Discussion of Indian culture will be remain incomplete without discussing about Indian dance and music. Because, these heritages have been intensely associated with the country since the early inception of the civilization. History says, Indian dance and music is more than 5,000 years old. Wall-paintings, sculptures, rock paintings and other depictions in Mohenjodaro, Bhimbetaka caves of Madhya Pradesh and Khajuraho temple prove the decade old relation of dance and music with Indian culture.

India dance :

In Indian society, Nataraja (dancing Lord Shiva) is treated as the worship figure of Indian dance. The Indian dances have originated from different religious urges and all its thematics are based on rich mythological lore of the country. The classical Indian dance is nothing but a sacred ritual that contributes the ‘rasanubhava’ (abreaction or spiritual upliftment) to the ‘rasika’ (audience) and the dancer.

The Indian classical dances comprise of three distinct aspects, named ‘Nritya’, ‘Nritta’ and ‘Natya’. ‘Nritya’ is all about hand gestures, symbolic body poses and facial expressions. ‘Nritta’ means pure dance which is performed along with body and limbs movements. This is broadly classified into Karana, Angahara, Chari and Mandala. And ‘Natya’ is nothing but drama which is presented through the use of spoken word.

Indian dances are classified into several types, among which the primary classical Indian dances are Bharata Natyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Mohini Attam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, and Odissi. Apart from these, hundreds of folk and tribal dances are cultured all over the country. All the classical Indian dances involve ‘mudras’, where the entire body is used while performing to communicate with the audiences. Such developed types of gestures performed to enhance artistic appeal of the dances.

In the first half of 19th century, majority of the Bharatnatyam was redefined by four talented brothers, named Chinniah, Ponniah, Sivanandam and Vadivelu, who are now known as Tanjore Quartet. Such infusion of superior creative energy made that period an innovative time of Indian classical dance.

Even in this 21st century, after tremendous development of technologies a hi-tech culture has been started and there has been a large intermixing of western culture in India, the contemporary choreographers still use the classical forms of dances to present various themes.