NCERT Textbook: A Presentation of Dance and Choreography | Arts (Kriti) Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

 Page 1


14
A PRESENTATION OF DANCE 
AND CHOREOGRAPHY
You are familiar with the Na?yashastra and the Abhinaya Darpa?am now. 
In ancient times, when they were written, dance was usually called nr ? tta and 
nr ? itya or nartana, whereas dance-drama was called na?ya. 
Have you ever wondered how dance originated? 
If you refer to your Grade 6 Arts textbook (Theatre), you will recall an 
interesting story about the birth of the performing arts. Similarly, you will 
learn about the birth of dance from the Abhinaya Darpanam.
Brahma Deva, derived from all four Vedas, is said 
to have created the Na?ya Veda, often referred to 
as called the ??fth Veda. 
Brahma Deva gave Na?ya Veda to a Rishi, Bharata 
Muni, who studied and mastered all three aspects 
of nr ? tta, nr ? itya and na?ya. 
ch14_DANCE.indd   152 ch14_DANCE.indd   152 19-06-2025   16:37:34 19-06-2025   16:37:34
Page 2


14
A PRESENTATION OF DANCE 
AND CHOREOGRAPHY
You are familiar with the Na?yashastra and the Abhinaya Darpa?am now. 
In ancient times, when they were written, dance was usually called nr ? tta and 
nr ? itya or nartana, whereas dance-drama was called na?ya. 
Have you ever wondered how dance originated? 
If you refer to your Grade 6 Arts textbook (Theatre), you will recall an 
interesting story about the birth of the performing arts. Similarly, you will 
learn about the birth of dance from the Abhinaya Darpanam.
Brahma Deva, derived from all four Vedas, is said 
to have created the Na?ya Veda, often referred to 
as called the ??fth Veda. 
Brahma Deva gave Na?ya Veda to a Rishi, Bharata 
Muni, who studied and mastered all three aspects 
of nr ? tta, nr ? itya and na?ya. 
ch14_DANCE.indd   152 ch14_DANCE.indd   152 19-06-2025   16:37:34 19-06-2025   16:37:34
153  | A PRESENTATION OF DANCE AND CHOREOGRAPHY
He was so pleased to see the 
performance that he o??ered Bharata 
Muni special lessons with his best 
ganas (attendants) in the rigorous 
form of dancing called tandava. 
Mahadeva’s gana, Tandu taught 
tandava to the sages who taught it to 
the humans. 
Bharata Muni along with his group of Gandharvas (heavenly 
musicians) and Apsaras (heavenly dancers) presented their 
??rst performance. 
At the time, the great dancer Mahadeva was also in the 
audience. 
ch14_DANCE.indd   153 ch14_DANCE.indd   153 19-06-2025   16:37:36 19-06-2025   16:37:36
Page 3


14
A PRESENTATION OF DANCE 
AND CHOREOGRAPHY
You are familiar with the Na?yashastra and the Abhinaya Darpa?am now. 
In ancient times, when they were written, dance was usually called nr ? tta and 
nr ? itya or nartana, whereas dance-drama was called na?ya. 
Have you ever wondered how dance originated? 
If you refer to your Grade 6 Arts textbook (Theatre), you will recall an 
interesting story about the birth of the performing arts. Similarly, you will 
learn about the birth of dance from the Abhinaya Darpanam.
Brahma Deva, derived from all four Vedas, is said 
to have created the Na?ya Veda, often referred to 
as called the ??fth Veda. 
Brahma Deva gave Na?ya Veda to a Rishi, Bharata 
Muni, who studied and mastered all three aspects 
of nr ? tta, nr ? itya and na?ya. 
ch14_DANCE.indd   152 ch14_DANCE.indd   152 19-06-2025   16:37:34 19-06-2025   16:37:34
153  | A PRESENTATION OF DANCE AND CHOREOGRAPHY
He was so pleased to see the 
performance that he o??ered Bharata 
Muni special lessons with his best 
ganas (attendants) in the rigorous 
form of dancing called tandava. 
Mahadeva’s gana, Tandu taught 
tandava to the sages who taught it to 
the humans. 
Bharata Muni along with his group of Gandharvas (heavenly 
musicians) and Apsaras (heavenly dancers) presented their 
??rst performance. 
At the time, the great dancer Mahadeva was also in the 
audience. 
ch14_DANCE.indd   153 ch14_DANCE.indd   153 19-06-2025   16:37:36 19-06-2025   16:37:36
154  | KRITI
On the other hand, Devi Parvati trained 
Bharata Muni in the more graceful form of 
dance called lasya.
Devi Parvati also taught lasya dance to Usha, the 
daughter of King Bana. And Usha taught the dance to 
the gopis (milkmaids) of Dwarka who then taught it to 
the women of Saurashtra. 
And so, more and more people learnt dance, and 
that is how dance reached the earth.
Legends are a rich source for storytelling in the 
Indian dance forms. Stories from the Puranas, Jataka 
Tales, Panchatantra, etc., o??er narratives that make 
for beautiful visual spectacles and have a deep moral 
message. 
These stories are relevant even today when interpreted 
according to the present times.
ch14_DANCE.indd   154 ch14_DANCE.indd   154 19-06-2025   16:37:36 19-06-2025   16:37:36
Page 4


14
A PRESENTATION OF DANCE 
AND CHOREOGRAPHY
You are familiar with the Na?yashastra and the Abhinaya Darpa?am now. 
In ancient times, when they were written, dance was usually called nr ? tta and 
nr ? itya or nartana, whereas dance-drama was called na?ya. 
Have you ever wondered how dance originated? 
If you refer to your Grade 6 Arts textbook (Theatre), you will recall an 
interesting story about the birth of the performing arts. Similarly, you will 
learn about the birth of dance from the Abhinaya Darpanam.
Brahma Deva, derived from all four Vedas, is said 
to have created the Na?ya Veda, often referred to 
as called the ??fth Veda. 
Brahma Deva gave Na?ya Veda to a Rishi, Bharata 
Muni, who studied and mastered all three aspects 
of nr ? tta, nr ? itya and na?ya. 
ch14_DANCE.indd   152 ch14_DANCE.indd   152 19-06-2025   16:37:34 19-06-2025   16:37:34
153  | A PRESENTATION OF DANCE AND CHOREOGRAPHY
He was so pleased to see the 
performance that he o??ered Bharata 
Muni special lessons with his best 
ganas (attendants) in the rigorous 
form of dancing called tandava. 
Mahadeva’s gana, Tandu taught 
tandava to the sages who taught it to 
the humans. 
Bharata Muni along with his group of Gandharvas (heavenly 
musicians) and Apsaras (heavenly dancers) presented their 
??rst performance. 
At the time, the great dancer Mahadeva was also in the 
audience. 
ch14_DANCE.indd   153 ch14_DANCE.indd   153 19-06-2025   16:37:36 19-06-2025   16:37:36
154  | KRITI
On the other hand, Devi Parvati trained 
Bharata Muni in the more graceful form of 
dance called lasya.
Devi Parvati also taught lasya dance to Usha, the 
daughter of King Bana. And Usha taught the dance to 
the gopis (milkmaids) of Dwarka who then taught it to 
the women of Saurashtra. 
And so, more and more people learnt dance, and 
that is how dance reached the earth.
Legends are a rich source for storytelling in the 
Indian dance forms. Stories from the Puranas, Jataka 
Tales, Panchatantra, etc., o??er narratives that make 
for beautiful visual spectacles and have a deep moral 
message. 
These stories are relevant even today when interpreted 
according to the present times.
ch14_DANCE.indd   154 ch14_DANCE.indd   154 19-06-2025   16:37:36 19-06-2025   16:37:36
155  | A PRESENTATION OF DANCE AND CHOREOGRAPHY
You have learnt about the descent of 
Ganga from heaven to Earth in Visual Arts. 
It is a powerful tale of the importance of 
rivers in nourishing life on earth. But if 
you read it more closely, you will realise 
that it has a deeper meaning and teaches 
values. 
The story showcases:
 ? The strength and resolve of a woman, 
in this case, Devi Ganga. 
 ? How di??erent elements of nature, 
including Gods, have to work 
together to make good things happen, 
for instance, how Mahadeva helped 
Ganga in controlling her force before 
descending to Earth. 
 ? King Bhagirath as a great example of 
unwavering faith and perseverance. 
 ? The present day plight of rivers and 
how they are polluted.
 ? How rivers must be respected and 
kept clean and pure.
What if you were to bring this story 
into a dance production? 
Once Upon A Dance… Creating your  
Dance Production
Think of a legend or historical tale that you can bring to the 
contemporary world. Interpret it in present times and plan a 
dance production to perform the story.
Phase 1: Planning and Pre-Production
Time for brainstorming ideas!
1.  Theme and Storyline
 ? What is your production about?
 ? Choose a myth, legend or historical story and give it a 
twist to ??t today’s world.
 ? Will you write a script or use an existing one?
 ? Will each dance tell part of the story?
 ? How many dances will you include?
2.  Style of Dance and Groups
 ? What style or styles of dance would you include? Make 
sure it ??ts the theme.
 ? How many dance groups will you have, and how many 
people per group?
 ? Would you like to use any props?
ch14_DANCE.indd   155 ch14_DANCE.indd   155 19-06-2025   16:37:36 19-06-2025   16:37:36
Page 5


14
A PRESENTATION OF DANCE 
AND CHOREOGRAPHY
You are familiar with the Na?yashastra and the Abhinaya Darpa?am now. 
In ancient times, when they were written, dance was usually called nr ? tta and 
nr ? itya or nartana, whereas dance-drama was called na?ya. 
Have you ever wondered how dance originated? 
If you refer to your Grade 6 Arts textbook (Theatre), you will recall an 
interesting story about the birth of the performing arts. Similarly, you will 
learn about the birth of dance from the Abhinaya Darpanam.
Brahma Deva, derived from all four Vedas, is said 
to have created the Na?ya Veda, often referred to 
as called the ??fth Veda. 
Brahma Deva gave Na?ya Veda to a Rishi, Bharata 
Muni, who studied and mastered all three aspects 
of nr ? tta, nr ? itya and na?ya. 
ch14_DANCE.indd   152 ch14_DANCE.indd   152 19-06-2025   16:37:34 19-06-2025   16:37:34
153  | A PRESENTATION OF DANCE AND CHOREOGRAPHY
He was so pleased to see the 
performance that he o??ered Bharata 
Muni special lessons with his best 
ganas (attendants) in the rigorous 
form of dancing called tandava. 
Mahadeva’s gana, Tandu taught 
tandava to the sages who taught it to 
the humans. 
Bharata Muni along with his group of Gandharvas (heavenly 
musicians) and Apsaras (heavenly dancers) presented their 
??rst performance. 
At the time, the great dancer Mahadeva was also in the 
audience. 
ch14_DANCE.indd   153 ch14_DANCE.indd   153 19-06-2025   16:37:36 19-06-2025   16:37:36
154  | KRITI
On the other hand, Devi Parvati trained 
Bharata Muni in the more graceful form of 
dance called lasya.
Devi Parvati also taught lasya dance to Usha, the 
daughter of King Bana. And Usha taught the dance to 
the gopis (milkmaids) of Dwarka who then taught it to 
the women of Saurashtra. 
And so, more and more people learnt dance, and 
that is how dance reached the earth.
Legends are a rich source for storytelling in the 
Indian dance forms. Stories from the Puranas, Jataka 
Tales, Panchatantra, etc., o??er narratives that make 
for beautiful visual spectacles and have a deep moral 
message. 
These stories are relevant even today when interpreted 
according to the present times.
ch14_DANCE.indd   154 ch14_DANCE.indd   154 19-06-2025   16:37:36 19-06-2025   16:37:36
155  | A PRESENTATION OF DANCE AND CHOREOGRAPHY
You have learnt about the descent of 
Ganga from heaven to Earth in Visual Arts. 
It is a powerful tale of the importance of 
rivers in nourishing life on earth. But if 
you read it more closely, you will realise 
that it has a deeper meaning and teaches 
values. 
The story showcases:
 ? The strength and resolve of a woman, 
in this case, Devi Ganga. 
 ? How di??erent elements of nature, 
including Gods, have to work 
together to make good things happen, 
for instance, how Mahadeva helped 
Ganga in controlling her force before 
descending to Earth. 
 ? King Bhagirath as a great example of 
unwavering faith and perseverance. 
 ? The present day plight of rivers and 
how they are polluted.
 ? How rivers must be respected and 
kept clean and pure.
What if you were to bring this story 
into a dance production? 
Once Upon A Dance… Creating your  
Dance Production
Think of a legend or historical tale that you can bring to the 
contemporary world. Interpret it in present times and plan a 
dance production to perform the story.
Phase 1: Planning and Pre-Production
Time for brainstorming ideas!
1.  Theme and Storyline
 ? What is your production about?
 ? Choose a myth, legend or historical story and give it a 
twist to ??t today’s world.
 ? Will you write a script or use an existing one?
 ? Will each dance tell part of the story?
 ? How many dances will you include?
2.  Style of Dance and Groups
 ? What style or styles of dance would you include? Make 
sure it ??ts the theme.
 ? How many dance groups will you have, and how many 
people per group?
 ? Would you like to use any props?
ch14_DANCE.indd   155 ch14_DANCE.indd   155 19-06-2025   16:37:36 19-06-2025   16:37:36
156  | KRITI
3.  Music Selection
 ? Pick music that suits your theme and dance 
styles.
 ? You can use recorded tracks, compose your 
own or even include live music performed 
by students.
4.  Roles and Responsibilities
 ? Choreographer: Designs the dances, leads 
rehearsals.
 ? Performers: Dancers and actors.
 ? Director or Co-ordinator: Keeps everything 
running smoothly.
 ? Script writer: Writes dialogues and 
narration.
 ? Music Director: Creates or chooses music 
and e??ects. 
 ? Set and Prop Designer: Designs backdrops 
and props.
 ? Lighting and Tech Crew: Manages lights, 
sounds, and tech.
 ? Costume and Make-Up Designer: Plans the 
look of characters
 ? Marketing Team: Spreads the word about 
your show!
5. Use your learning from other subjects!
 ? Theatre: For scriptwriting, acting and 
dialogue.
 ? Visual Arts: For set design, costume,  
make-up and props.
 ? Music: For live instruments, songs, and 
background score.
 ? Maths and Computing: To plan budgets, 
timing, or lighting cues.
6. Venue and Dates
 ? Where will the show be? (School hall, stage, 
outdoors)
 ? Set your rehearsal schedule and performance 
date.
Phase 2: Choreography and Rehearsals
1.  Choreographic Stages 
 ? Break your story into scenes or moments.
 ? Explore movements and emotions for each 
character or scene.
 ? Use elements from your dance form sthanas, 
charis, hastas and add creative touches.
 ? Think about breath, rhythm, silence; they're 
all part of the story!
ch14_DANCE.indd   156 ch14_DANCE.indd   156 19-06-2025   16:37:36 19-06-2025   16:37:36