Indian Art, Culture, Dance, Music and Heritage · Chapter 1

Classical Dances of India

What to remember

Eight classical dances are recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam and Sattriya. Each belongs to one home State and follows rules from the Natya Shastra tradition.
Kuchipudi is the classical dance of Andhra Pradesh, linked to Siddhendra Yogi and the village of Kuchipudi, and is famous for the Tarangam (dance on a brass plate).
Match three things for every form: State, special feature (costume, music or technique) and the famous gurus.

The base: Natya Shastra and basic terms

The Natya Shastra is the oldest surviving text on drama, dance and music. It is attributed to the sage Bharata Muni.
Dance is divided into three types.
Nritta: pure dance with rhythm and movement, with no meaning.
Nritya: dance that expresses feelings and ideas through gestures and facial expression.
Natya: drama with story and dialogue, using dance.
Four types of abhinaya (expression): Angika (body and limbs), Vachika (speech and song), Aharya (costume and make-up) and Satvika (inner feeling).
Two styles: Tandava is the vigorous, masculine style linked to Shiva. Lasya is the soft, graceful style linked to Parvati.
Mudras are hand gestures. They are of two kinds: single-hand (asamyuta) and double-hand (samyuta). A well-known text on gestures is the Abhinaya Darpana, attributed to Nandikeshvara.
Nine rasas (moods): Shringara (love), Hasya (humour), Karuna (pity), Raudra (anger), Veera (heroism), Bhayanaka (fear), Bibhatsa (disgust), Adbhuta (wonder) and Shanta (peace).
The Sangeet Natak Akademi, set up in 1952, is the national academy for music, dance and drama. It gives classical status to dance forms. Sattriya was added to the list in 2000.

Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu)

The most widely practised classical dance. It was kept alive by temple dancers called Devadasis.
The four Tanjore brothers (Chinnayya, Ponnayya, Sivanandam and Vadivelu) shaped the modern order of items in the 19th century.
Rukmini Devi Arundale revived the dance and set up the Kalakshetra in 1936 at Chennai. Balasaraswati was a great performer of the Devadasi tradition.
Technique: the half-sitting posture called araimandi; basic steps called adavus; strong lines and a straight spine.
Items in a recital (the margam): Alarippu, Jathiswaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Padam, Javali and Tillana.
Music: Carnatic. Famous names: Rukmini Devi, Balasaraswati, Padma Subrahmanyam, Yamini Krishnamurthy and Mrinalini Sarabhai.

Kathak (North India)

The word comes from katha, meaning story. The Kathakars were story-tellers in temples of North India.
It later developed in the courts of the Mughals, so it has both Hindu and Persian influence. Spinning turns (chakkars), fast footwork and a plain, straight posture are its marks.
It has no fixed hand-gesture rules as strict as Bharatanatyam; footwork with ankle bells (ghungroo) is central.
Terms: tatkar (basic footwork), tukra (short rhythmic piece), tihai (pattern repeated three times ending on the first beat), gat (a short story piece).
Gharanas (schools): Jaipur, Lucknow, Banaras and Raigarh.
Famous names: Birju Maharaj (Lucknow gharana), Shambhu Maharaj, Lachhu Maharaj, Sitara Devi and Kumudini Lakhia.
It is danced in Hindustani music and tabla accompaniment.

Kathakali (Kerala)

A dance-drama with no spoken words. The actors express everything through gestures, facial expression and eyes. Singers stand at the side and sing the story.
It tells stories from the epics and the Puranas.
Make-up and colours show character type:
Pacha (green): noble heroes and gods.
Kathi (knife): proud and evil heroes, such as Ravana.
Thadi (beard): red, white and black beard types.
Kari (black): demonesses and forest dwellers.
Minukku (polished): women and sages.
Instruments: Chenda and Maddalam. The huge skirt, tall crown and face mask-like make-up are special features.
The poet Vallathol founded the Kerala Kalamandalam in 1930, which trains Kathakali and other arts.

Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh)

Named after the village of Kuchipudi. The dance-drama tradition is traced to Siddhendra Yogi (about the 15th century), who composed the dance-drama Bhamakalapam.
It began as an all-male tradition by Brahmin families, who played women's roles too. Later women took up the art.
It uses Telugu for songs and dialogue and blends Lasya and Tandava. Dance, song and acting go together.
The famous special item is Tarangam: the dancer stands on the rim of a brass plate and moves it with her feet while holding a pot of water on her head.
Other items: Jatiswaram, Shabdam, Kirtana and Tillana.
It is danced to Carnatic music. Related to the Bhagavata Mela tradition of Tamil Nadu, but Kuchipudi is Telugu.
Famous names: Vempati Chinna Satyam, Vedantam Satyanarayana Sarma, Raja and Radha Reddy, Yamini Krishnamurthy and Swapna Sundari.

Odissi (Odisha)

One of the oldest forms. The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri and the sculptures of the Konark temple show dance poses.
Dancers in temples were called Maharis. Boys dressed as girls, called Gotipuas, also danced.
Special pose: Tribhanga, in which the body bends at the neck, torso and knees. Another pose is Chauka, a square stance.
Items: Mangalacharana, Batu, Pallavi, Abhinaya and Mokhsha. The songs of Jayadeva's Gita Govinda are often used.
Famous names: Kelucharan Mohapatra, Pankaj Charan Das, Sanjukta Panigrahi, Sonal Mansingh, Madhavi Mudgal and Protima Gauri.

Manipuri (Manipur)

Linked to Vaishnavism and the Raslila of Radha and Krishna. Movements are soft and flowing; the body moves in curves. The feet do not strike the ground hard.
The women wear a stiff skirt called Kumil. The Pung (a drum) and the Pung cholom are famous.
It also has older roots in the ritual festival Lai Haraoba.
Guru Bipin Singh, the Jhaveri sisters (Nayana, Ranjana, Suverna and Darshana) and Rajkumar Singhajit Singh made it known across the country.
Rabindranath Tagore helped bring the form to a wider audience at Santiniketan.

Mohiniyattam (Kerala)

"Dance of the enchantress" (Mohini, the female form of Vishnu). It is a solo female dance in the Lasya style.
Movements are slow, swaying and gentle. The costume is a white and gold sari (kasavu). The hair bun is placed to the side.
It developed in temples and in the court of Swathi Thirunal, the ruler and composer of Travancore.
Famous names: Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, Kanak Rele, Bharati Shivaji and Sunanda Nair.

Sattriya (Assam)

Created by the saint-reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva in the 15th century as part of the Vaishnava faith. It was performed in Sattras (monasteries) by monks (bhokots).
Linked to the Ankiya Nat (one-act plays) and Bhaona (theatre). Music includes the Borgeet songs, the Khol drum and cymbals.
Gained classical status in 2000.
Famous names: Maniram Dutta Muktiyar, Jatin Goswami and Indira P. P. Bora.

Comparison table

Dance	State	Special feature	Famous names
Bharatanatyam	Tamil Nadu	Araimandi, adavus, Devadasi tradition	Rukmini Devi, Balasaraswati
Kathak	Uttar Pradesh and North India	Chakkars, footwork, story-telling	Birju Maharaj, Sitara Devi
Kathakali	Kerala	Face colours, no spoken words	Vallathol (Kalamandalam)
Kuchipudi	Andhra Pradesh	Tarangam on brass plate	Vempati Chinna Satyam
Odissi	Odisha	Tribhanga	Kelucharan Mohapatra
Manipuri	Manipur	Raslila, soft curves	Bipin Singh, Jhaveri sisters
Mohiniyattam	Kerala	Solo female, kasavu sari	Kalyanikutty Amma
Sattriya	Assam	Sattras, Sankaradeva	Maniram Dutta Muktiyar

Kathakali make-up table

Type	Meaning
Pacha	Noble, god-like
Kathi	Proud, evil
Thadi	Bearded roles
Kari	Demonic
Minukku	Gentle: women and sages

Exam traps

1. Kuchipudi vs Bharatanatyam: Kuchipudi is Andhra Pradesh and has Tarangam; Bharatanatyam is Tamil Nadu.
2. Kathakali vs Mohiniyattam: both are from Kerala, but Kathakali is male-heavy and vigorous; Mohiniyattam is female and soft.
3. Kathak is North Indian; it is the only classical dance with Mughal-court influence.
4. Sattriya is from Assam; Manipuri is from Manipur. Both are Vaishnava in spirit.
5. Rukmini Devi (Kalakshetra, 1936) is linked to Bharatanatyam; Vallathol (Kalamandalam, 1930) is linked to Kerala forms.
6. Tribhanga is Odissi. Araimandi is Bharatanatyam.
7. Chhau is a martial folk-and-tribal dance, not one of the eight classical forms.
8. Nritta has no meaning; nritya expresses meaning.

One-liners

1. The Natya Shastra is attributed to Bharata Muni.
2. The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognises eight classical dances.
3. Kuchipudi comes from Andhra Pradesh.
4. Tarangam is a Kuchipudi item danced on a brass plate.
5. Siddhendra Yogi is linked to the Kuchipudi tradition.
6. Bharatanatyam belongs to Tamil Nadu.
7. Kathak was shaped in Hindu temples and Mughal courts.
8. Kathakali is Kerala's dance-drama without spoken words.
9. Odissi uses the Tribhanga pose.
10. Manipuri is linked to Raslila.
11. Mohiniyattam is a solo female dance of Kerala.
12. Sattriya was founded by Sankaradeva and got classical status in 2000.

Practice questions

How many classical dance forms are recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi?
1. Five
2. Six
3. Eight
4. Twelve
Answer
C. Eight
The eight forms are Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam and Sattriya.
Kuchipudi is the classical dance of which State?
1. Odisha
2. Kerala
3. Tamil Nadu
4. Andhra Pradesh
Answer
D. Andhra Pradesh
It is named after the village of Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh.
Bharatanatyam belongs to which State?
1. Telangana
2. Tamil Nadu
3. Karnataka
4. Assam
Answer
B. Tamil Nadu
Bharatanatyam is the classical dance of Tamil Nadu.
Kathakali, the dance-drama without spoken words, belongs to
1. Kerala
2. Gujarat
3. Punjab
4. Manipur
Answer
A. Kerala
Kathakali is a dance-drama of Kerala.
The Tribhanga pose is a feature of
1. Kathak
2. Odissi
3. Manipuri
4. Sattriya
Answer
B. Odissi
Tribhanga bends the body at neck, torso and knees in Odissi.
Raslila of Radha and Krishna is closely linked to which classical dance?
1. Manipuri
2. Odissi
3. Kathakali
4. Bharatanatyam
Answer
A. Manipuri
Manipuri grew from Vaishnava Raslila.
Sattriya was created by which saint-reformer?
1. Purandara Dasa
2. Siddhendra Yogi
3. Jayadeva
4. Srimanta Sankaradeva
Answer
D. Srimanta Sankaradeva
Sankaradeva created it for Assamese Sattras in the 15th century.
Tarangam, a special item, is danced on
1. A wooden log
2. A bamboo pole
3. A brass plate
4. A bed of sand
Answer
C. A brass plate
The Kuchipudi dancer moves on the rim of a brass plate.
The Natya Shastra is attributed to
1. Nandikeshvara
2. Valmiki
3. Bharata Muni
4. Kalidasa
Answer
C. Bharata Muni
Bharata Muni is credited with the Natya Shastra.
Mohiniyattam is traditionally performed as a
1. Dance with masks
2. Solo dance by women
3. Martial dance
4. Group dance by men
Answer
B. Solo dance by women
Mohiniyattam is a soft solo dance by women.
Who founded the Kalakshetra at Chennai in 1936?
1. Mrinalini Sarabhai
2. Sitara Devi
3. Balasaraswati
4. Rukmini Devi Arundale
Answer
D. Rukmini Devi Arundale
Rukmini Devi revived Bharatanatyam and set up Kalakshetra.
The dance-drama Bhamakalapam is linked with
1. Siddhendra Yogi
2. Vallathol
3. Birju Maharaj
4. Kelucharan Mohapatra
Answer
A. Siddhendra Yogi
Siddhendra Yogi is credited with the Kuchipudi tradition.
Birju Maharaj was a great exponent of
1. Kuchipudi
2. Odissi
3. Kathak
4. Mohiniyattam
Answer
C. Kathak
He belonged to the Lucknow gharana of Kathak.
Kelucharan Mohapatra is associated with
1. Odissi
2. Manipuri
3. Kathakali
4. Kathak
Answer
A. Odissi
He is regarded as a guru of modern Odissi.
In dance, 'nritta' means
1. Drama with dialogue
2. Dance expressing a story
3. Folk song
4. Pure dance without meaning
Answer
D. Pure dance without meaning
Nritta is rhythm and movement without expression of meaning.
In Kathakali make-up, 'Pacha' (green) shows
1. Proud villains
2. Noble heroes and gods
3. Demonesses
4. Sages in polished tones
Answer
B. Noble heroes and gods
Pacha is used for noble characters.
Sattriya was given classical status in
1. 1975
2. 1952
3. 2015
4. 2000
Answer
D. 2000
Sattriya was recognised as the eighth classical dance in 2000.
Which classical dance uses Telugu language for songs and dialogue?
1. Sattriya
2. Odissi
3. Kuchipudi
4. Manipuri
Answer
C. Kuchipudi
Kuchipudi dance-dramas are in Telugu.
The Mughal court influence is most visible in which classical dance?
1. Kathak
2. Bharatanatyam
3. Kathakali
4. Mohiniyattam
Answer
A. Kathak
Kathak developed in Hindu temples and Mughal courts.
In the Natya Shastra, 'Aharya' abhinaya means expression through
1. Body and limbs
2. Costume and make-up
3. Speech and song
4. Inner feeling
Answer
B. Costume and make-up
Aharya is costume, make-up and ornaments.
Lasya style of dance is
1. Vigorous and masculine
2. Graceful and soft
3. Only drum-based
4. Only with masks
Answer
B. Graceful and soft
Lasya is soft; Tandava is vigorous.
Kathakali actors express a story through
1. Spoken dialogue
2. Recorded music only
3. Gestures and facial expressions, with singers at the side
4. Masks made of wood
Answer
C. Gestures and facial expressions, with singers at the side
Kathakali has no spoken dialogue.
Tillana is usually the
1. Opening prayer
2. Story-telling item
3. Drum solo only
4. Closing item of a Bharatanatyam recital
Answer
D. Closing item of a Bharatanatyam recital
Tillana is a rhythmic closing item.
The half-sitting posture called 'araimandi' is basic to
1. Bharatanatyam
2. Kathak
3. Manipuri
4. Mohiniyattam
Answer
A. Bharatanatyam
Araimandi is the basic stance of Bharatanatyam.
Spinning turns called 'chakkars' are a feature of
1. Kathak
2. Kuchipudi
3. Kathakali
4. Odissi
Answer
A. Kathak
Chakkars are fast spins in Kathak.
Jaipur, Lucknow and Banaras are gharanas of
1. Sattriya
2. Manipuri
3. Odissi
4. Kathak
Answer
D. Kathak
These are Kathak schools; Raigarh is another.
In Kathakali, the 'Kathi' type of character is
1. Gentle woman
2. Proud and evil, like Ravana
3. Holy sage
4. Forest hunter
Answer
B. Proud and evil, like Ravana
Kathi types are heroic but cruel characters.
Who founded the Kerala Kalamandalam in 1930?
1. Balasaraswati
2. Swathi Thirunal
3. Vallathol
4. Rabindranath Tagore
Answer
C. Vallathol
Poet Vallathol set up the institution to train Kerala arts.
The Devadasi temple tradition is mainly linked with the survival of
1. Bharatanatyam
2. Kathakali
3. Sattriya
4. Kathak
Answer
A. Bharatanatyam
Devadasis preserved Bharatanatyam in Tamil temples.
Sattras, where Sattriya is performed, are
1. Schools of Manipur
2. Vaishnava monasteries of Assam
3. Palaces of Odisha
4. Courts of Kerala
Answer
B. Vaishnava monasteries of Assam
Sattras are monasteries founded by Sankaradeva's followers.
Consider the following statements: 1. Kuchipudi belongs to Andhra Pradesh. 2. Kuchipudi belongs to Tamil Nadu. Which of the statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
A. 1 only
Kuchipudi is from Andhra Pradesh.
Consider the following statements: 1. Tarangam is danced on a brass plate. 2. The Kuchipudi dancer holds a pot of water on the head in Tarangam. Which of the statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
C. Both 1 and 2
Both are correct.
Consider the following statements: 1. Nritya means pure dance with no meaning. 2. The Natya Shastra is attributed to Bharata Muni. Which of the statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
B. 2 only
Nritta is pure dance; nritya expresses meaning.
Consider the following statements: 1. The word Kathak comes from 'katha', meaning story. 2. Kathak shows influence of Mughal courts. Which of the statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
C. Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct.
Consider the following statements: 1. Mohiniyattam belongs to Kerala. 2. Mohiniyattam is traditionally a male group dance. Which of the statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
A. 1 only
It is a solo dance by women.
Consider the following statements: 1. Odissi belongs to Assam. 2. Odissi uses the Tribhanga pose. Which of the statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
B. 2 only
Odissi is from Odisha.
Consider the following statements: 1. Manipuri is linked with Raslila. 2. Sattriya belongs to Manipur. Which of the statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
A. 1 only
Sattriya is from Assam.
Consider the following statements: 1. Bharatanatyam originated in Kerala. 2. Kathak is a South Indian dance. Which of the statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Bharatanatyam is from Tamil Nadu and Kathak from North India.
Consider the following statements: 1. Chhau is one of the eight recognised forms. 2. The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognises eight classical dances. Which of the statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
B. 2 only
Chhau is a folk and tribal martial dance, not one of the eight.
Consider the following statements: 1. Sattriya is linked with Sankaradeva. 2. It is accompanied by the Khol drum. Which of the statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
C. Both 1 and 2
Both are correct.
Which pair is correctly matched?
1. Odissi - Vempati Chinna Satyam
2. Kuchipudi - Kelucharan Mohapatra
3. Manipuri - Balasaraswati
4. Kathak - Birju Maharaj
Answer
D. Kathak - Birju Maharaj
Birju Maharaj is a Kathak guru; the other pairs are mismatched.
Which of the following is NOT a classical dance of Kerala?
1. Kathakali
2. Mohiniyattam
3. Koodiyattam
4. Kuchipudi
Answer
D. Kuchipudi
Kuchipudi is from Andhra Pradesh.
Which guru is associated with Manipuri?
1. Sitara Devi
2. Kumudini Lakhia
3. Vempati Chinna Satyam
4. Bipin Singh
Answer
D. Bipin Singh
Guru Bipin Singh is a major Manipuri name.
Vempati Chinna Satyam is a famous guru of
1. Odissi
2. Mohiniyattam
3. Kuchipudi
4. Kathak
Answer
C. Kuchipudi
He shaped modern Kuchipudi and trained many dancers.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi, the national academy for performing arts, was set up in
1. 1961
2. 1952
3. 1935
4. 1985
Answer
B. 1952
It was established in 1952 and recognises classical dance forms.

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अध्याय पढ़ने के बाद अभ्यास करें।

1.Which of the following folk dances of Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal region is on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity?
2._______, which translates to 'dance of the enchantress,' stands out as one of the most captivating expressions in the Indian classical dance repertoire.
3.Who among the following Indian dancers was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan in 1971, who was also known as the father of modern Indian dance?
4.Few renowned artists of __________ dance style in India are Roshan Kumari, Shovana Narayan, Maya Rao and Kumudini Lakhia.
5.Gangubai Hangal, a renowned Indian music personality, is recognised for her contributions in which of the following fields?
6.Which of the following dance forms emotes a play through dancing in which the song is customarily in Manipravala language?
7.Rouf is the traditional dance of __________, which is practiced on the festive occasions of Eid and during Ramzan days.
8.Identify the personality on the basis of the given clues: i) She is an acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer. ii) She is the recipient of Padma Shri 2016 award.
9.Vinod Kevin Bachan has been selected for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2021, for his contribution to which Indian dance form?
10.Akham Lakshmi Devi was honoured with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for the year 2018 for her contribution to _________ dance.

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