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Dance does not often leave behind clearly identifiable physical artifacts that last over millennia, such as stone tools, hunting implements or cave paintings. It is not possible to say when dance became part of human culture.
Archeology ( the science that studies human cultures through the recovery, documentation, analysis, and interpretation of material culture and environmental data, including architecture, artifacts, biofacts, and landscapes. Archaeology aims to understand humankind through these humanistic endeavors.) delivers traces of dance from prehistoric times such as the 9,000 year old Bhimbetka rock shelters paintings in India and Egyptian tomb paintings depicting dancing figures from circa 3300 BC. |
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The dance heritage of India is at least 5000 years old. A dancing girl figurine was found in the ruins of Mohenjodaro and is dated approximately 2nd Century B.C. Many group dancing sequences are depicted in exquisite rock paintings of Bhimbetaka caves of Madhya Pradesh. The apsaras (Celestials) dancers are carved at the gateways of Sanchi. The wall paintings of Ajanta and Ellora, the sculptures of Khajuraho, the temple walls of Hoysala dynasty, stand ample evidence for popularity of Indian dances from ancient times.
Through the centuries the dances have been used as a vehicle of worship and expression of emotions in India. The temple dancers (Devadasis) have led very austere lives in order to perform sacred dances to please Gods and Goddesses. The Devadasi system is still prevalent in some states of India. In Karnataka they are dedicated to the Goddess Yellamma of Savadatti. In Orissa, they are appointed to perform various activities of the temple. |
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The Indian classical dance has its origin in the temples where it was used to illustrate the Hindu mythologies.This art was performed in the temples by the Devadasis, ladies who dedicated themselves to God. With the passage of time, this form of art was used both as a means to worship God and a way to express one's emotion or state of mind.
This form of art is based on the Natya Shastra, written by Sage Bharata. The supreme manifestation of the Indian dance is Lord Shiva, also referred as Lord Nataraja.
All dance forms follow the same gestures or hasta mudras for each of these rasas. The major schools of classical dance in India are Kathak, Manipuri, Odissi, Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipudi , Kathakali and Mohiniattam, apart from the Folk and Tribal dances. |
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Classical dance in India is thousands of years old. There are many kinds of dance, each with some form of religious background. All forms of classical dance are based on detailed rules and systemised sequences of movements as laid down in the Bharata Natya Sastra, the ancient book on dance and music and drama. This book was possibly written by Bharat Muni, and has been variously dated between the second century BC and the fifth century AD. This dances convey meaning using every part of the body, like Eyes, hands, legs, feet, and face come together in the dance and music to set a mood and tell a story.
The main styles of Indian classical dances are as follow.,
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- Kathak belongs to North India, and emphasises the telling of stories with the help of mime and body technique. It is danced by both sexes.
- Bharatanatyam is the major style of South India, and derives its name from the Bharata Natya Sastra. It is a highly stylized dance using much gesture (mudra) language. It is performed by both sexes.
- Kathakali is from South-West India (State of Kerala) and is a classical dance-drama using elaborate head-dresses and painted make-up. It is traditionally performed by men only.
- Mohiniattam is also from Kerala, and is a solo dance performed by women only, using the techniques of Bharatanatyam and Kathakali.
- Manipuri is a graceful dance style performed by both men and women, from the tiny state of Manipur in North-east India.
- Odissi (or Orissi) is based on the famous sculptures of Orissa State in South East India, and is performed by both sexes.
- Kuchipudi is a classical dance-drama sometimes performed as a solo female dance, from the village of Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh State, East India.
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Folk dance
There is a great variety of forms which are the collective traditions of each part of the sub-continent. They are danced for recreation and enjoyment, as well as in celebration of seasonal and social festivals. Some of the folk dances which are popular in the Nottingham and Leicester areas are as follows. |
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From Gujarat State
- Garba - a clap dance performed in a circle, danced mainly on the Nine Nights festival (Navratri) in praise of the Goddess Amba (Amba Mata). It is traditionally danced by women only, although this is now changing.
- "Dandya Ras" - a stick dance performed to songs in praise of Lord Krishna, also danced in a circle, traditionally by men only.
From the State of Punjab
- Bhangra - a harvest dance performed mainly by men, incorporating individual displays of strength and energy.
- Giddha - a graceful women's dance performed at social gatherings such as marriages.
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