When a Bharatanatyam dancer strikes the araimandi -- the deep, diamond-shaped plié that is the foundation of the form -- and her ankle bells ring out in a cascade of silver sound, something ancient awakens. Indian classical dance is among the oldest living dance traditions on Earth, a sacred art that has been refined over two millennia to express the full spectrum of human emotion through a vocabulary of movement so precise it can tell stories with a single gesture of the hand. These are dances that began as offerings to the divine and remain, at their best, acts of devotion -- to art, to tradition, and to the enduring power of human expression.
Technique & Characteristics
India recognizes eight classical dance forms, each rooted in a specific region and tradition:
- Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu) -- the most widely practiced, characterized by its geometric precision, stamping footwork (nritta), expressive storytelling through gesture and facial expression (abhinaya), and the distinctive araimandi stance. Accompanied by Carnatic music.
- Kathak (North India) -- renowned for its lightning-fast footwork and spins (chakkars), storytelling, and the dialogue between dancer and tabla drummer. Influenced by both Hindu and Mughal court traditions.
- Odissi (Odisha) -- noted for its sculptural quality, fluid tribhanga (three-bend) posture, and deep spiritual themes drawn from Vaishnavite devotion.
- Kathakali (Kerala) -- a dramatic dance-theater form with elaborate makeup, towering headdresses, and a codified language of facial expression (navarasas -- nine emotions).
- Manipuri (Manipur) -- gentle, undulating movements depicting the love stories of Radha and Krishna, with distinctive circular patterns and flowing costumes.
- Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh) -- combines dance and acting, known for its dramatic flair, including the famous tarangam (dancing on a brass plate).
- Mohiniyattam (Kerala) -- the "dance of the enchantress," characterized by graceful, swaying movements and subtle expression.
- Sattriya (Assam) -- originally a monastic dance tradition, incorporating devotional themes from Vaishnavite worship.
All Indian classical dance forms share roots in the Natya Shastra, a treatise on performing arts attributed to the sage Bharata Muni and dated to roughly the 2nd century BCE to 2nd century CE. This extraordinary text codifies dance movements, emotional expressions, stage design, music, and aesthetics in remarkable detail.
Central concepts across the forms include:
- Nritta -- pure, abstract dance focused on rhythm and pattern
- Nritya -- expressive dance combining movement with emotion and storytelling
- Natya -- dramatic element, the theatrical narrative
- Abhinaya -- the art of expression through four channels: body (angika), speech (vachika), ornament/costume (aharya), and inner emotion (sattvika)
- Mudras/Hastas -- codified hand gestures, each with specific meanings; Bharatanatyam alone uses over 50 single-hand and combined-hand gestures
Cultural Significance
Indian classical dance is deeply intertwined with Hinduism, temple traditions, and the broader philosophical and spiritual fabric of Indian civilization. Bharatanatyam originated in the temples of Tamil Nadu, where devadasis (temple dancers) performed as a form of worship. Odissi can be traced to the carved dancers adorning the Konark Sun Temple. Kathak evolved in the courts of Mughal emperors.
The colonial period nearly destroyed these traditions. British authorities banned temple dancing, and the devadasi system was criminalized. The revival of Bharatanatyam in the 1930s -- led by figures like Rukmini Devi Arundale and Balasaraswati -- transformed it from a temple ritual into a concert stage art form, a process that was simultaneously salvational and controversial.
Today, Indian classical dance thrives both in India and across the global diaspora. It is performed in concert halls, temples, festivals, and community stages from Chennai to Chicago to London. Choreographers like Akram Khan, Shobana Jeyasingh, and Mavin Khoo are creating work that bridges Indian classical tradition with contemporary global dance.
Why People Love It
Indian classical dance is a complete art form. It trains the body with athletic rigor, engages the mind with complex rhythmic mathematics, nourishes the spirit with devotional and narrative content, and delights the senses with exquisite costumes, jewelry, and music. A single Bharatanatyam recital can move an audience from abstract rhythmic brilliance to tears of empathy as the dancer embodies a mythological character's sorrow or ecstasy.
For practitioners, the training is demanding and deeply rewarding. Learning to isolate the eyes, eyebrows, neck, hands, and feet while maintaining rhythmic precision and emotional authenticity is a challenge that takes years to develop and a lifetime to master. The process builds extraordinary discipline, physical awareness, and the ability to communicate across language barriers through the universal language of expression.
