I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported

and guided me throughout the completion of this project on the eight classical
dances of India. First and foremost, I extend my sincere thanks to my teacher,

invaluable guidance and encouragement. Their insights and feedback have

I am also deeply grateful to my family for their unwavering support and

been a constant source of motivation for me. I would like to thank my friends

Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the resources and references that

have been crucial in gathering information for this project. The libraries,
online databases, and various publications have provided me with a wealth of

Lastly, I extend my appreciation to all the artists and practitioners of these

classical dance forms, whose dedication and passion continue to preserve and
promote India's rich cultural heritage. Their artistry and commitment have
India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions, and its classical dance
forms are a testament to this rich heritage. The eight classical dances of India,
recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, each have unique characteristics,

expressions but also a means of storytelling, spiritual practice, and cultural

Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu is one of the oldest classical dance forms,
known for its intricate footwork and expressive gestures. Kathak, originating
from North India, is characterized by its fast spins and storytelling through

costumes and dramatic expressions. Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh

Manipuri from Manipur is known for its gentle and fluid movements, often
performed during religious festivals. Mohiniyattam from Kerala is a graceful
dance traditionally performed by women, characterized by its swaying

its sculpturesque poses and fluid movements. Sattriya from Assam is a

devotional dance form performed in monasteries, reflecting the spiritual

This project aims to explore these eight classical dance forms in detail,
highlighting their origins, key features, music, themes, makeup, and
costumes. Through this exploration, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of
 Bharatnatyam (Tamil Nadu)

Bharatanatyam is one of India's oldest and most revered classical dance

forms, originating from the temples of Tamil Nadu. With a history spanning
over 2,000 years, it is deeply rooted in Hindu temple traditions and was

Bharatanatyam is characterized by its fixed upper torso, bent legs, and

intricate footwork. The dance includes movements such as leaps, jumps, and
spins, combined with expressive hand gestures (mudras) and facial

precision, grace, and geometric patterns. Performances are divided into

segments like Alarippu, Jatiswaram, Varnam, and Tillana, each showcasing

The music for Bharatanatyam is based on Carnatic classical music, featuring

a variety of rhythmic patterns and melodic structures. Themes often revolve
around Hindu mythology, religious stories, and spiritual ideas, depicting

Telugu, Kannada, or Sanskrit, and the music is performed live by musicians,

The costume for Bharatanatyam is elaborate and vibrant, typically

consisting of a specially draped sari to allow freedom of movement. Dancers

with bells around their ankles to accentuate footwork. The makeup is detailed,
focusing on the eyes to enhance expressions and convey emotions effectively.

cultural heritage. The hair is adorned with flowers, and the forehead is
Kathak is one of India's eight classical dance forms, originating from the
northern regions, particularly Uttar Pradesh. The word "Kathak" comes from
the Sanskrit "Katha," meaning story, and "Kathakar," meaning storyteller.

Kathakars narrated stories from epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana

Kathak is characterized by intricate footwork, spins (chakkars), and

expressive gestures. The dance is known for its fluid movements, rhythmic
patterns, and the use of facial expressions to convey emotions. Kathak

The music for Kathak is based on Hindustani classical music, featuring a

variety of rhythmic patterns and melodic structures. Themes often revolve
around stories from Hindu mythology, historical tales, and romantic

instruments like the tabla, harmonium, sarangi, and sitar. Lyrics are

The costume for Kathak includes a long, flowing skirt (lehenga), a fitted
blouse (choli), and a dupatta. Male dancers typically wear a kurta and
churidar. Costumes are often adorned with intricate embroidery and

expressions. Dancers wear traditional jewelry, including earrings, necklaces,

and bangles, along with bells (ghungroos) around their ankles to accentuate
https://www.mannarcraft.com/uploads/items/54de11ba2eae94419
costumes, vibrant makeup, and dramatic storytelling. Originating in the
17th century, it combines dance, music, and acting to depict stories from

Kathakali is characterized by its elaborate costumes, detailed gestures, and

vigorous footwork, intricate hand gestures (mudras), and expressive facial

control over their facial muscles and body movements. The dance is performed
in a slow, deliberate manner, with each gesture and expression meticulously

The music for Kathakali is based on Carnatic classical music and is

performed live by a group of musicians. The primary instruments used are the
chenda (drum), maddalam (another type of drum), and the chengila (gong).

Ramayana, as well as other mythological stories. Performances are often

costumes include layers of skirts and jackets adorned with intricate designs.

bold lines and colors, and performers often wear large, painted masks. The
overall appearance is striking and dramatic, enhancing the storytelling
cdn.com/content/v1/5d572076cd3bf80001747c6c/1633483622
Kuchipudi is a classical dance form from Andhra Pradesh, known for its
graceful movements and strong narrative character. It originated in the
village of Kuchipudi in the 17th century and was traditionally performed by

Kuchipudi is characterized by its graceful movements, fast rhythms, and the

use of speech and song. The dance often includes elements of drama and
storytelling, with dancers enacting various characters from Hindu

style, incorporating intricate footwork, expressive hand gestures (mudras),

The music for Kuchipudi is based on Carnatic classical music, which includes
a variety of rhythmic patterns and melodic structures. The themes often
revolve around Hindu mythology, religious stories, and spiritual ideas.

The music is performed live by a group of musicians, including a vocalist,

The costume for Kuchipudi includes a sari that is specially draped to allow

earrings, and bangles. Dancers also wear bells around their ankles to
accentuate their footwork. The makeup is elaborate, with a focus on the eyes to
enhance expressions and convey emotions effectively. The overall appearance
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/5b/8a/ab/5b8aabb9317141d2d9536f
Manipuri is a classical dance form from Manipur, known for its graceful and
fluid movements. It is deeply rooted in the religious and cultural traditions of
the region and is often performed during religious festivals and ceremonies.

Manipuri is characterized by its gentle and fluid movements, soft hand

gestures, and the use of facial expressions to convey emotions. The dance often
includes elements of ritual and worship, with performers enacting various

meditative quality, with dancers moving in a smooth and continuous

The music for Manipuri is based on the traditional music of Manipur, which
includes a variety of rhythmic patterns and melodic structures. The themes
often revolve around the worship of Hindu deities and the celebration of

love, and devotion. The music is performed live by a group of musicians,

The costume for Manipuri includes a traditional dress with a stiff skirt, a
blouse, and a veil. The makeup is subtle, with an emphasis on natural beauty
and enhancing the dancer's expressions. Dancers also wear traditional

designed to be elegant and graceful, reflecting the dance's rich cultural

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Mohiniya
Mohiniyattam is a classical dance form from Kerala, known for its graceful
and feminine movements. It is traditionally performed by women and is
believed to have originated in the 16th century. The name "Mohiniyattam" is

Mohiniyattam is characterized by its graceful and swaying movements,

gentle footwork, and the use of mudras (hand gestures) to convey emotions
and stories. The dance is known for its soft and fluid style, with performers

elements of drama and storytelling, with dancers enacting various characters

The music for Mohiniyattam is based on Carnatic classical music, which

includes a variety of rhythmic patterns and melodic structures. The themes
often revolve around love and devotion, particularly the stories of Lord Vishnu.

The music is performed live by a group of musicians, including a vocalist,

The costume for Mohiniyattam includes a white sari with a gold border,

around the ankles to accentuate the dancer's footwork. The makeup is subtle,
with an emphasis on the eyes to enhance expressions and convey emotions
Odissi is a classical dance form from Odisha, known for its fluid movements
and sculpturesque poses. It is one of the oldest surviving dance forms of India,
with a history that dates back to the 2nd century BCE. Odissi is deeply rooted

Odissi is characterized by its fluid movements, intricate footwork, and the use
of mudras (hand gestures) to convey emotions and stories. The dance often
includes elements of ritual and worship, with performers enacting various

The music for Odissi is based on the traditional music of Odisha, which
includes a variety of rhythmic patterns and melodic structures. The themes
often revolve around the worship of Hindu deities and the celebration of

love, and devotion. The music is performed live by a group of musicians,

The costume for Odissi includes a traditional dress with a sari, traditional

ankles to accentuate the dancer's footwork. The makeup is elaborate, with a

focus on the eyes to enhance expressions and convey emotions effectively. The
Sattriya is a classical dance form from Assam, known for its devotional and
spiritual themes. It is traditionally performed in monasteries called Sattras
and is believed to have originated in the 15th century. The dance form was

Sattriya is characterized by its graceful movements, rhythmic footwork, and

the use of mudras (hand gestures) to convey emotions and stories. The dance
often includes elements of ritual and worship, with performers enacting

and meditative quality, with dancers moving in a smooth and continuous

The music for Sattriya is based on the traditional music of Assam, which
includes a variety of rhythmic patterns and melodic structures. The themes
often revolve around the worship of Hindu deities and the celebration of

love, and devotion. The music is performed live by a group of musicians,

The costume for Sattriya includes a traditional dress with a dhoti, a chadar,
and a turban for male dancers, and a traditional sari for female dancers. The
makeup is subtle, with an emphasis on natural beauty and enhancing the

earrings, and bangles. The overall appearance is designed to be elegant and