Dance has always been an integral element of Indian culture. Even during the ancient times, dance was present in different forms. It is, in fact an age old tradition. With the kind of diversity India offers, it is not surprising to find numerous forms of dance in this vast sub-continent.
Different eras and cultures have given rise to diverse forms of dancing which have continued to exist and flourish even in modern day India. Dance is an essential part of our heritage which makes us feel proud. Indian dances have witnessed evolution in far remote corners of India and also in prestigious temples. The kings and rulers of ancient and medieval India used to have a specifically build auditorium for dance performances.
India has great number of classical as well as folk dances. The main classical dances include Bharathanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Odissi etc. South India has always been a great breeding ground for art and recreation. Bharathanatyam originated in Tamil Nadu and it is one of the most enticing and beautiful form of dance. It’s a dance of devotion performed by temple maiden. It’s a daunting dance form that requires precise hands and feet movements along with variety of expressions performed through eyes and mouth.
Everything about Bharathanatyam is exact and precise and that is no mean task. Kathak traces its roots to courts of Mughal rulers and it is a beautiful dance. Kathakali belongs to state of Kerala whereas Kuchipudi is from Andhra Pradesh. Manipuri is a dance form dedicated to Krishna bhakti that enthralls people all over India.
Indian folk and tribal dances are also quite rich in every sense of the word. Folk dances are performed during special occasions as well as just to express joy and happiness. Occasions can be birth, marriage, funeral, weather, harvesting etc. Northeast part of India has many tribal communities and all of them have different dance range. Dandiya is a very famous folk dance from the state of Gujarat whereas Bhangra is renowned all over world for its vitality and spirit. Truly, Indian dances are nothing but melting-pot of diverse cultures celebrating the life.