๐ Chapter 06 ยท Topic 06 ยท Classical Dance
Classical Dance Forms โ Complete Revision
All 8 classical dances โ state, origin, key features, exponents, and exam-ready checklist in one page.
โก Master Table โ All 8 Classical Dances
| Dance | State | Key Feature | Revivalist/Key Exponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bharatanatyam | Tamil Nadu | Oldest; Devadasi tradition; nritta/nritya/natya; Varnam central item | Rukmini Devi Arundale (Kalakshetra, 1936) |
| Kathak | North India (UP/Rajasthan) | Tatkaar footwork; chakkar spins; Hindu-Islamic synthesis; Lucknow & Jaipur gharanas | Birju Maharaj (Lucknow gharana) |
| Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh | Dance-drama; Bhagavata Mela; Tarangam (brass plate dance); Brahmin men tradition | Vempati Chinna Satyam; Siddhendra Yogi (founder) |
| Odissi | Odisha | Tribhangi posture; Mahari tradition; Gita Govinda themes; Konark sculptures | Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra |
| Manipuri | Manipur | Ras Leela; gentle flowing; no ankle bells; barrel-shaped skirt (potloi) | Rabindranath Tagore (brought to Shantiniketan) |
| Mohiniyattam | Kerala | Lasya; feminine grace; white-gold kasavu sari; solo female dance | Vallathol Narayana Menon (Kerala Kalamandalam, 1930) |
| Kathakali | Kerala | Elaborate makeup (chutti); dance-drama; male performers; 8โ10 years training | Kalamandalam Gopi; Kerala Kalamandalam |
| Sattriya | Assam | Vaishnavite Satras; Srimanta Shankardev; 8th classical dance (SNA 2000); male monks | Srimanta Shankardev (founder); Indira P.P. Bora |
โก Quick-Fire Key Facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Oldest classical dance | Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu) |
| 8th classical dance (latest recognised) | Sattriya (Assam) โ SNA 2000 |
| Only classical dance with Islamic influence | Kathak |
| Dance with no ankle bells | Manipuri |
| Dance with Tarangam (brass plate) | Kuchipudi |
| Dance with Tribhangi posture | Odissi |
| Dance with elaborate makeup (chutti) | Kathakali |
| Pachcha (green) makeup = ? | Noble heroes (Rama, Krishna) in Kathakali |
| Kathi makeup = ? | Villainous heroes (Ravana) in Kathakali |
| Rukmini Devi Arundale founded | Kalakshetra, Chennai (1936) |
| Vallathol Narayana Menon founded | Kerala Kalamandalam (1930) |
| Srimanta Shankardev founded | Sattriya dance + Vaishnavite Satras in Assam |
| Natya Shastra author | Bharata Muni (2nd BCEโ2nd CE) |
| Navarasas = ? | 9 emotions: Shringara, Hasya, Karuna, Raudra, Vira, Bhayanaka, Bibhatsa, Adbhuta, Shanta |
| Nritta = ? | Pure dance (no expression) |
| Nritya = ? | Expressive dance (rhythm + expression) |
| Natya = ? | Dramatic dance (tells a story) |
โ Master Revision Checklist โ Chapter 06
โ
Bharatanatyam = Tamil Nadu = oldest = Rukmini Devi = Kalakshetra 1936
โ Nritta = pure dance; Nritya = expressive; Natya = dramatic
โ Varnam = central item of Bharatanatyam = combines all three aspects
โ Navarasas = 9 emotions = Shringara, Hasya, Karuna, Raudra, Vira, Bhayanaka, Bibhatsa, Adbhuta, Shanta
โ Kathak = North India = tatkaar + chakkar = Lucknow + Jaipur gharanas
โ Birju Maharaj = Lucknow gharana = greatest Kathak dancer
โ Kuchipudi = AP = Bhagavata Mela = Tarangam = Siddhendra Yogi
โ Odissi = Odisha = Tribhangi = Mahari tradition = Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra
โ Manipuri = Manipur = Ras Leela = no ankle bells = potloi skirt
โ Tagore brought Manipuri to Shantiniketan (1919)
โ Mohiniyattam = Kerala = lasya = white-gold sari = Vallathol Narayana Menon
โ Kerala Kalamandalam = 1930 = Cheruthuruthy = Deemed University 2012
โ Kathakali = Kerala = elaborate chutti makeup = dance-drama = men only
โ Pachcha = green = noble heroes; Kathi = villainous; Kari = black = female demons
โ Sattriya = Assam = Srimanta Shankardev = Vaishnavite Satras = SNA 2000
โ Nritta = pure dance; Nritya = expressive; Natya = dramatic
โ Varnam = central item of Bharatanatyam = combines all three aspects
โ Navarasas = 9 emotions = Shringara, Hasya, Karuna, Raudra, Vira, Bhayanaka, Bibhatsa, Adbhuta, Shanta
โ Kathak = North India = tatkaar + chakkar = Lucknow + Jaipur gharanas
โ Birju Maharaj = Lucknow gharana = greatest Kathak dancer
โ Kuchipudi = AP = Bhagavata Mela = Tarangam = Siddhendra Yogi
โ Odissi = Odisha = Tribhangi = Mahari tradition = Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra
โ Manipuri = Manipur = Ras Leela = no ankle bells = potloi skirt
โ Tagore brought Manipuri to Shantiniketan (1919)
โ Mohiniyattam = Kerala = lasya = white-gold sari = Vallathol Narayana Menon
โ Kerala Kalamandalam = 1930 = Cheruthuruthy = Deemed University 2012
โ Kathakali = Kerala = elaborate chutti makeup = dance-drama = men only
โ Pachcha = green = noble heroes; Kathi = villainous; Kari = black = female demons
โ Sattriya = Assam = Srimanta Shankardev = Vaishnavite Satras = SNA 2000