Classical Dance Forms Of India Part - 1 Author : TENISHA JAYADEEP

 Hello friends today wellcome to my blog so todays topic is very intresting , so the topic is - Classical dance forms of india

1. Bharatnatyam : This classical dance form belongs to southern india , particulary from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu It is usally performed
solo ( single dancer) . This dance form represents the harmonius blending of bhava, raga and tala or expression , music and rhythm .
The dancer expresses various thoughts and emotions using various facial expressions , hastas , mudras and limb movements . The dance
items are set to carnatic music . In the past , this dance form was confined to the temples by dancers who had offered themselves to the temple deity .
Famous dancers such as Bala Saraswathi and Rukmini Devi Arundale have contrbuted immensly to this divine art

2. Kathak : Kathak is the famous dance form of Uttar Pradesh in Nothern india This too is primarily a solo art form . In this dance form
Krishna is regarded as the divine dancer ' Natwar' and his patner Radha . Young boys and girls are trained by Gurus to enact various stories of
Krishna known as Raas mandalis . In fact , the word kathak is derived from ' kathakaar ' or story teller . These were performed mainly in temples.
In this dance form nritta is predominant and the and the rhythmic composition are known as " Bolas ". The dancer , himself has to recite the bolas
and then demostrate them through dance . This is known as Padhant . Aharaya or ornaments are not given much importance . Mainly , Hindustani
music is used in Kathak . There are two well known forms in Kathak known as Jaipur Gharana and Lucknow Gharana . Few famous Kathak dancers
are Pandit Birju Maharaj , Pandit Shambhu Maharaj, Sitara devi , Shovana Narayan etc .

3. Kathakali - Kathakali has originated from the state Kerala in South India . It is mainly a group performance .
Kathakali is a pure form of dance drama where special emphasis is given to abhinaya . Mainly , episodes from
various purnas and epics such as Ramayna and Mahabharata are enacted through elaborate drama depicting the victory
of good over evil . One very important and striking feature of kathakali is the use of elaborate and intricate makeup
and colourful costumes . In this dance form typical leg extensions, leaps and jumps are used . Soppan music
is used in kathakali dance . Well known dancers of this form include Padma Bhushan Kalamandalam , Raman kutty Nair
Padma Shree Kalamandalm Gopi , Madavoor Vasudevan Nair.