Classical Dance in India

Classical Dance in India

• Classical dance is distinguished from folk dance due to its regulation by the rules of the Natyashastra.
• The Natyashastra is a Sanskrit text on the performing arts written by Bharata Muni.

Sangeet Natak Academy

• The Sangeet Natak Academy recognizes eight classical dances.
• It was set up by the Indian Education Ministry on 31 May 1952 and became functional the following year, with Dr. P.V. Rajamannar as its first chairman.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, inaugurated it on 28 January 1953 in a special function held in the Parliament House.

Classification of Classical Dances

• The Sangeet Natak Academy recognizes eight classical dances, including:
  • Bharatnatyam (Tamil Nadu)
  • Kathak (Uttar Pradesh)
  • Kathakali (Kerala)
  • Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Odissi (Odisha)
  • Manipuri (Manipur)
  • Mohiniattam (Kerala)
  • Satthriya (Assam)

Bharatnatyam

• Bharatnatyam is a classical dance that expresses South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas, particularly of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism.
• It is dedicated to temples and was earlier known as Sadir or Dasiattam.
• Ekaharya is the solo artist in Bharatanatyam dance.
• Alarippu is a dance piece from Bharatanatyam.
• Kalakshetra and Vazhuvoor are styles associated with Bharatanatyam.
• Theoretical foundations of Bharatanatyam have been found in Natya Shastra.
• Tillana is a term associated with the Bharatanatyam dance form.
• A Nattuvanar conducts a Bharatanatyam dance recital.
• Bharatanatyam poses are depicted on the gopurams of the Chidambaram temple.

Classical Dance in India

• Classical dance is distinguished from folk dance because it has been regulated by the rules of the Natyashastra.
• The Natyashastra is a Sanskrit text on the performing arts written by Bharata Muni.

Sangeet Natak Academy

• The Sangeet Natak Academy recognizes eight classical dances.
• It was set up by the Indian education ministry on 31 May 1952 and became functional the following year.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, inaugurated it on 28 January 1953.

Classical Dance Forms

• Bharatnatyam: originated in Tamil Nadu, expresses South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas, particularly of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism.
• Kathak: originated in Uttar Pradesh.
• Kathakali: originated in Kerala.
• Kuchipudi: originated in Andhra Pradesh.
• Odissi: originated in Odisha.
• Manipuri: originated in Manipur.
• Mohiniattam: originated in Kerala.
• Satthriya: originated in Assam.

Bharatnatyam

• Bharatnatyam was originally performed in the temples of Tamil Nadu by the Devadasis and is also known as Dasiattam.
• Ekaaharya is the solo artist in Bharatanatyam dance.
• 'Alarippu' is a dance piece from Bharatanatyam.
• Kalakshetra and Vazhuvoor styles are associated with Bharatanatyam.
• Theoretical foundations of Bharatanatyam have been found in Natya Shastra.
• 'Tillana' term is associated with the Bharatanatyam dance form.
• A 'Nattuvanar' conducts a Bharatanatyam dance recital.
• Bharatanatyam is the first of India's traditional dance to be refashioned as a theatre art and to be exhibited widely both at home and abroad.

Important Exponents of Bharatanatyam

• Swapna Sundari
• Lakshmi Viswanathan
• Rukmini Devi Arundale: a Padma Bhushan awardee, legendary Bharatanatyam exponent, theosophist, and founder of the Kalakshetra Dance School.
• Bala Saraswati
• Yamini Krishnamurthy

This quiz assess the knowledge of classical dance in India, including its distinction from folk dance and its relation to the Natyashastra. It also covers the recognition of classical dance forms by the Sangeet Natak Academy.