Let's Move!Let's Dance!

 

 

Indian classical dance has its roots in antiquity and is based on the oldest text on stagecraft, dance and drama called the Natyashastra. The eight recognized Indian classical dances are:

Bharatanatyam from TamilNadu, Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh

Kathakali & Mohiniattam from Kerala, Odissi from Odisha,

Kathak from Uttar Pradesh, Manipuri  from Manipur and 

Satthriya from Assam.

Besides the classical dances, every region in India boasts its own unique folk dance tradition. Some of the more well-known folk dances are:

Bhangra and Giddha from Punjab, Ghoomar from Rajasthan,

Garba and Raas/Dandiya Raas from Gujarat, Lavani from Maharashtra, 

Chau from Odisha, Bihar and West Bengal, and 

Kollatam, Kummi, Karagattam, Kavadi and Kuravanji from Tamil Nadu. ​

Tribal dances from the northeastern part of India that herald the seasons are famous. Of these, the dances of the Nagas from Nagaland and the Bihus of Assam are especially legendary. 

Folk theater is very popular especially the Jatra in West Bengal, the Yakshagna in Karnataka and the Bhagavatamela in Tamil Nadu.

Bollywood, a relative newcomer, is based on the dances from the movies of Bollywood (Mumbai or Bombay is the Hollywood of India). It derives its inspiration from the classical and folk tradtions of India and also from various genres of world dance such as hip-hop, jazz, flamenco, salsa and contemporary.