Indian classical dance forms that define what art really is

India is a country rich in diversity and heritage. From the instruments of the South, to the bamboo dancing of the North East, there is just something in every state that will leave you in awe of the diversity and culture of our great nation.
But, one thing that really sets us apart is our culture when it comes to art forms and dance. Almost every state or region has its own famous, authentic dance form that has been taught and mastered for decades. They are a blend of tradition, expression, and culture, each with its unique style and history.
Here we mention some beautiful Indian dance forms that define what art truly is!

One of the most graceful and elegant dance forms originating from India is the Mohiniattam. The word Mohiniattam translates to ‘dance of the enchantress’, and the dance form has quick beats, exaggerated eye movement, graceful hand gestures, and of course, amazing expressions. It has smooth, flowing movements and the perfect blend of feminine grace. The performers usually dress in traditional white and gold costumes.
Mohiniattam usually tells stories from Indian mythology, especially the stories of love or devotion.

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Bharatanatyam, one of the oldest classical dance forms of India, is known for its unique postures and movements. The performer always has bent legs, straight upper body, quick footwork, and expressive hand gestures and facial expressions. Bharatanatyam performances are often done with classical Carnatic music and was traditionally performed in the temples.
The beauty of Bharatanatyam is in its ability to mix quick physical movements and slow, composed gestures and facial expressions.
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Kathak, a dance from Northern India, is known for its elaborate footwork, high-speed spins, and expressive gestures. Kathak was traditionally done by storytellers who used their dance to narrate tales from mythology and history.
The dance form has fast-paced movements and rhythmic footwork, which fills a hall with beauty and energy. The swirls of Kathak too are a step to behold, with the dress of the performer making almost heavenly circles, the gentle thumps of their feet along with the sound of their ghungroos and the instruments that are played in the background or complimenting the dance.

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Kuchipudi, from Andhra Pradesh, is a dance-drama that mixes graceful movements, storytelling, and footwork. Kuchipudi performances often present scenes from Hindu tales and legends, with dancers portraying different characters of the story through elaborate costumes and makeup. The dance is also a mix of nritta (pure dance) and nritya (expression in dance). One of the unique features of Kuchipudi is that occasionally the dancers also add dialogues to their performance. This happens in very few art forms and for people who are not well-versed in the gestures, mudras, and expressions, these dialogues help them understand what is going on.
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Chhau is a tribal martial dance form that is from Eastern India. Chhau has vigorous and energetic movements, acrobatics, use of instruments, and at times the performers also wear masks. There are three main styles of Chhau - Seraikella, Mayurbhanj, and Purulia.
Chhau performances often show themes from Indian epics and folklore, with dancers in the characters of gods, demons, and animals. The dancers are dressed in elaborate clothes, extra masks and headgears, and are always on their feet. Plus, the use of masks in some styles of Chhau adds a dramatic quality to the dance.

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Sattriya is a beautiful dance form with slow, composed movements as opposed to the other dance forms with elaborate footwork necessary. It is a mix of dance, drama, song, and music to narrate stories from the Bhagavata Purana and other Hindu scriptures. The dance has elegant movements, slow, composed footwork, expressive mudras, graceful gestures and eye movements, and is overall a delight to look at.

(Image: Rrishika Kakoty/Pinterest)