ODISSI

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Probably, one of the oldest classical dance styles, according to Archaeological evidence. History dates back to 1st century B.C. 

 

Place Of Origin:Odisha (Eastern India)                               

Stylistic Feature:Dance form is built around two main pivotal body positions:

 1. Chauka : Symmetrical squarish body position. Bosy maintains complete equilibrium and masculine form symbolising the main deity of the universe.

 2. Tribhanga: Three bent body position (at the neck, at the torso and at the knees).  Feminine position symbolising the female consort of the universe. 

Unique feature is Torso movement.

Text :    Abhinaya Darpan, Abhinaya Chandrika, Sangeet Kaumudi, Geet Govind

Languages Used:  Sanskrit and Oriya

Costume and Jewellery:  Orissa Silk Saree, Silver Jewellery, Tahiya on head.

Famous Gurus and Dancers:  

 Guru Pankaj Charan Das

 Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra,

 Guru Dev Prasad Das

 Smt. Sonal Mansingh, Sanjukta Panigrahi

BHARATNATYAM

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The name means dance of 'Bhaav', 'Raaga' and 'Taal'. It also means Dance of Bharata. Tradition camed out of devdasi system.

 

Place of Origin: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka

Stylistic Feature:   Three important positions: 

                                1. Samapada (समपद)
                                2. Aramandi  or Ardha Mandalam (अर्ध मंडलम् )
                                3. Muzhu Mandi. (मुलु मण्डी )

The style is generally linear with stretches. It includes rhythm, poetry and a balance of tandava and lasya.

Text:   Natya Shastra, Abhinaya Darpan

Languages Used: Sanskrit and Tamil

Music: Nattubangam, Karnatic Vocal, Mridangam, Flute, Violin

Costume and Jewellery: South Silk Saree, Gold Jewellery 

Gurus:Smt. Chitra Vishveshwaran, Smt. Vaijyanti Mala Bali

Dancers: Smt. Rukamani Devi Arundala, Smt. Bala Saraswati

Mode of Presentation:  Allaripu, Jatiswaram, Varnam, Shabdam, Tillana, Mangalam

KATHAK

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Kathak derives from Kathakar means one who tells a story.

 

Place of Origin: Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Stylistic Feature: Pure dance is main feature of Kathak. The knees are not flexed but remain vertical. The style has high degree of technical skill, vigorous foot work and chakars, contains both pure and expressional dance. 

Text: Natya Shastra, Abhinaya Darpana, Poetry of Surdas, Meerabayi, Geet Govind, Tulsidas, etc.

Languages Used:Braj, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit

Music: Hindustani Vocal, Harmonium, Flute, Sitar, Saarangi, Tabla, Jhang, etc.

Costumes Used: Churidaar Kurta (Boys), Blouse and Lehanga (Girls)

Gurus:Pandit Lacchu Maharaj, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Sitara Devi

Dancers: Gopi Krishna, Uma Sharma, Saswati Sen, Rani Khanam

Mode of Presentation:  Vandana, Aamadh, Thaat, Tode, Tukde, Padhant, Tatkaar, Hori, Dhamaar, Sangeet Toda, Thumri, Taraana

MANIPURI

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Gentle dance form but needs tremendous restraint.

 

Place of Origin: Manipur (North-East State of India)

Stylistic Feature: The dance style looks effortless and subtle but needs tremendous control. Maharas, Vasantras, Kunjaras, Nityaras and Divaras are the five raslilas. Difference between tandava and lasya is very evident. 

Text:Govind Sangeet Lila Vilaas, Laikhak Leika Jagoi, Natya Shastra, Etc.

Languages Used:  Sanskrit and Manipuri.

Music:  Sankeetan, Pung, Dholak, Dhol, Khanjuri, Kartal, Mandeela

Costume and Jewellery:  

Female- Rich Embroidered Stiff Skirt called 'Patloi' dark velvet blouse.

Male- White dhotis with white turbans

Gurus and dancers:Amodi Singh, Vipin Singh, Singhjeet Singh, Javeri sisters

Mode of Presentation: Lie Haroba, Khaba Thoibi, Thangta

MOHINIATTAM

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Feminine Dance Form, performed only by woman. Mohini means the 'Enchantress'. 

 

Place Of Origin: Kerala

Stylistic Feature:Lyrical Inequality and gentle in pace. Circular and semi-circular movements, holds the base at the torso. Easy going rise and fall of the body. Knees are spread out and bent with feet wide apart. The arms make wide and large graceful movements.

Text :Hastalakshana Deepika

Language:Malayalam

Music: Sopanam Music. Instruments used Natuvar, Nagaswaram, Vocal, Chanda, Mardalam, Iddaka

Costume and Jewellery:White Silk Saree with Golden Border and Gold Jewellery. Side bun on head with white flowers.

Gurus and Dancers: Guru Smt. Kanal Rele, Kala Mandalam, Satyabhama, Kala Mandalam Leelamma

KUCHIPUDI

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Place of Origin:Andhra Pradesh

Stylistic Features: It has a fine balance between Nritta and Nritya. Movements are rounded with a place for Tandava and Lasya. Vachik Abhinaya is an important aspect. This makes kuchipudi more of a dance drama.

Text and Language:Krishna Leela, Tarangini and various texts in Sanskrit and Telugu Language.

Music:Carnatic Classical Music, Natu Vanar, Vocalist, Mridangam, Violin and Flute.

Costume and Jewellery: Costume is similar to that of Bharatnatyam but little more elaborated. Jewellery is Golden.

Gurus and Dancers:Guru Vedantam Satya, Narayan Sharma, Guru Vimputi Chinh Satyam

KATHAKALI

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Katha means Story and 'Kali' means play. Kathakali means a story play or a dance drama.

 

Place of Origin: Kerala (South-West of India)

Stylistic Feature: in contrast to other dance forms, muscles specially facial muscles play very important role. Dancers follow a geometric pattern like square or rectangle in a position called 'Mandala Sthana'. Jumps, leaps, spirals and sweepds are used. But the facial movement described in Natya Shastra is very unique to this style. Abhinaya is the main feature. 

Text and Language: Natyashastra, Abhinaya Darpan, Bali Vijayam

Music:Sopanam Music from Kerala and Carnatic Music.

Instruments:Chanda, Mardalam, Ittalam, Iddakka, Drums

Costume and Jewellery: Huge Skirts with several ornaments, elaborate makeup according to character.

Mode of Presentation: Attakathas, Kalasam, Arades.

Gurus and Dancers: Guru Raman Gutti Nayar, Guru Kalamandalam Gopi, Kalamandalam Nayar, Guru Sadanam Balakrishnan.

SATTRIYA

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It is the earliest dance form of Assam. It was performed by the devdasis in the temples of Lord Shiva. The dance form evolved in the 15th and 16th century when the Vaishava Saint Shri Shankar Deva composed dance, drama and songs.

 

Style: It is forceful with acrobatic elements but devotional in nature.

Text : Kalika Puran and other texts. 

Language:Assamese

Instruments: Sankari Sangeet Instrument, Khol, Drums and Cymbols

Costume:Loose Skirts, Blouse, Sash and Veil.

Mode of Presentation:Suta Dharnach, Krishna Nach, Ras Nach, Yudha Nach

Gurus: Moniram Dutta, Rasheshwar Saikia