Pan Indian Dance Forms Chapter Notes | Arts (Kriti) Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

Introduction

Dance is an integral part of India’s cultural heritage, with various classical forms each representing the diverse traditions of different regions. This chapter explores eight major classical dance forms of India, each with its unique history, style, and cultural significance. These forms are Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, and Sattriya, along with a brief mention of regional folk dances.

Eight Major Dance Forms of India

1. Bharatanatyam

• Origin: Tamil Nadu, South India.
• Features: Geometric and graceful movements, strong footwork, expressive hand gestures and facial expressions.
• Purpose: Dancers tell stories using emotions, music, and rhythm.
• Traditions (Bāṇis): Thanjavur, Pandanallur, Vazhuvoor, Mysuru, and many others.
• Posture: Special half-sitting position called aramandi or ayatamandala, shaped like a diamond.
• Costume: Colourful silk sarees with pleats in front that open beautifully while dancing; adorned with temple jewellery

2. Kathak

• Origin: Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Northern India
• Movement Characteristics: Storytelling through expressive gestures, intricate footwork, spins, rhythmic foot stamping, and facial expressions.
• Famous Styles: Lucknow, Jaipur, Banaras, Raigarh
• Key Stance: Sama sthana (feet together or in a slight V-shape)
• Costume: Long flowing dresses such as anarkalis or lehengas with dupattas

3. Kathakali

• Origin: Kerala, Southern India
• Movement Characteristics: A dance-drama form, known for acting out stories using stylised facial expressions, hand gestures, and body movements.
• Key Stance: Atimandala (deep, grounded posture with bent knees)
• Costume: Bright costumes, large crowns, heavy makeup, and face paint matching the character's role (green for heroes, red for villains).

4. Kuchipudi

• Origin: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
• Movement Characteristics: Quick footedness, hip movements, leaps, and sculpturesque poses. It integrates acting and dance.
• Key Stance: Aramandi (similar to Bharatanatyam but less deep).
• Costume: Silk fabrics stitched for easy movement with a special drape (gochi kattu) and traditional temple jewellery.

5. Mohiniyattam

• Origin: Kerala
• Movement Characteristics: Soft, flowing movements, with a focus on expression and devotion.
• Key Stance: Various levels between low and medium positions like aramandala and atimandala.
• Costume: White or cream sarees with golden borders (kasavu) and traditional jewellery.

6. Manipuri

• Origin: Manipur, North-East India
• Movement Characteristics: Soft, gentle, and flowing movements with a peaceful and calm expression. Includes raas leela (stories of Krishna) and Lai Haraoba.
• Special Dance: Pung Cholom (drum dance).
• Costume: Poloi dress for women and dhotis and turbans for men.

7. Odissi

• Origin: Odisha, Eastern India
• Movement Characteristics: Smooth, flowing movements with slow turns and graceful steps. Features the tribhanga pose (bend at the head, torso, and hip).
• Key Stance: Chauka (half-sitting, square-shaped posture).
• Costume: Traditional fabrics like pattasari (silk) with fan-shaped pleats, silver filigree jewellery, and a flower-like headpiece (tahiya).

8. Sattriya

• Origin: Assam
• Movement Characteristics: Strong and gentle movements, telling stories through realistic actions. Originally performed by male monks, later open to women.
• Key Stance: Two main postures: purusha (male) and prakriti (female).
• Costume: Assamese silk called pat, traditional designs, dhoti or skirt.

Eminent Personalities of Classical Dances

• Bharatanatyam: C. V. Chandrashekhar.
• Kathak: Sitara Devi.
• Kathakali: Kalamandalam Gopi.
• Kuchipudi: Vempati Chinna Satyam.
• Manipuri: Guru Bipin Singh.
• Odissi: Kelucharan Mohapatra.
• Mohiniyattam: Kalamandalam Leelamma.
• Sattriya: Rasheswar Saikia

Other Dance Traditions

Folk Dance from Ao Tribe, Nagaland

• Celebrations: Moatsu Mong (post field clearing and sowing), Tsungrem Mong (harvest thanksgiving).
• Features: Colourful costumes, songs, dances; distinction in clothing between commoners and warriors (mangkotepsu).
• Other dances: Sumi war dance, mungyanta (harvest dance by Lotha women), Sangtam War Dance, Hornbill Dance, Chang Lo, Butterfly Dance.
• Personality: Sangyusang Pongen – Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee.

Traditional Dances of Chhattisgarh

• Occasions: Festivals, harvests, rituals.
• Panthi dance: Satnami community; formations to beats of mandar drum and jhanjh.
• Gaud Maria dance: Bison-Horn Maria community, Bastar plateau; performed during births, marriages.
• Karma dance: Honours Karma Devi during harvest.
• Suwa danda/parrot dance: Performed by women during harvest and Diwali.
• Gedi dance: Gond people; performed on bamboo stilts.
• Personality: Mamta Chandrakar – Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, Padma Shri recipient.