MOHINIYATTAM | Classical Dances of INDIA 🇮🇳 KERALA

MOHINIYATTAM | Classical Dances of INDIA 🇮🇳 KERALA

A brief description about the 8 classical dances of India

India is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, including its classical dance forms. There are eight officially recognized classical dances of India, each with its own unique style, music, costumes, and storytelling techniques:

Bharatanatyam: Originating from Tamil Nadu, this dance is characterized by its fixed upper torso, bent legs, and intricate footwork. It incorporates expressive hand gestures and facial expressions to convey stories, often from Hindu mythology.

Kathak: Originating from northern India, Kathak is known for its intricate footwork, spins, and expressive gestures. It evolved from the storytelling traditions of the ancient bards of North India.

Kathakali: From Kerala, this dance-drama combines dance, music, and acting. Performers wear elaborate costumes and makeup, and the dance involves precise movements and facial expressions to depict stories from epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Kuchipudi: Originating from Andhra Pradesh, Kuchipudi is a dance-drama performance that involves both solo and group performances. It includes rhythmic footwork, expressive gestures, and narrative acting.

Manipuri: From the northeastern state of Manipur, this dance form is characterized by smooth, graceful movements and themes centered on the Vaishnavism tradition, particularly the love story of Radha and Krishna.

Mohiniyattam: Also from Kerala, Mohiniyattam is known for its graceful, swaying movements and feminine style. The dance is named after Mohini, a mythical enchantress avatar of Vishnu.

Odissi: Originating from Odisha, Odissi is one of the oldest classical dance forms of India. It is distinguished by its fluid movements, sculpturesque poses, and the tribhangi posture, which involves three bends in the body.

Sattriya: From Assam, Sattriya dance is traditionally performed in monasteries (sattras). It was introduced by the Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardev in the 15th century and involves both solo and group performances, often narrating stories from Hindu mythology.

Each of these dance forms embodies the cultural and spiritual essence of its region, contributing to the diverse tapestry of Indian classical dance