Indian classical dance is an umbrella term for

various codified art forms rooted in Natya

Sasthra and sacred Hindu musical theatre styles

Indian classical dances are those performed inside

the sanctum of temple and performed in royal courts

to the accompaniment of classical music

CLASSICAL DANCE FOLK DANCE

Themes based on epic and myths.

Based on everyday life joy and sorrows

Mainly solo performance Participants not limited

Audience does not participate

They can participate

Dress is elaborate and elegant in ornamentation

Simple but colorful

Accompanied by classical and musical instrument

Folk music less emphasis on instruments

Based on Natya sastra No rule at all

DANCE FORM STATE OF ORIGIN

Bharatanatyam Tamil Nadu

Kathak Uttar Pradesh

Kathakali Kerala

Kuchipudi Andhra Pradesh

Manipuri Manipur

Mohiniyattam Kerala

Odissi Odisha

Sattriya Assam

According to Sangeethnadak Academy India have 8 classical dance forms. They are

Bharata Natyam is known for its grace, purity, tenderness, and sculpturesque poses.

In ancient times it was performed as dasiattam by mandira Devadasis and Lord Shiva is considered the God of this dance form.

Many of the ancient sculptures in Hindu temples are based on Bharata Natyam dance postures

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It places upon the Tribhangi (three parts break), the independent movement of head, chest and pelvis

This dance is characterised by various Bhangas (Stance), which involves stamping of the foot and striking various postures as seen in Indian sculptures

A short (23 second) Odissi dance scene was featured in Michael Jackson's music video of Black or White.

KATHAKALI

The dance drama on the life and activities of Lord Krishna created by Sri Manavedan Raja and it noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes

It identified with detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion.

The kathakali plays known as Attakathas traditionally there are 101 classical Kathakali stories

Kuchipudi dancers are quicksilver and scintillating, rounded and fleet-footed, they perform with grace and fluid movements.

Dance is accompanied by song which is typically Carnatic music. The singer is accompanied by mridangam , violin, flute and tambura

Ornaments worn by the artists are generally made of a lightweight wood called Boorugu and Siddhendra Yogi redefined the dance form.

Manipuri dance is purely religious and its aim is a spiritual experience and the cult of Radha and Krishna, particularly the raslila is central theme

From the religious point of view it is not only to be one of the most chastest, modest, softest and mildest but the most meaningful dances of the world.

Movements of the body and feet and facial expressions in Manipuri dance are subtle and aim at devotion and grace.

ELAM INDIRA DEVI

The structure of a conventional Kathak performance tends to follow a progression in tempo from slow to fast, ending with a dramatic climax.

There are three major schools or gharana of Kathak : the gharanas of Jaipur,Lucknow and Varanasi

From the 16th century onwards it absorbed certain features of Persian dance and central Asian dance which were imported by the royal courts of the Mughal era

In the year 2000, the Sattriya dances of Assam received recognition as one of the eight classical dance forms of India

The core of Sattriya Nritya was an artistic way of presenting mythological teachings to the people in an accessible, immediate, and enjoyable manner.

Srimanta Sankardev and Madhavdev created Sattriya Nrityais dance form has remained a living tradition in Assam's Vaishnava monasteries.

It is considered a very graceful form of dance meant to be performed as solo recitals by women, Mohini means a maiden who steal the heart of the spectator

The costume includes white sari embroidered with bright golden brocade (kasavu) at the edges. The dance follows the classical text of Hastha Lakshanadeepika

There are two stories of the Lord Vishnu disguised as a Mohini. In one, he appears as Mohini to lure the asuras away from the amrita and to save Lord Shiva from the demon Bhasmasura