Indian classical dance is a misnomer, and actually refers to Natya, the sacred Hindu musical theatre styles. Its theory can be traced back to the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni (400 BC). The Sangeet Natak Akademi currently confers classical status on eight "dance" forms:^{[citation needed]} ... The Fantasticks was the longest-running musical in history. ... The Natya Shastra or Nātyaśāstra is the principal work of dramatic theory in the Sanskrit drama of classical India. ... Bharata Muni was an ancient Indian writer whose life has been dated differently from the 5th century BCE to the 2nd century Ad. ... The Sangeet Natak Akademi (Devanāgarī: संगीत नाटक अकादेमी or, The National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama in English) is the first national level academy of art set up by the Government of India. ...

1. Bharatanatyam
2. Kathak
3. Kathakali
4. Kuchipudi
5. Manipuri
6. Mohiniaattam
7. Odissi
8. Sattriya

Classical Indian dance

For lack of any equivalents in the European culture, the British colonial authorities called any performing art forms found in India as "Indian dance". Even though the art of Natya includes nritta, or dance proper, Natya has never been limited to dancing alone. At its best, has the most powerful means to lead its worshippers – the artist – to the Divine. It is a sincere depiction of the Divine. It is a sincere depiction of the realities in life, an embodiment of the imagination and gracefulness, the very soul which thereby creates as it were the “Idol of the Beautiful”. Bharatanatyam dancer Bharatanatyam (also spelled Bharathanatyam, Bharatnatyam or Bharata Natyam) ( Sanskrit: भारतनाट्यम bʰāratanāṭyam, Tamil:பரதநாட்டியம் ) is a classical dance form originating from Tamil Nadu, a state in Southern India. ... Stamp issued in honour of Kathak Kathak is one of the classical dance forms of India (originally from North India), and the national dance of Pakistan. ... Face of a Kathakali artist (Kathi Vesham) Kathakali (Malayalam:കഥകളി , Sanskrit:कथकळि) is a form of Indian dance-drama. ... Kuchipudi (కుచిపుడి) is a classical dance form from Andhra Pradesh, a state of South India. ... Stamp issued in honour of the Manipuri dance Full Manipuri dance costume for Radha Manipuri dance is one of the major Indian classical dance forms. ... Mohiniaattam performers Mohiniaattam performers Mohiniaattam (മൊഹിനിയാട്ടം) (also spelled as mohiniattam or mohiniyattam) is a traditional South Indian dance form from Kerala, India. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... image of Sattriya dance Sattriya dance or Sattriya Nritya is one among the eight principal classical dance traditions of India. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Classical_indian_dance_4. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Classical_indian_dance_4. ... ... For other uses, see Dance (disambiguation). ... ...

Indian dance has four main styles: Bharata Natyam, Kathak, Kathakali and Manipuri.^{[citation needed]} The Kathak dance derives its name from the community of Kathaks, who are custodians of the art. It is from this house (ghar) or family that this form has taken its origin. The words Kathak and Kathakali are derived from katha meaning storytelling and kali meaning play. Kathak – storytelling and Kathakali – story play. The Kathak dance style was founded by the master Maharaj Binda Din. Kathak dancing performed by a dancer who stands and moves about and lasya (the aspect) in which the dancer kneels or remains immobile the whole time except for the (gat) a descriptive passage, performed in a gentle rhythm and tells stories with his expressive powers only, with his face and hands. It is astonishing what enchantment such a dancer can weave.

Then we get the tremendous melodramatic Kathakali. On the physical side the dancer must have perfect control of his body and limbs, which is achieved at least 12 years of study. Special massage is given to the feet. The Kathakali technique of using the face expression is a pure marvel of accomplishment. Some ancient masters of this dance have such control of their facial muscles that they can laugh with one side and cry with the other. Every Kathakali must be master of both tandava (vigorous masculine style at changing from one style to another). Lasya is divided into two categories; one suitable for men (for presenting love scenes, displays of sympathy and sentimed and so on) and the other for women who take female roles. Therefore women may study Kathakali but not take part in the pure dance drama which is too vigorous and difficult for them. It is therefore understood that Indian dancing is not just physical movements of hands and legs. It is a form of physical art with body and mind for both men and women alike as well as a form of worship to the Almighty Divine Gods.

In the modern days, Kathakali is also learned and performed by women. There is even a whole women Kathakali group near to Kochi in Kerala.

A very important feature of Indian classical dances is the use of Mudras or hand gestures. Mudras are used by the artists to express their feeling or even the whole story. ²==References==

• Auntrose, K., Classical Dances and costumes of India
• Banerji, P., Kathak Dance through the ages

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External links

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• Classical Indian dance at the Open Directory Project (suggest site) Open Directory Project (dmoz.org) -- over 250 links to Classical Indian Dance resources
• Vimoksha - An informative portal on various forms of Indian classical dance, dance schools and teachers and information on Carnatic and Hindustani music
• Indian Dances - Information on Types, Themes, Style, Techniques, Music, Costumes etc. for Indian classical dances