1. Classical Dances of India
Radha Prasad Varadan

2. Types of Classical Dances
Bharatanatyam
Kathak
Kathakali
Odissi
Kuchipudi
Manipuri
Mohiniattam
Sattriya

3. Bharatanatyam Comes from the words
Bhava (expression), Raga (music), Tala (rhythm) and Natya (classical theater)
Originates in South India
Performance
Consists of multiple items
Nritta– pure dance movements
Abhinaya– dramatic art of storytelling
Nritya– combination of nritta & abhinaya
Music- Carnatic music

4. Bharatanatyam Costume Made of silk saris with gold embroidery
Costume has a lot of pleats
Jewelry
Necklace, Bangles and head ornaments
Bells mounted on woven pads are worn on the feet

5. Bharatanatyam Famous Exponents
Yamini Krishnamurthy
Rukmini Devi

6. Kathak Derived from Katha (story) and Katthaka (who tells stories)
Originates from North India.
3 main gharanas or schools:
Lucknow, Jaipur & Benares
Performance
Progresses from slow to fast pieces
Footwork & spins
Abhinaya-expression
Music – Hindusthani music
Provided by Tabla, Sitar, Santoor

7. Kathak Costume Ghungroos or bells on the ankles
Female- lehenga choli or chudidaar kameez
Male- bare chest and dhoti or kurta churidar

8. Kathak Famous Exponents
Birju Maharaj
Kumudini Lakhia

9. Kathakali Yamini Krishnamurthy Originates from Kerala state
Attractive make-up of characters and elaborate costumes
Performance
Combination of 5 elements-
Natyam (expression), Nritham (dance), Nrithyam (enactment), Geetham (vocal) and Vadyam (instruments)
Music- Carnatic music
language of songs -Manipravalam

10. Kathakali 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
Costume
Elaborate and differ according to character
Pacha

11. Kathakali Famous Exponents
Kalamandalam Sivadas
Pariyanampatta Divakaran

12. Odissi Originates from Orissa Schools of Odissi
Mahari, Nartaki & Gotipua
Main Emphasis-
Tribhangi- independent movement of head, chest and pelvis
Chauka- basic square stance
Music – Odissi music

13. Odissi
Costume-
Sari- beautiful cloth wrapped around body in traditional style
Bright shades of orange, purple, red or green
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.

14. Odissi Famous Exponents
Sanjukta Panigrahi
Kelucharan Mohapatra

15. Kuchipudi Originates from Andhra Pradesh state in South India
Shares many common elements with Bharatanatyam
Unique Kuchipudi dance-
Tarangam- dancer dances on plate with diyas in the hands and vessel of water on the head
Music- Carnatic music

16. Kuchipudi Similar to Bharatanatyam
Costume
Similar to Bharatanatyam
‘Katcham’ (long fold) at the back of the costume
Jewelry
Female characters wear ornaments and jewelry

17. Kuchipudi (Famous Exponents)
Dr. Vempatti Chinnasatyam
Raja and Radha Reddy

18. Manipuri Originates from Manipur state Performance
Movements are subtle and aim at devotion and grace
Rounded movements without jerks and sharp lines
Dancers feet never strike the ground hard
Music provided by singer, ‘Pung’ (drum), cymbals and flute

19. Manipuri Female- dress called patloi and lehenga called kumin.
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
Dancers do not wear ankle bells

20. Manipuri (Famous Exponents)
Darshana Jhaveri
Kalavati Devi

21. Mohiniattam Comes from the words- Mohini- temptress and Attam- dance
Graceful dance performed only by women
Influences from Bharatanatyam and Kathakali
Music
Vocal (called chollu), Veena, flute, Maddalam & Idakka

22. Mohiniattam Characterized by realistic makeup and simple dressing
Costume
White or cream sari with gold border
Costume is profusely pleated
Jewelry
Mainly gold ornaments

23. Mohiniattam (Famous Exponents)
Gopika Varma
Neena Prasad

24. Sattriya Originates in Assam state Performance
Based on mythological stories
Performed by men and women
Recognized as one of the classical dance forms of India in 2000

25. Sattriya Music Devotional songs called borgeets
Instruments- khols (drums), taals (cymbals) and flute
Costume
Made of pat (type of silk)
Ornaments are based on traditional Assamese designs