Classical dances of India

▸ In ancient culture, dance was purely for religious practice, In modern society- enertainment
▸ Natyashastra (ना शा ) written by – Bharata Muni (भरत मुिन)
total 8 classical dances

dance ‘elements’ repersented

kuchipudi earth
kathak kali sky
Mohiniattam Air
Bharat-Natyam Fire
odissi water

▸ Kuchipudi– आधी पु धरती प िगरी

अँधेरे- AndhraPradesh, pudi- kuchipudi, dharti- earth
• belongs to andhrapradesh
• secular as promoted by hindu and muslim ruler both

▸ Kathak-kali– kerla कली, आकाश (sky) से िमली

▸ Mohiniattam– mohini कर ले (kerla), हवा (air) से बा

▸ BharatNatyam– bharat के tamilnadu आग ( re) सी ग प ती है

▸ Odissi– odisha के लोग ब त पानी (water) पीते

▸ Sattriya– assam
▸ Kathak– katha(कथा) ब त होती है UttarPradesh
▸ Manipuri– Manipur













ट्य

ड़ी
स्त्र
की

हु

हु

ड़

में
हैं

में
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तें

र्मी

ड़

 Classical & Folk Dances of India For SSC CGL Exams

1 Bharata Natyam It is a classical dance form originating in Tamil Nadu.

In ancient times it was performed by Devdasis.
Bharatanatyam is popularly called poetry in Motion.
2 Kathak : It is a North Indian Classical dance form especially Uttarpradesh.
The work of the Maharaj Family of dancers (Acchan Maharaj, Shambu Maharaj,
Lachhu Maharaj and Birju Maharaj) helped in spreading the popularity of Kathak.
3 Kathakali : This dance form is from Kerala.
Kathakali, the story is enacted purely by the movements of the hands and by facial
expressions and bodily movements.
4 Kuchipudi is the classical form of Andhra Pradesh.
The dance is accompanied by song which is typically carnatic music.
The technique of Kuchipudi makes use of fast rhythmic footwork & sculpturesque
body movements.
5 Manipuri dance is a classical dance from Manipur.
The dancers feet never strike the ground hard.
Movements of the body and feet and facial expressions in Manipuri dance are
suitable and aim at devotion and grace.
6 Mohiniyattam is a dance form from Kerala.
It is considered a very graceful dance meant to be performed as solo recital by
women.
7 Odissi Classical dance form of Odisha (Orissa).
Odissi is the oldest classical dance rooted in rituals and tradition.
It is particularly distinguished from other classical Indian dance forms by the
importance it places upon the independent movement of head, chest and pelvis.
8 Sattriya is a classical dance form from Assam.
It was recognized as a classical dance by Sangeet Natak Academi on 2000.
Sattriya Nritya was usually performed in the Sattras (Assam monasteries) in a
highly ritualistic manner by male dancers

Classical Dance/Exponents
Bharata Natyam– Rujkmini Devi, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Vaijayantimala Bali, Leela
Samson.

Kuchipudi– Raja Reddy, Radha Reddy

Kathakali– Mukunda Raja
Manipuri– Jhaveri Sisters
Kathak– Birju Maharaj , Sitara Devi, Sambhu Maharaj , Shovna Narayan
Odissi– Kelucharan Mohapatra
SSC : MARTIAL DANCES
Gatka........................................Punjabi
Paika......................................... Orissa
Thag Ta....................................Manipur
Kalaripayattu.............................Kerala
Choliya......................................Uttaranchal
Pang Lhabosol..........................Sikkim
SSC : FOLK DANCES OF INDIA
A. Bihu :The Bihu dance is a folk dance from the Indian State of Assam related to
the festival of Bihu.
B. Bhangra is a folk dance conducted by Punjab Sikh farmers to celebrate the
coming of the harvest season.
C. Garba is a dance form that originated in the Gujarat region. Traditionally it is
performed during the nine-day Hindu festival Navaratri.
D. Jhoomar is a folk dance performed during the harvest season in Punjab.
E. Gidha is a popular folk dance of women in Punjab. Normally, no
musical instruments are accompanied with gidha, except sometimes a dholak.
F. Ghoomar is a traditional women’s folk dance of Rajasthan. It is performed by
groups of women in swirling robes.
G. Kummi is the folk dance popular in Tamil Nadu. This is performed by women.
H. Changu dance is a popular dance form from Orissa. The dance is performed
only by women.
I. Therukoothu is a widely popular folk dance of Tamil Nadu.
J. Raas or Dandiya Raas is the traditional dance form of Gujarat, India where it is
performed depicting scenes of Holi and lila of Krishna and Radha. It is performed
during Navaratri evenings.
K. Chhau dance is popular in Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
L. Yakshagana is a musical dance drama popular in Karnataka. A
performance usually depicts a story from the Indian epics and puranas.

M. Bamboo dance is tribal dance of Nagaland. This dance form is exclusively

performed by girls.