The major performance styles include Pandanallur, Vazhuvoor, Kalakshetra, Melattur, and Tanjore. The performance progresses through specific movements or stages: Alarippu (offering of flowers), Jatiswaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Padam, Tillana, and concludes with Mangalam. It also features Lasya (the feminine aspect) and Tandava (the masculine aspect). A notable sculptural reference is found in the $108$ poses of Bharatanatyam carved into the Gopurams of the Chidambaram Temple.

Prominent exponents include Alarmel Valli (associated with the Pandanallur style and Odissi), Rukmini Devi Arundale (the first woman nominated to the Rajya Sabha and founder of Kalakshetra Dance School in $1936$; received Padma Bhushan in $1956$), Padma Subrmanyam, Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Mallika Sarabhai, Bala Saraswati, Yamini Krishnamurthy (bestowed with the title "Asthana Narthaki" by the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam; recipient of Padma Vibhushan in $2016$, Padma Bhushan in $2001$, and Padma Shri in $1968$), Leela Samson, Shanta Dhananjayan, V P Dhananjayan, and Sonal Mansingh. Sonal Mansingh is notable as the youngest recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, awarded in $2003$. Other exponents include Rama Vaidyanathan, Meenakshi Chittaranjan, Narthaki Nataraj, Urmila Satyanarayanan, M K Saroja, Radha Sridhar, Deepak Mazumdar, and CV Chandrashekhar.

Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh)

Kuchipudi was earlier known as Bhagavata Mela Dance in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu. Its modern form is attributed to Tirtha Narayanayati and Siddhendra Yogi, who developed it as a dance-drama titled Bhama Kalpam, which tells the story of Satyabhama, the charming but jealous wife of Lord Krishna. The dance symbolizes the element of Earth. Performance elements include Ganesha Vandana, Jatiswaram, Shabdam, Kalapam, Padam, and Tarangam. Tarangam is the concluding portion where the dancer performs on the rim of a brass plate. Historically, Kuchipudi was performed by Brahmin boys. In earlier times, the related form Yakshagana was performed in Andhra Pradesh, often lasting from dusk until dawn. A key text for this dance is the Sri Krishna Leela Tarangini authored by Narayan Teertha.

Exponents of Kuchipudi often share the surname Reddy, including Raja Reddy, Radha Reddy, Padmaja Reddy, Bhavana Reddy, and Yamini Reddy. Other famous performers include Yamini Krishnamurthy, Mallika Sarabhai, Vempati Chinna Satyam, Aparna Satisham, Lakshmi Narayan Shastri, Vedantam Satyanarayan (Padma Shri awardee), Swapna Sundari, Shobha Naidu, and Halim Khan.

Odissi (Odisha)

Odissi dance symbolizes the element of Water. Its precursor is the Gotipua, a traditional dance form of Odisha originally performed by Maharis (female temple dancers). Today, young boys perform Gotipua in the style of the Maharis. The "Adiguru" of Odissi is Pankaj Charan Das, and Kelucharan Mohapatra is considered the father of Odissi who popularized the dance globally (recipient of Padma Vibhushan in $2000$). Performance elements include Mangalacharan, Batu Nritya, Pallavi, Tharijham, and Moksha. Protima Gauri founded the institution Nrityagram (a dance village in Karnataka) to popularize the form.

Exponents include members of the Mohapatra family (Kelucharan, Sujata) and the Mohanty family (Leela, Niharika). Other notable performers are Madhavi Mudgal, Shagun Bhutani, Gangadhar Pradhan, Bijayni Satpathy, Sanjukta Panigrahi, Sutapa Talukdar, Sudhakar Sahu, Kiran Sehgal, Mayadhar Raut, and Indrani Rehman.

Kathak (Uttar Pradesh)

The name Kathak is derived from the word "Katha," meaning storytelling. It is the only Indian classical dance to feature Persian elements, having been patronized by the Mughal emperors. It is performed to Hindustani music and Urdu ghazals. Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh, was a significant patron. The dance consists of various elements: Amad, Thaat (standing position), Tukra, Paran, Jugalbandhi, Tarana, Bhaav, and Kramalaya Ghat. Three major Gharanas are associated with Kathak: the Lucknow Gharana (founded by Ishwari Prasad), the Jaipur Gharana (founded by Bhanuji Maharaj), and the Banaras Gharana (founded by Janaki Prasad).

Birju Maharaj is a pinnacle figure from the Kalka Bindadin Gharana of Lucknow; he founded the Kalashram school in Delhi in $1998$ and received the Padma Vibhushan in $1986$. Other exponents include Lacchu Maharaj, Acchan Maharaj, Shovna Narayan, Sitara Devi, Kamini Asthana, Nalini Asthana, Narayan Prasad, Kalka Prasad, Ishwari Prasad, Vidhya Gauri Adkar, Kumudini Lakhia, Aditi Mangal Das, Kumkum Dhar, Roshan Kumari, Gopi Krishan, Rani Kasna, Geetanjali Lal, and Maulik Shah.

Mohiniyattam (Kerala)

Mohiniyattam is associated with the Hindu God Vishnu in his female avatar, Mohini. It is known as the "Dance of Enchanters" and is characterized by its graceful, smooth performance without abrupt jerks. It symbolizes the element of Air. Reference to this dance is found in the ancient text Vyavaharamala by Mazhamangalam Narayanan Namputiri. The dance utilizes $24$ hand gestures. Elements include Cholkettu, Jatiswaram, Padavarnam, Padam, Tillana, Slokam, and Saptam. Historical variations include Tevitichiyattam, Nangai Natakam, and Dasiyattam. King Swathi Thirunnal is credited with reviving the dance and incorporating Carnatic classical music into it. VN Menon helped repeal the ban on temple dancing in Kerala, aiding its revival.

Kalyanikutty Amma played a major role in the revival of Mohiniyattam, receiving the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in $1974$ and founding Kerala Kalyanam in $1952$. Other exponents include Kanak Rele, Sunanda Nair, Gopika Verma, Jayaprabha Menon, Radha Dutta, and Pallavi Krishnan.

Kathakali (Kerala)

Kathakali translates to "Story Performance" (Katha meaning story and Kali meaning performance). It is traditionally performed by male dancers in temples after a Sevakali session. The vocal performance is conducted in Sanskritised Malayalam, with themes based on the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is often called a "Mask Dance" due to the elaborate facial painting. Colors symbolize character traits: Green (Pacha) represents strength, nobility, and heroism, while Red (associated with Kathi or Thadi) can represent evil or villainy. There are $5$ major Veshams (makeup styles): Pacha (noble), Kathi (knife/villainous), Thadi (beard), Kari (black/evil), and Minukku (radiant/virtuous females). The dance involves $9$ specific expressions and $24$ hand gestures. Performance components include Kelikottu, Thodayam, Purappadu, Tiranokku, Ilakiyattam, and Kalasam. It incorporates elements of Kalaripayattu, a martial art.

Notable exponents include P. V. Balkrishna, Milena Salvini, Kunchu Kurup, Gopi Nath, Kottakal Nandakumaran Nair, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Guru Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair, and Kavungen Chathuni Panicker.

Manipuri (Manipur)

Manipuri is an introverted dance form based on Vaishnavism. It includes the singing of Ashtapadis from Jayadeva's Gita Govinda. Rabindranath Tagore was instrumental in reviving the dance in the early $20th$ century. The dance consists of three main forms: Raas Leela (depicting the love of Krishna and Radha, propounded by Rajarshi Bhagya Chandra), Sankirtana Tradition (comprising Jagoi and Cholom), and Thang-Ta (a martial dance). Cholom is the masculine aspect where the Pung (drum) is utilized. The surname Devi is frequently associated with this dance.

Exponents include the Jhaveri sisters, Nirmala Mehta, Guru Bipin Singh (who received the title "Hanjaba" from a Manipuri King), Charu Mathur, Devyani Chalia, Aluna Kabuini, Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Nileshwar Mukherjee, Kalavati Devi, Gambhini Devi, Bimbavati Devi, and Thiyam Suryamukhi Devi.

Sattriya (Assam)

Sattriya is a Vaishnavite dance form that was officially included in the classical category in the year $2000$. It was founded by Srimanta Sankaradeva and focuses on themes related to Lord Krishna. The dance is associated with Ankiya Naat, a one-act play written in the Brajavali language. In Assam, this traditional art form combining dance, music, and visual art is called Bhaona. Specific dance numbers include Chali (which lacks theatre components), Jhumura, and Nadu Bhangi.

Prominent exponents include Jatin Goswami, Bhupen Hazarika (recipient of the Bharat Ratna in $2019$), Guru Ghanakanta Bora, Indira Bora, Maniram Dutta, Krishnakshi Kashyap, Meenakshi Medhi, and Sharodi Saikia.

Crossword and Exercise Data

1. Style followed by Mohiniyattam: Lasya.
2. Location of Jawaharlal Nehru Dance Academy: Imphal.
3. First Odissi dancer to receive Padma Vibhushan: Kelucharan Mohapatra.
4. State of Kathakali: Kerala.
5. Famous Kuchipudi dancer: Raja Reddy / Yamini Krishnamurthy.
6. State associated with Bharatanatyam: Tamil Nadu.