Dance is a form of expression that conveys when words fail. In India, there are diverse dance forms in every state, region, culture and tradition. With its diverse landscape, Indian dance forms are inspired by every region’s culture, tradition besides mythology and ancient scripts.
Dance forms in each of regions have their own unique touch to it. In fact, every occasion in our culture, is celebrated through dance. Be it festival, harvesting of crops, wedding or even welcoming the guest, we, Indians, love to dance on every occasion.
In fact, music and dance are inextricable part of Indian culture and they are the real reflectors of Indian societies, culture and tradition.
With each state having its own language, culture and tradition here, dance is also another major indicator of state’s culture or tradition. Each and every state of India has its own dance forms that could be classical, native or even folk enriching the country’s culture specter.
Among the scores of dance forms, here is a peek into a few dance forms that has been an integral part of our culture and tradition:
Bharatanatyam – Tamil Nadu
Bharatnatyam is a South Indian dance style that is performed to heavenly Carnatic music melodies. It is a classical dance form that dates back to 1000 BC and was first done by women in Tamil Nadu’s ancient temples. The dance style is renowned for its exquisite hand motions and movements, or mudras as they are known in the local dialect.
Kuchipudi – Andhra Pradesh
Kuchipudi, an art form from Andhra Pradesh, is arguably the most difficult type of Indian traditional dance. Kuchipudi is not only regarded as a dance but as an entire religious practice devoted to God, complete with customs like praying to God, burning incense, and sprinkling holy water.
Lavani – Maharashtra
Lavani is a Maharashtrian dance form that has its origins in the state of the Maratha kingdom. The word Lavanya, which signifies beauty, is where the name Lavani first appeared. In fact, it’s a combination of music and dance. An integral part of Marathi culture, women wearing nuvari or nine-yard saree, perform Lavani in powerful rhythm to the beats of Dholki.
Garba – Gujarat
Garba is a traditional dance style from Gujarat that is performed in honour of Goddess Durga during the auspicious Navratri festival. Sticks are used to execute this art form, which is done in a couple to the typical Gujarati music.
Ghoomar – Rajasthan
A traditional dance form of Rajasthan where women dance to the rhythm of music while adorning heavy jewellery and stunning costumes. Ghoomar uses intriguing circular hand motions in addition to vocalisation.
Bhangra/Gidda – Punjab
Bhangra is a heart-pumping performance from Punjab that is accompanied by raucous dhol beats (traditional Indian instrument). The customary Punjabi festivals are rife with it.
Rouf – Kashmir
Rouf, a calming dance style typically done by female dancers to the traditional Kashmiri music, is a dance form that the Kashmiri people use to celebrate their festivals and significant occasions.
Bihu – Assam
A prominent folk dance of Assam, Bihu dance is an indicator of Bihu festival. Here dancers move quickly with their hands, take fast steps, and swing their hips rhythmically while donning traditional Assamese attire and gorgeous accessories. Rangali Bihu, which ushers in the spring season, is celebrated with a performance of Bihu, celebrating Assamese culture and tradition. Traditionally, the farming community performs these dance in their fields or river banks, or especially under the Fig tree. Dancers dance to the music played using dhol, Xutuli, Toka, Baanhi, and Gogona.
Odissi – Odisha
The province of Odisha in Eastern India is where the Odissi dance originated. The Hindu temples in Odisha are the source of the traditional performance. The majority of the gestures and moves (Mudras) are influenced by Indian temple idols and sculptures. The dance is enriched with mythologies on Hindu Gods such as those of Shiva and Surya.