Tours to India Directory

The idealistic way of expressing joy and wonder is through the medium of dance transcending barriers of culture and development. Ancient humans were probably mimicking the movements of birds and animals in an attempt to acquire or depict their unconscious grace and freedom of form and motion. Seen as a structured entity, Dance was actually a part of the devotional process. When combined with song and story-telling, dance metamorphosed into theatre. One aspect or the other predominates in theatre and the performing arts as we recognize them today.

Permeated all facets of life, Dance outstanding function was to give symbolic expression to abstract religious ideas. The close relationship between dance and religion began very early in Hindu thought, and numerous references to dance include descriptions of its performance in both secular and religious contexts. Not merely a spectacle or entertainment, Dance is a representation by means of gestures, of stories of gods and heroes - thus displaying a theme, not the dancer.

The Expressions!!!
Kathak
North Indian style of classical dance, characterized by rhythmic footwork danced under the weight of more than 100 ankle bells, spectacular spins, and the dramatic representation of themes from Persian and Urdu poetry alongside those of Hindu mythology. Kathak arose from the fusion of Hindu and Muslim cultures that took place during the Mughal period (1526-1761). More than any other South Asian dance form, kathak expresses the aesthetic principles of Islamic culture. The influence of kathak is also visible in the Spanish flamenco tradition.

Bharatnatyam
Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form of South India, said to be originated in Thanjavoor of Tamil Nadu. It was known as "Daasiyattam" since performed by Devadasies in temples of Tamil Nadu long ago. The name 'Bharatanatyam' is derived from three basic concepts of Bhava, Raga and Thaala. The modern Bharatanatyam was systematically regularized by well known 'Thanjavoor Brothers', Ponnayya, Chinnayya, Sivanandam and Vativelu.

Mohiniattam
Mohiniattam means Mohini's dance. Mohini according to Indian mythology, is a very beautiful woman who attracts people instantly and was an enchantress, thus it is the dance of the enchantress. It is also believed that Lord Vishnu had disguised himself as 'Mohini' with an intention to slay Bhasmasura and also during the churning of nectar from the ocean. But the basis of this dance is not seduction alone. It also signifies transformation of Lord Vishnu into a female form and also the concept of 'Ardhnareeshwara' i.e. male and female as one. Like many other dance forms, this was also restricted to the Devadasis.

Kuchipudi
Kuchipudi is the dance form of Andhra Pradesh, which had its genesis in the village of the same name, originally called Kuchelapuri or Kuchelapuram. According to tradition, Kuchipudi was originally performed only by Brahmin men. These Brahmin families were known as Bhagavathalu of Kuchipudi. They never allowed women in their groups.

Kuchipudi performances are dance dramas, commonly referred as Ata Bhagavatham. In a Kuchipudi performance, each principal character introduces himself or herself on the stage with a small composition of dance and song, specially designed to identify the character.

Oddisi
Odissi, the essence of the state of Orissa is the highly inspired, impassioned, ecstatic and sensuous form of dance. Odissi was performed in the temples of Orissa as a religious rite and offering by the Devadasis known as 'Maharis'. Odissi is a rich and generous cultural gift of the land, well known for its dedication to religion and arts and known in the past as 'Kalinga Desha'. The people of this land raised magnificent temples, each erected as an act of religious faith and embellished by the skills of master craftsmen, sculptures and architects. These temples became the centre of art and culture and it was here that Odissi, one of India's scintillating dance-forms was born, nurtured and nourished.

In Odissi, the technique, the style, its stages, the repertoire and the finale were almost amorphous. Today Odissi is a well established and codified classical dance form of India, a dance of love, delight and intense passion, lyrical, pure, divine and human all rolled into one.

Manipuri
Manipuri one of the six classical dance styles of India, the others being Bharata-natyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, and Orissi. It is indigenous to Manipur, the north-eastern state of India and the indigenous people of this valley were said to be the dance-expert Gandharva's, mentioned in the epic Ramayana, Mahabharata and other religious scriptures.

Manipuri dance is purely religious and its aim is a spiritual experience. Development of music and dance has through religious festivals and daily activities of the Manipuri people. Not only is dance a medium of worship and enjoyment, a door to the divine, but indispensable for all socio-cultural ceremonies. From the religious point of view and from the artistic angle of vision, Manipuri Classical Form of dance is claimed to be one on the most chestiest, modest, softest and mildest but the most meaningful dances of the world.