Dancing art is one of the oldest cultural features that have captured the attention of Indians for centuries. Almost all the classical dances that colour Indian culture have begun as offerings to the gods. Most Indian dance forms consist of several common hand gestures, while some dances depict popular legends in Indian society.
Classical Indian dance, which was originally performed in temples dedicated to the gods, has now become a popular feature of Indian culture through various mediums such as carnivals, weddings and Bollywood movies. This article is about the origins of some classical Indian dances which are popular not only among Indians, but in many countries around the world.
Odissi
It is no exaggeration to say that the Odissi dance form, which originated in the coastal states of Eastern India, is an extremely complex dance form. Performed for Hindu deities such as Shiva, Surya, and Shakti, it is a dance that focuses on women, and many of its movements are considered imitations of the deities of ancient temples. The number of gestures used in the Odissi dance, an expressive dance, is reported to exceed 50. Archaeological evidence also suggests that the Odissi was the oldest classical Indian dance form in use today.
Kuchipudi
As in other dance forms, both the dance and the singing of the Kuchipudi dance are performed by the dancers. Originally from Andhra Pradesh in Southeastern India, the Kuchipudi dance was originally performed by men, but today it is mostly performed by women and its steps are largely based on rituals. During the Kuchipudi dance, holy water sprinkling, incense burning and prayers to the gods are common. It is not wrong to call it a popular pooja dance in India. Kuchipudi dances are often performed in honour of gods Krishna or Vishnu.
Manipuri
Based on the eternal love between Radha and Krishna, the Manipuri dance form originated in the Manipur region of Northeastern India and is mostly seen at weddings and Hindu religious festivals. Compared to other dances, Manipuri dance has a more rhythmic performance with smooth and beautiful movements. In the Manipuri dance form, which sometimes manifests itself as a duet, the girls often dress up in a traditional Manipur wedding dress called ‘Kumil’, with a beautifully embellished garland. In addition to the usual dance, at a Manipuri dance, the storyteller narrates the story and sings the chorus.
Kathak
The art of ‘Kathak’, also known as the ‘Dance of Love’, originated with North Indian poets who frequently travelled. It is said that they travelled from State to State propagating ancient legends using music and dance. Kathak dances are largely based on folklore created around the eternal love between Radha and Krishna. It has often been performed to please kings and nobles. It is also said that during the Mughal period, Kathak dances became more erotic.
Kathakali
Kathakali, a Kerala-based dance form, is primarily about telling a story based on a dance. Kathakali dance specialises in facial expressions in addition to hand and foot gestures mixed with music. The Kathakali dancers use bright colours to colour the faces to create intricate patterns. They also wear masks and elegant costumes to showcase the ancient martial arts and sports customs which can be seen in the State of Kerala. Historians believe that folklore may have contributed greatly to the art of Kathakali dance, which is believed to have originated about 1,000 years ago, in association with the characters of the Ramayana and Lord Shiva.
Bharatanatyam
The most popular dance form of Bharatanatyam in the Southern Indian States of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka dates back to about 2,000 years. According to Indian beliefs, Brahma revealed to someone named Bharata, how to perform Bharatanatyam, a sacred dance form. Bharatanatyam, traditionally performed by a single dancer, is considered to be the oldest classical dance form in the Indian culture. Many ancient temples in South India have murals and sculptures of girls performing Bharatanatyam. According to historical sources, it should be performed in a way that highlights the feelings, thoughts and rhythm.