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Indian Dance, Music and Paintings

Indian Dance, Music and Paintings

Indian Classical Dances and Dancers:

Uday Shankar (born in a Bengali family in Jaipur) had popularised Indian classical dance abroad in the 1920s and 1930s. Uday Shankar is called the 'father of modern Indian dance'.

The International World Dance Day is celebrated on 29th April.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi currently confers classical status on eight Indian classical dance styles: Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathak (North India), Kathakali (Kerala), Kuchipudi (Andhra), Odissi (Odisha), Manipuri (Manipur), Mohiniyattam (Kerala), and Sattriya (Assam).

Note: Currently there are six languages that enjoy the 'Classical' status in India: Tamil (declared in 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014). All the Classical Languages are listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Bharatanatyam is a dance of Tamil Nadu in southern India. The dance movements are characterized by bent legs, while feet keep rhythm. Hands may be used in a series of mudras, or symbolic hand gestures, to tell a story (often of Hindu devotional or religious nature). Bharatanatyam is the national dance of India. Rukmini Devi Arundale is the most famous proponent of Bharatnatyam.

Kathakali comes from southwestern India, around the state of Kerala. Like Bharatanatyam, kathakali is a religious dance. It draws inspiration from the Ramayana and stories from Shaiva traditions. Kathakali is traditionally performed by boys and men, even for female roles. The costumes and makeup are especially elaborate, with faces made to look like painted masks and enormous headdresses. Mrinalini Vikram Sarabhai was a famous proponent of Kathakali and Bharatanatyam.

Mohiniyattam, (Malayalam: “dance of the enchantress”) is a semiclassical dance form from the state of Kerala. The dance is performed by women in honour of the Hindu god Vishnu in his incarnation as the enchantress Mohini. According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu took the form of Mohini to distract the demon Bhasmasura while the gods took the elixir of immortality from the churning of the celestial oceans and thus saved the universe from destruction. The myth of Mohini forms the core of any Mohiniyattam performance.

Kathak, a dance of northern India (Uttar Pradesh), is performed by both men and women. The movements include intricate footwork accented by bells worn around the ankles and stylized gestures adapted from normal body language. Kathak is found in three distinct forms, called "Gharanas" – Jaipur, Banaras and Lucknow. Pandit Birju Maharaj is the face of the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak dance.

Manipuri, a famous classical dance, comes from Manipur in northeastern India. It has its roots in that state’s folk traditions and rituals and often depicts scenes from the life of the god Krishna. It is particularly based on the themes of rashila of Radha and Lord Krishna. Guru Bipin Singh was the most famous proponent of Manipuri dance.

Kuchipudi requires talent in both dancing and singing. This dance, from the state of Andhra Pradesh in southeastern India, is highly ritualized, with a formalized song-and-dance introduction, sprinkling of holy water, and burning of incense, along with invocations of goddesses. Musical instruments like Tanpura and Mridangam are used to accompany the dancers. Yamini Krishnamurthy was the famous proponent of Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam.

Odissi is indigenous to Orissa in eastern India. It is predominantly a dance for women, with postures that replicate those found in temple sculptures. Odissi is a very complex and expressive dance, with over fifty mudras (symbolic hand gestures) commonly used. Odissi is the oldest dance in India. Kelucharan Mohapatra is the most famous proponent of Odissi dance.

Bihu (Bichhua) dance is an indigenous folk dance from the Indian state of Assam related to the Bihu festival and an important part of Assamese culture. Performed in a group, the Bihu dancers are usually young men and women, and the dancing style is characterized by brisk steps and rapid hand movements. Bihu is a harvesting festival celebrated three times a year in Assam.

Sattriya is a Krishna centred (based on rashlila themes) classical dance form originating in Assam. It is one of the eight classical dance forms of India.

Traditional Dances in India:

Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan. The dance is chiefly performed by veiled women who wear flowing dresses called ghagra.

Singhi Chham or Kanchendzonga Dance is a lion dance form in Sikkim whereby the dancers perform in a lion costume that represents the snow lion.

Bhangra (martial), Gidda (women) and Luddi are important dance forms of the Punjab region.

Gaudiya Nritya is a Bengali dance tradition, originating from Gauda, also known as Gaur, in West Bengal.

Chhau dance is a semi-classical, folk dance with martial and tribal traditions, originating in eastern India (Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal).

Nati is the dance form of Himachal Pradesh.

Garhwali is the dance form of Uttarakhand.

Nauntanki, Jhora and Kajri are important dance forms of Uttar Pradesh.

Raut Nacha is a famous dance form of Chhattisgarh.

Khantumm Bamboo Dance is the dance form of Mizoram.

The Hornbill Festival is a celebration held every year from 1 to 10 December, in Nagaland, Northeast India.

Yakshagana is the dance form of the state of Karnataka.

Rauf is a folk dance of Kashmir.

Lavani is a popular dance form of Maharashtra.

Karakattam is an ancient folk dance of Tamil Nadu performed in praise of the rain goddess Mariamman.

Bhagavata Mela is a classical Indian dance that is performed in Tamil Nadu, particularly the Thanjavur area.

Raas or Dandiya Raas is the socio-religious folk dance originating from the Indian state of Gujarat, popularly performed in the festival of Navaratri.

Garba dance has also originated from the state of Gujarat.

Fugdi is a famous dance form of Goa.

Hindu New Year in different Indian states is celebrated with different names as mentioned below.

Ugadi - Andhra Pradesh, Baisakhi - Punjab, Jude Sheetal - Bihar and Jharkhand, Gudi Padwa - Maharashtra, Vishu - Kerala, Pohela Boishakh - West Bengal, Puthandu - Tamil Nadu, Bohag Bihu - Assam, Navreh - Kashmir.

State-wise List of Famous Dance Forms in India:

Andhra Pradesh: 
Kuchipudi, Vilasini Natyam, Andhra Natyam, Bhamakalapam, Veeranatyam, Dappu, Tappeta Gullu, Lambadi, Dhimsa, Kolattam, Butta Bommalu, Veethi Bhagavatam

Arunachal Pradesh:
Chalo, Wancho, Buiya, Pasi Kongki, Ponung Dance, Bardo Chham, Hiri Khaning, Lion and Peacock Dance, Aji Lamu, Popir, Tapu Dance

Assam: 
Bihu, Bichhua, Satriya, Natpuja, Bagurumba, Bhortal Dance, Ojapali Dance, Naga Dance, Tabal Chongli, Jhumura Hobjanai

Bihar:
Jata Jatin, Bidesia, Jhijhiya, Kajari, Jumari

Gujarat:
Garba, Dandiya Raas (Navaratri), Bhavani, Tippani, Hoodo

Haryana:
Naach, Jhumar, Daph, Pagh (Phalgun) Dance, Dhamal, Loor Dance, Gugga, Ras Leela

Himachal Pradesh:
Nati, Demon Dance, Kayang Mala, Chohara, Lang-dar-ma, Jhanjhar, Jhora, Chham (Buddhist), Dangi

Jammu and Kashmir:
Rauf, Bhand Jashan, Bacha Nagma, Dumhal Folk Dance, Hafiza Dance, Kud Dance

Karnataka:
Dollu Kunitha, Yakshagan, Bayalata, Buta Kola

Kerala:
Kathakali (classical), Mohiniyattam, Theyyam, Thiruvathirakali, Koodiyattam, Ottamthullal, Padayani, Buta Kola

Maharashtra:
Lavani, Tamasha, Koli, Lezim, Gondhal

Odisha:
Odissi (classical), Gotipua, Chhau Nritya (Mayurbhanj), Dhemsa, Ghumura, Changu Dance, Ranappa

West Bengal:
Jatra, Keertan, Baul, Chhau, Jhulan, Gajan, Gaudiya Nritya, Gambhira, Alkap

Punjab:
Bhangra, Jhoomer, Giddha, Luddi, Gatka Dance, Dhamal, Dankara, Kilki, Jaago Dance

Rajasthan:
Ghoomar, Chakri, Bhavani, Kalbeliya, Kathputli, Jhulan, Suisini

Tamil Nadu:
Bharatnatyam (classical), Kavadi, Bamber Dance, Kavadi Aattam, Oyilattam, Kolattam, Karakattam

Uttar Pradesh:
Kathak, Nautanki, Raslila, Thora, Jhora, Kajri, Chappeli, Chakula, Mayur Nritya

Uttarakhand:
Pandav Nritya, Bhotiya, Choliya Dance, Garhwali, Kumayuni, Jhora

Goa:
Dhalo, Fugdi, Dashavatara, Shigmo, Dhangar, Kunbi Dance

Madhya Pradesh:
Maanch, Matki, Khada Nach, Grida Dance, Jawara

Chhattisgarh:
Raut Nacha, Gaur Maria, Panthi, Pandavani, Karma Dance, Kapalik, Saila Dance, Suwa Nach

Jharkhand:
Santhal Dance, Chhau Dance, Karma Dance, Janani Jhumar, Mardani Jhumar, Phagua, Paika, Domkach, Birhor, Kadsa

Manipur:
Manipuri, Thang Ta, Cholam, Raslila, Cymbal Dance, Lai Haraoba, Jagoi Dance

Meghalaya: 
Nongkrem, Shad, Laho, Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem

Mizoram:
Cheraw Dance, Khuallam, Chailam, Sarlamkai/Solakia, Tlanglam, Zangtalam

Nagaland:
Chang Lo, Bamboo Dance, Kekai, Kuki, Mayur Dance, Butterfly Dance, Khamba Lim, Modse, Zeliang, Leshalaptu

Tripura:
Hojagiri, Garia, Jhum, Maimita, Masak Sumani, Lebang boomani, Hai-Hak

Sikkim:
Mask Dance, Singhi Chham (the snow lion dance), Yak Chham, Chu Faat Dance

Puducherry:
Garadi

Lakshadweep:
Kolkaki, Lava, Dandi, Bandiya, Fuli

Ladakh:
Shondol Dance, Jabro, Tukhstanmo, Kathok Chenmo, Kompa Tsum-Tsag, Mentok

Daman and Diu:
Mando Dança, Verdigão Dance, Vira Dance

Dadra and Nagar Haveli:
Tarpa, Gheria, Bhavada

Famous Classical Dancers of India:

Bharatnatyam - Rukmani devi Arundale, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Mallika Sarabhai, Shovana Narayan, Sonal Mansingh, Padma Subramaniyam

Kathak - Birju Maharaj, Shambhu Maharaj, Shovana Narayan, Damayanti Joshi

Kuchipudi - Mallika Sarabhai, Yamini Krishanmurthy, T Balasaraswati, Ragini Devi

Kathakali - Uday Shankar, Mukunda Raja, Koppan Nair, Guru Gopinath

Odissi - Guru Mayadhar Raut, Kelucharan Mohapatra, Sonal Mansingh

Manipuri - Yumlembam Gambhini Devi, Guru Bipin Sinha, Darshana Jhaveri, Nirmala Mehta

Famous Musical Instruments and Their Exponents:

Sitar - Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Nikhil Banerjee, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Anushka Shankar

Tabla - Zakir Hussain, Trilok Gurtu, Anindo Chatterjee, Tanmoy Bose, Bikram Ghosh, Talvin Singh, Alla Rakha Khan, Hamid Hussein

Sarod - Amjad Ali Khan, Ali Akbar Khan, Allauddin Khan

Shehnai - Anant Lal, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Ali Ahmed Hussain Khan, Lokesh Anand

Santoor - Pandit Shiv kumar Sharma, Tarun Bhattacharya

Sarangi - Ustad Sultan Khan

Types of Indian Paintings

Madhubani Painting- Bihar

Patachitra Painting- Odisha

Kalamkari Painting- Andhra Pradesh

Cheriyal Scrolls- Telangana

Chittara Painting- Karnataka

Phad Painting- Rajasthan

Pithora Painting- Gujarat

Warli Paintings- Maharashtra

Gond Painting- Madhya Pradesh

Kalighat painting- Kolkata, West Bengal

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