This document summarizes several classical and folk dances of India, including Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Gaur dance, Bhangra, Garba, Hurka Baul, and Brita Dance. For each dance, it provides information on the state or region it is from, its origins and history, and key features of the dance's style and performance. The document was submitted by Mohit Gupta as part of a class project on the performing arts of India.

1. Performing arts
of India
Classical and
Folk dances.
SUBMITTED BY: MOHIT GUPTA
ROLLNO:CUHP14MBA(TT)09

2. Kathak
STATE: NORTH INDIA (U.P, RAJSTHAN)
ORIGIN: Derived from the word katha, meaning "the art of
storytelling.“
• During medieval rulers and Nawabs, a class of dancing girls and
courtesans emerged to entertain the palaces and courts.
• Slowly and gradually Gharanas or schools of Kathak emerged. The
Jaipur Gharana and Lucknow Gharana are few of them.
FEATURES:
• It is largely based on episodes from the epics, myths and legends.
• Mime and gestures were perhaps added later on to make the
recitation more effective.

4. Bharatnatyam
STATE: Tamil Nadu
ORIGIN: Dance is considered to be over 2000 years old. Several texts
beginning with Bharata Muni's Natya Shastra provide information
on this dance form.
FEATURES:
• The Abhinaya Darpana by Nandikesvara is one of the main sources
of textual material, for the study of the technique and grammar of
body movement in Bharatnatyam Dance.
• This dance form is dedicated to the Lord Shiva.

6. Kathakali
STATE: KERLA
ORIGIN: word Kathakali literally means "Story-Play”. Mattancheri
temple of approximately 16th century depicts the square and
rectangular basic positions of Kathakali.
FEATURES:
• The dance aspect of Kathakali consists of pure dance (nritya) as
well as mime (abhinaya).
• Kathakali is the only Indian dance form in which the entire body,
both skeleton and muscles, down to even the smallest facial muscle
are used to portray emotion.

8. Kuchipudi
STATE: ANDHRA PRADESH
ORIGIN:
• Kuchipudi derives its name from the Kuchipudi village of Andhra
Pradesh in 17th century.
• Kuchipudi exhibits scenes from the Hindu Epics, legends and
mythological tales through a combination of music, dance and acting.
FEATURES:
It is the use of speech that distinguishes Kuchipudi's presentation as
dance and drama from others .
• Kuchipudi was not a solo affair and required a number of performers.
• The director (called Sutradhar) played the most important role.

10. Odissi
STATE: ORISSA
ORIGIN: Archaeological evidence of this dance form dating back to
the 2nd century B.C. is found in the caves of Udayagiri and
Khandagiri near Bhubneshwar.
• The magnificent Sun Temple at Konarak, built in the 13th century,
with its Natya mandap or Hall of dance, marks the culmination of
the temple building activity in Orissa.
FEATURES:
• Odissi is a dance of love, joy and intense passion.
• Odissi too had its origin in the Devadasi tradition.

12. FOLK DANCES OF INDIA

13. Gaur dance
STATE: MADHYA PRADESH
FEATURES:
• Gaur dance is popular in the Sing Marias or Tallaguda Marias of
South Bastar.
• Men put head-dresses with stringed 'cowries' and plumes of peacock
feathers .
• Women ornamented with brass fillets and bead necklaces with their
tattooed bodies also join the gathering.
• The men beat the drums, tossing the horns and feathers of their
head-gears to the rising tempo that gives the dance a wilder touch

15. Bhangra
STATE : PUNJAB
FEATURES:
– Bhangra is one of the most popular and energetic dances of India.
Bhangra is performed by men folks during Baisakhi.
– It is among the most energetic and captivating dances of India and
includes tricks and athletic feats.
– During the Bhangra performance the drummer is surrounded by
men dressed in lungis and turbans.

17. Garba
STATE: GUJRAT
FEATURES:
• Garba is the leading dance of women in Gujrat
• The Garba dance is associated with the fertility cult
• The Garba dance is performed throughout nine nights of Navaratri,
an autumn festival.
• Women folk come out into the open and dance in a simple and
circular motion, in honor of the Goddess Durga.

19. Hurka Baul
STATE: Uttaranchal
FEATURES:
• The Hurka Baul dance is performed during the cultivation of paddy
and maize.
• The name of the dance is derived from Hurka, the drum which is the
only musical accompaniment and baul, the song.
• In the Hurka Baul dance the singer narrates the story of battles and
heroic deeds, the performers enter from two opposite sides and enact
the stories in a series of crisp movements

21. Brita Dance
STATE: West Bengal
FEATURES:
• Brita dance is one of the most popular folk dances of Bengal.
• Usually the barren women of the region perform the Brita dance to
invoke the blessings of the Gods so that their wishes are fulfilled.
• Traditionally this dance is performed after a person recovers from a
contagious disease like small pox.
• The performers wear a mask, purified by mantras and dances to the
accompaniment of a sword.

23. THANKS