India is a country rich in cultural heritage and diversity, and dance is an integral part of its cultural expression. There are various types of dances in India, each with its unique style, technique, and cultural significance. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular types of dances in India and their features.
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Bharatanatyam - Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form that originated in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a dance form that is characterized by precise footwork, intricate hand gestures, and facial expressions. Bharatanatyam is a storytelling dance form that uses movements and gestures to convey mythological stories and religious themes. It is often performed by women and requires years of training to master.
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Kathakali - Kathakali is another classical dance form that originated in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is a dance form that is known for its elaborate costumes, makeup, and facial expressions. Kathakali is a dance-drama that often tells stories from Hindu mythology and uses exaggerated movements and facial expressions to convey emotions and characters.
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Bhangra - Bhangra is a folk dance form that originated in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab. It is a lively and energetic dance form that is often performed during harvest festivals and weddings. Bhangra is characterized by its upbeat music, drumming, and acrobatic movements.
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Garba - Garba is a folk dance form that originated in the western Indian state of Gujarat. It is a dance form that is performed during the Navratri festival and is characterized by its circular movements, vibrant costumes, and traditional music. Garba is a community dance form that is often performed in large groups.
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Manipuri - Manipuri is a classical dance form that originated in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur. It is a dance form that is known for its graceful movements, gentle footwork, and delicate hand gestures. Manipuri is a storytelling dance form that often depicts stories from Hindu mythology and uses intricate movements to convey emotions and characters.
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Kathak - Kathak is a classical dance form that originated in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is a dance form that is characterized by its complex footwork, spins, and movements. Kathak is a storytelling dance form that often depicts stories from Hindu mythology and uses intricate hand gestures and facial expressions to convey emotions and characters.
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Mohiniyattam - Mohiniyattam is a classical dance form that originated in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is a dance form that is characterized by its graceful movements, soft footwork, and flowing costumes. Mohiniyattam is a storytelling dance form that often depicts stories from Hindu mythology and uses intricate hand gestures and facial expressions to convey emotions and characters.
List of Classical Dances in India
- Bharatanatyam - Tamil Nadu
- Kathakali - Kerala
- Kathak - Uttar Pradesh
- Manipuri - Manipur
- Odissi - Odisha
- Kuchipudi - Andhra Pradesh
- Sattriya - Assam
- Mohiniyattam - Kerala
List of Folk Dances in India
- Bhangra - Punjab
- Garba - Gujarat
- Lavani - Maharashtra
- Bihu - Assam
- Chhau - Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha
- Dandiya Raas - Gujarat, Rajasthan
- Giddha - Punjab
- Ghoomar - Rajasthan
- Jhumar - Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh
- Koli - Maharashtra, Gujarat
- Kud - Jammu and Kashmir
- Rauf - Jammu and Kashmir
- Sambalpuri - Odisha
- Kalbelia - Rajasthan
- Dhol - Himachal Pradesh
List of Folk Music In India
- Bhangra - Punjab
- Rajasthani folk music - Rajasthan
- Baul - West Bengal
- Garba - Gujarat
- Lavani - Maharashtra
- Bihu - Assam
- Ghazal - Uttar Pradesh
- Qawwali - Punjab
- Kirtan - Maharashtra
- Sufi - Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh
- Haryanvi music - Haryana
- Kumaoni music - Uttarakhand
- Himachali music - Himachal Pradesh
- Kashmiri music - Jammu and Kashmir
- Naga music - Nagaland
List of Musical Instruments & Players In India
- Sitar - Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Anoushka Shankar
- Tabla - Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Kishan Maharaj, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee
- Sarod - Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash
- Flute - Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Naveen Kumar, Ronu Majumdar
- Shehnai - Ustad Bismillah Khan, Ali Ahmed Hussain Khan
- Violin - Dr. L. Subramaniam, Kala Ramnath, Ganesh-Kumaresh
- Harmonium - Pt. Tulsidas Borkar, Sajan Mishra, Rajan-Sajan Mishra
- Santoor - Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pt. Bhajan Sopori, Abhay Rustum Sopori
- Veena - Emani Sankara Sastry, Rajhesh Vaidhya
- Mridangam - Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman, Palghat Mani Iyer, T. V. Gopalakrishnan
List of Hindustani Music Gharanas in India
- Gwalior Gharana - Founded by Nanthu Khan in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
- Kirana Gharana - Founded by Abdul Karim Khan in Kirana, Uttar Pradesh
- Patiala Gharana - Founded by Ali Baksh and Fateh Ali Khan in Patiala, Punjab
- Agra Gharana - Founded by Ghagge Khuda Baksh and Haddu Khan in Agra, Uttar Pradesh
- Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana - Founded by Inayat Hussain Khan in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh
- Jaipur Gharana - Founded by Ustad Alladiya Khan in Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Mewati Gharana - Founded by Ghagge Nazir Khan in Mewat, Haryana
- Banaras Gharana - Founded by Acharya Brahaspati in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Bhendi Bazar Gharana - Founded by Sajjad Hussain in Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Farukhabad Gharana - Founded by Haji Vilayat Ali Khan in Farukhabad, Uttar Pradesh
List of Famous Vocal and respective Vocalists
- Pandit Bhimsen Joshi - Hindustani classical vocalist
- M. S. Subbulakshmi - Carnatic classical vocalist
- Pandit Jasraj - Hindustani classical vocalist
- Lata Mangeshkar - Playback singer
- Kishori Amonkar - Hindustani classical vocalist
- M. Balamuralikrishna - Carnatic classical vocalist
- Pandit Kumar Gandharva - Hindustani classical vocalist
- Ustad Rashid Khan - Hindustani classical vocalist
- Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna - Carnatic classical vocalist
- S. Janaki - Playback singer
- Shreya Ghoshal - Playback singer
- Hariharan - Playback singer
- Bombay Jayashri - Carnatic classical vocalist
- Kaushiki Chakraborty - Hindustani classical vocalist
- Sudha Raghunathan - Carnatic classical vocalist
Famous Personalities of Classical Dances and Music in India
- Pandit Birju Maharaj - Kathak dancer and choreographer
- Sonal Mansingh - Odissi dancer and choreographer
- Ustad Bismillah Khan - Shehnai player and composer
- Pandit Ravi Shankar - Sitar player and composer
- Mallika Sarabhai - Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer
- Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia - Flute player and composer
- Ustad Zakir Hussain - Tabla player and composer
- Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma - Santoor player and composer
- Dr. L. Subramaniam - Violinist and composer
- Shovana Narayan - Kathak dancer and choreographer
- Alarmel Valli - Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer
- Uma Sharma - Kathak dancer and choreographer
- Pandit Jasraj - Hindustani classical vocalist
- M. S. Subbulakshmi - Carnatic classical vocalist
- Ustad Amjad Ali Khan - Sarod player and composer
Famous personalities of folk dances in india
- Gopi Krishna - Bhangra dancer
- Mayurbhanj Chhau dancers - Laxmidhar Rout, Kailash Chandra Sahoo, and Pankaj Charan Das
- Shambhu Maharaj - Kathak dancer and choreographer
- Raja and Radha Reddy - Kuchipudi dancers and choreographers
- Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra - Odissi dancer and choreographer
- Jodha Bai - Kalbelia dancer and singer
- Ghulam Mohammed Sheikh - Ghoomar dancer and choreographer
- Prahlad Tipanya - Bhajan and folk singer
- Sonam Kalra - Sufi and folk singer
- Kailash Kher - Folk and Sufi singer
- Sabri Brothers - Qawwali singers
- Teejan Bai - Pandavani artist and performer
- Thota Vaikuntam - Telangana folk artist and painter
- Paban Das Baul - Baul singer and musician
- Birju Maharaj - Bhangra and other folk dances
Exercise -1
- Which of the following is not a classical dance form in India?
a) Kathak
b) Bhangra
c) Bharatanatyam
d) Kuchipudi
Answer: b) Bhangra - Who is known as the "Sitar maestro" in India?
a) Pandit Birju Maharaj
b) Pandit Ravi Shankar
c) Ustad Bismillah Khan
d) Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
Answer: b) Pandit Ravi Shankar - Which of the following is a percussion instrument used in Indian classical music?
a) Tabla
b) Sitar
c) Santoor
d) Violin
Answer: a) Tabla - Which of the following is a Hindustani classical vocalist?
a) Mallika Sarabhai
b) Alarmel Valli
c) Pandit Jasraj
d) Sonal Mansingh
Answer: c) Pandit Jasraj - Which of the following is a Carnatic classical vocalist?
a) M. S. Subbulakshmi
b) Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia
c) Ustad Zakir Hussain
d) Dr. L. Subramaniam
Answer: a) M. S. Subbulakshmi - Which of the following is a classical dance form from Manipur?
a) Kuchipudi
b) Kathak
c) Manipuri
d) Mohiniyattam
Answer: c) Manipuri - Who is known as the "Shehnai maestro" in India?
a) Ustad Zakir Hussain
b) Pandit Ravi Shankar
c) Ustad Bismillah Khan
d) Pandit Jasraj
Answer: c) Ustad Bismillah Khan - Which of the following is a classical dance form from Andhra Pradesh?
a) Kuchipudi
b) Kathakali
c) Odissi
d) Sattriya
Answer: a) Kuchipudi - Who is known as the "Tabla maestro" in India?
a) Ustad Zakir Hussain
b) Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia
c) Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma
d) Dr. L. Subramaniam
Answer: a) Ustad Zakir Hussain - Which of the following is a percussion instrument used in Carnatic classical music?
a) Tabla
b) Mridangam
c) Sarod
d) Santoor
Answer: b) Mridangam
Exercise -2
- Who is known as the "Nightingale of India"?
a) M. S. Subbulakshmi
b) Lata Mangeshkar
c) Asha Bhosle
d) Kishori Amonkar
Answer: b) Lata Mangeshkar - Which of the following is a classical dance form from Kerala?
a) Kathakali
b) Kuchipudi
c) Bharatanatyam
d) Manipuri
Answer: a) Kathakali - Who is known as the "Bharatanatyam maestro" in India?
a) Pandit Birju Maharaj
b) Pandit Ravi Shankar
c) Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
d) Padma Subrahmanyam
Answer: d) Padma Subrahmanyam - Which of the following is a Hindustani classical instrumentalist?
a) Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
b) Dr. N. Rajam
c) Pandit Birju Maharaj
d) Mallika Sarabhai
Answer: a) Ustad Amjad Ali Khan - Which of the following is a classical dance form from Assam?
a) Sattriya
b) Kathakali
c) Kuchipudi
d) Bharatanatyam
Answer: a) Sattriya - Who is known as the "Queen of Thumri" in India?
a) Shubha Mudgal
b) Girija Devi
c) Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande
d) Kishori Amonkar
Answer: b) Girija Devi - Which of the following is a percussion instrument used in Sattriya classical music?
a) Mridangam
b) Tabla
c) Khol
d) Pakhawaj
Answer: c) Khol - Who is known as the "Kathak maestro" in India?
a) Birju Maharaj
b) Sonal Mansingh
c) Malavika Sarukkai
d) Raja Reddy
Answer: a) Birju Maharaj - Which of the following is a Carnatic classical instrumentalist?
a) Ustad Zakir Hussain
b) Dr. N. Rajam
c) Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
d) Dr. L. Subramaniam
Answer: d) Dr. L. Subramaniam - Which of the following is a classical dance form from Tamil Nadu?
a) Kuchipudi
b) Odissi
c) Mohiniyattam
d) Bharatanatyam
Answer: d) Bharatanatyam
