The classical dances of India
Eight dance forms recognised as classical by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, each rooted in the Natya Shastra and a home region.
What the paper can ask
- Natya Shastra, attributed to Bharata Muni, is the root text; nritta, nritya and natya are the three performance categories.
- Bharatanatyam: the temple form Sadiraattam was banned in Madras in 1910 and revived in the 1930s; its margam runs from Alarippu to Tillana; debut is the arangetram.
- Kathak: four gharanas, Lucknow, Jaipur, Banaras (traditionally the oldest) and Raigarh; tatkar footwork, ghungroo and whirling turns.
- Odissi: tribhanga and chauka postures; temple dancers (maharis) and boy dancers (gotipuas); Manchapuri cave carvings date to the 1st or 2nd century BCE.
- Kuchipudi: named after a village; traditionally all-male troupes; recitals in Telugu with Carnatic music; kavutvams balance pots on the head.
- Sattriya: grew from Ankiya Nat plays in the sattras; once performed only by monks (bhokots); recognised as the eighth classical dance in 2000.
Why exams ask
Which state each dance belongs to, who revived it, which text or saint it draws on, and the gharanas are asked every year.
The full story
India's classical dances trace their theory to the Natya Shastra, the Sanskrit treatise attributed to Bharata Muni, and mix nritta (pure dance), nritya (expressive storytelling) and natya (drama).
In the news
Test yourself
1.Sattriya dance was systematised as a devotional art centred on Krishna by which saint-poet?
Correct. Sankaradeva (15th-16th century) of Assam systematised Sattriya, performed in Vaishnava monasteries called Sattras.
Not quite. Sankaradeva (15th-16th century) of Assam systematised Sattriya, performed in Vaishnava monasteries called Sattras. It goes into your error book.
2.The village of Kuchipudi, birthplace of the classical dance form, is in which state?
Correct. Kuchipudi village lies in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh; Kuchipudi dance is associated with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Not quite. Kuchipudi village lies in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh; Kuchipudi dance is associated with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It goes into your error book.
3.Who is traditionally credited with systematising Kuchipudi, after writing the play Parijatapaharanam?
Correct. Siddhendra Yogi, disciple of Tirtha Narayanayati, is credited with systematising Kuchipudi and training young Brahmin boys at Kuchelapuram.
Not quite. Siddhendra Yogi, disciple of Tirtha Narayanayati, is credited with systematising Kuchipudi and training young Brahmin boys at Kuchelapuram. It goes into your error book.