Classical & Folk Dances
The dance traditions of India form one of the richest parts of the country's cultural heritage and are a recurring theme in the general knowledge papers of competitive examinations such as ADRE, APSC, Assam Police, DHS, DME, SSC and Railway recruitment tests. Indian dance is broadly divided into two streams, the classical or shastriya dances, which follow codified rules laid down in ancient texts, and the folk or desi dances, which grew out of the daily life, festivals and harvests of particular regions and communities. The classical forms are performed to the accompaniment of classical music and follow the three basic elements of bhava or expression, raga or melody and tala or rhythm, while folk dances are simpler, community based and often tied to seasons, weddings and religious festivals. A clear understanding of the states, features, costumes and institutions connected with these dances helps candidates answer both direct and analytical questions with confidence.
Origin and the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni
The theoretical foundation of Indian classical dance is the Natya Shastra, a monumental treatise on dance, drama and music attributed to the sage Bharata Muni. It is believed to have been composed between roughly 200 BCE and 200 CE, and it is often described as the fifth Veda because tradition holds that it was created by Brahma and passed on to Bharata for the benefit of all people. The Natya Shastra consists of about six thousand verses spread over thirty-six chapters and deals with every aspect of performance, including the training of actors and dancers, the construction of theatres, the theory of rasa or aesthetic pleasure, the use of mudras or hand gestures, and the classification of movements. It describes two broad styles, the lasya, which is gentle, graceful and feminine, and the tandava, which is vigorous, energetic and masculine. It also lays down the navarasa, the nine emotions, and the relationship between the performer and the audience. Almost all later classical dance forms trace their grammar and vocabulary to this single text, which makes Bharata Muni the acknowledged father of Indian classical dance theory.
The Classical Dance Forms and Their States
The Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's national academy for the performing arts, recognises eight classical dances. Bharatanatyam comes from Tamil Nadu and evolved from the temple dance of the devadasis; it is known for its geometrical lines, fixed upper torso and expressive abhinaya. Kathak belongs to Uttar Pradesh and grew in the Mughal courts, and it is distinguished by rapid spinning or chakkars, intricate footwork and storytelling. Kathakali from Kerala is a dance drama with elaborate make up, huge headgear and stylised eye movements, and it draws on martial traditions such as Kalaripayattu. Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh is named after a village and combines dance with drama, often including a dancer balancing on a brass plate. Odissi from Odisha is marked by the tribhanga posture, curved body movements and sculpture like poses. Manipuri from Manipur is soft and devotional, centred on the Raas Lila of Radha and Krishna. Mohiniyattam from Kerala is a graceful solo form performed mainly by women. Sattriya from Assam, recognised as a classical dance in 2000, was developed by Srimanta Sankardev and is performed in the satras or monasteries.
Folk Dances of Major States
Folk dances reflect the soil and the seasons of each region and are frequently asked in state level examinations. Bihu is the most famous folk dance of Assam and is associated with the Bohag or Rongali Bihu festival that welcomes the Assamese new year; it is performed by young men and women with the dhol, pepa and hornpipes. Punjab has the vigorous Bhangra performed by men and the elegant Giddha performed by women, both linked to the harvest festival of Baisakhi. Gujarat is known for Garba and Dandiya Raas, in which dancers move in circles around a lamp or image of the goddess during Navratri. Rajasthan offers the graceful Ghoomar performed by women, the energetic Gair of the Bhil community and the Kalbelia dance of the snake charmer community. Lavani is the lively folk dance of Maharashtra performed to the beats of the dholki. Chhau is a masked martial dance associated with Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal, with the Mayurbhanj, Seraikela and Purulia styles respectively. Yakshagana is the theatrical dance drama of Karnataka, Rouf is a Kashmiri dance performed by women during Ramzan, and Nati is the popular folk dance of Himachal Pradesh.
Costumes and Musical Accompaniment of the Classical Forms
The costume and music of each classical dance are carefully prescribed and are often the subject of objective questions. Bharatanatyam dancers wear a tailor made silk saree in bright colours with pleats that open like a fan, along with temple jewellery and anklets, and the orchestra includes the nattuvangam or cymbals, the mridangam, the flute, the veena and the violin, with a singer providing the lyrics. Kathak performers wear a flowing anarkali or kurta and pyjama with a dupatta, and the accompanying instruments are the tabla, the pakhawaj, the sarangi and the harmonium. Kathakali artists wear enormous headgear and elaborate make up in colours such as green, red and black, and the music is dominated by the chenda and maddalam drums and the chengila cymbals. Kuchipudi uses a costume similar to that of Bharatanatyam, and the mridangam and Carnatic vocal music are central. Odissi dancers wear a silver or white costume with the distinctive mahari style jewellery and the music uses the pakhawaj, the flute and the manjira. Manipuri is performed in richly embroidered potloi costumes, and the pung or drum, the flute and the cymbals accompany the dance. Mohiniyattam uses a white and gold kasavu costume, while Sattriya uses the pat silk costume of Assam with the khol drum, the taal and the flute.
Institutions, Awards and the Sangeet Natak Akademi
The Sangeet Natak Akademi, established in 1952 and headquartered in New Delhi, is the national academy of music, dance and drama and is the apex body that oversees the promotion of the performing arts in India. It recognises the eight classical dances, gives grants to institutions and artists, runs festivals and confers the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, which is also known as the Akademi Ratna. The Akademi also administers the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for young artists. Alongside it, other important bodies include the National School of Drama, the Sahitya Akademi and the Lalit Kala Akademi, which together form the network of national academies. The Ministry of Culture is the parent ministry that supports these institutions. Several other awards are linked to the dance world, including the Padma awards, the Kalidas Samman, the Tansen Samman and the state level honours conferred by different governments. Two important centres for the classical arts are the Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai, founded by Rukmini Devi Arundale in 1936, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi's own programmes. Institutions such as these are essential for passing the tradition on to new generations of performers.
Important Recent and Exam-Relevant Facts
Current affairs questions often link dance to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, so candidates should remember the Indian entries carefully. Koodiyattam or Kutiyattam, the Sanskrit theatre of Kerala, was the first Indian tradition inscribed on the list in 2008. The Vedic chanting tradition and Ramlila were also added in 2008. Ramman, the religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand, was inscribed in 2009. The Chhau dance of Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal and the Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan were both inscribed in 2010. Buddhist chanting of Ladakh was added in 2012 and the Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur was added in 2013. Yoga was added in 2016 and the Kumbh Mela in 2017. In December 2023, Garba of Gujarat was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, which makes it the most recent Indian entry and a very likely examination question. Sattriya was recognised as a classical dance by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in the year 2000, taking the number of classical dances to eight. Candidates should also note that the Natya Shastra is attributed to Bharata Muni and that the Sangeet Natak Akademi was set up in 1952.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognises eight classical dances of India.
- Bharatanatyam belongs to Tamil Nadu and grew out of temple dancing.
- Kathak belongs to Uttar Pradesh and is linked to the Mughal courts.
- Kathakali and Mohiniyattam are classical dances of Kerala.
- Kuchipudi comes from Andhra Pradesh and is named after a village.
- Odissi belongs to Odisha and is known for the tribhanga posture.
- Manipuri belongs to Manipur and centres on the Raas Lila.
- Sattriya belongs to Assam and was recognised as classical in 2000.
- Srimanta Sankardev is associated with Sattriya dance.
- The Natya Shastra is attributed to Bharata Muni.
- Bhava, raga and tala are the three basic elements of Indian dance.
- Bihu is the folk dance of Assam, performed during Rongali Bihu.
- Bhangra and Giddha are folk dances of Punjab.
- Garba and Dandiya Raas belong to Gujarat.
- Ghoomar and Kalbelia are folk dances of Rajasthan.
- Lavani is the folk dance of Maharashtra.
- Chhau is associated with Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
- Yakshagana belongs to Karnataka and Rouf to Kashmir.
- Nati is a folk dance of Himachal Pradesh.
- Garba of Gujarat was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2023.
Quick Revision Points
- Classical dances follow the Natya Shastra; folk dances follow local life and festivals.
- Eight classical dances are recognised; Sattriya was the last to be added in 2000.
- Remember the state of each form: Bharatanatyam-Tamil Nadu, Kathak-Uttar Pradesh, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam-Kerala, Kuchipudi-Andhra Pradesh, Odissi-Odisha, Manipuri-Manipur, Sattriya-Assam.
- Bihu, Bhangra, Garba, Ghoomar and Lavani are the most commonly asked folk dances.
- The Sangeet Natak Akademi was set up in 1952 and runs the Akademi Ratna awards.
- Garba of Gujarat was inscribed by UNESCO in 2023.
How to Prepare This Topic
- Learn the eight classical dances together with their states and one key feature each.
- Make a table that pairs every folk dance with its state, festival and community.
- Memorise the dates of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage inscriptions.
- Remember the costume and the main instruments of each classical form.
- Note the roles of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Ministry of Culture and Kalakshetra.
- Revise the Natya Shastra, its author and the elements of bhava, raga and tala.
Common Exam Traps
- Confusing Kathakali with Mohiniyattam; both are from Kerala but are very different forms.
- Mixing up Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh) with Odissi (Odisha).
- Forgetting that Sattriya was recognised only in 2000 and is the eighth classical dance.
- Attributing the Natya Shastra to the wrong author; it is by Bharata Muni.
- Mixing up the states of Garba (Gujarat) and Ghoomar (Rajasthan).
- Getting the year of the Garba UNESCO inscription wrong; it is 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many classical dances are recognised in India and which was added last?
The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognises eight classical dances: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam and Sattriya. Sattriya from Assam was the last to be recognised, in the year 2000. It was developed by the saint Srimanta Sankardev and is performed in the satras or monasteries of Assam.
What is the Natya Shastra and who wrote it?
The Natya Shastra is the ancient Indian treatise on dance, drama and music attributed to the sage Bharata Muni. It was composed roughly between 200 BCE and 200 CE and is called the fifth Veda. It contains about six thousand verses across thirty-six chapters and describes the theory of rasa, the use of mudras, and the lasya and tandava styles. It is the source of the grammar of most classical dances.
Which classical dances belong to Kerala and how do they differ?
Two classical dances belong to Kerala. Kathakali is a dance drama with elaborate make up, large headgear and stylised eye movements, and it draws on martial traditions such as Kalaripayattu. Mohiniyattam is a graceful solo form performed mainly by women. Both are recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi as classical dances of India.
Name the major folk dances of Punjab, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The major folk dances of Punjab are Bhangra, performed by men, and Giddha, performed by women, both linked to the Baisakhi harvest festival. Gujarat is known for Garba and Dandiya Raas, performed during Navratri. Rajasthan is known for Ghoomar, the Gair of the Bhil community and the Kalbelia dance of the snake charmer community.
Which Indian dance forms are on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list?
Koodiyattam of Kerala was inscribed in 2008, followed by Ramman in 2009, and Chhau and Kalbelia in 2010. Sankirtana of Manipur was added in 2013. Garba of Gujarat was inscribed in December 2023 and is the most recent Indian entry. These inscriptions make the associated dance forms very important for current affairs questions.