kathakali and Mohini Attam from Kerala.

Kathakali literally means story-play and is an elaborate dance depicting the victory of truth over falsehood. A Striking feature of Kathakali is the use of elaborate make-up and colourful costumes. This is to emphasize that the characters are superbeings from another world, and their make-up is easily recognisable to the trained eye as satvik or godlike, rajasik or heroic, and tamasik or demonic.

Mohini Attam The theme of Mohini attam dance is love and devotion to god. Vishnu or Krishna is most often the hero. The spectators can feel His invisible presence when the heroine or her maid details dreams and ambitions through circular movements, delicate footsteps and subtle expressions. Through slow and medium tempos, the dancer is able to find adequate space for improvisations and suggestive bhavas or emotions. The basic dance steps are the Adavus which are of four kinds: Taganam, Jaganam, Dhaganam and Sammisram. These names are derived from the nomenclature called vaittari. The Mohini attam dancer maintains realistic make-up and adorns a simple costume, in comparison to costumes of other dances, such as Kathakali. The dancer is attired in a beautiful white with gold border Kasavu saree of Kerala, with the distinctive white jasmin flowers around a French bun at the side of her head.

Bharata Natyam from Tamil Nadu. Bharata Natyam dance has been handed down through the centuries by dance teachers (or gurus) called nattuwanars and the temple dancers, called devadasis. In the sacred environment of the temple these familes developed and propagated their heritage. The training traditionally took around seven years under the direction of the nattuwanar who were scholars and persons of great learning. The four great nattuwanars of Tanjore were known as the Tanjore Quartet and were brothers named Chinnaiah, Ponnaiah, Vadivelu and Shivanandam. The Bharata Natyam repertiore as we know it today was

constructed by this talented Tanjore Quartet.

Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh The dance drama that stil exists today and can most closely be associated with the Sanskrit theatrical tradition is Kuchipudi which is also known as Bhagavata Mela Natakam. The actors sing and dance, and the style is a blend of folk and classical. Arguably this is why this technique has greater freedom and fluidity than other dance styles. Bhagavata mela natakam was always performed as an offering to the

temples of either Merratur, Soolamangalam, Oothkadu, Nallur or Theperumanallur. Odissi from Orissa Odissi is based on the popular devotion to Lord Krishna and the verses of the Sanskrit play Geet Govinda are used to depict the love and devotion to God. The Odissi dancers use their head, bust and torso in soft flowing movements to express specific moods and emotions. The form is curvaceous, concentrating on the tribhang or the division of the body into three parts, head, bust and torso; the mudras and the expressions are similar to those of Bharatnatyam. Odissi performances are replete with lores of the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, Lord Krishna. It is a soft, lyrical classical dance which depicts the ambience of Orissa and the philosophy of its most popular deity, Lord Jagannath, whose temple is in Puri. On the temple walls of Bhubaneshwar, Puri and Konark the dance sculptures of Odissi are clearly visible.

Kathak from Uttar Pradesh This north Indian dance form is inextricably bound with classical Hindustani music, and the rhythmic nimbleness of the feet is accompanied by the table or pakhawaj. Traditionally the stories were of Radha and Krishna, in the Natwari style (as it was then called) but the Moghul invasion of North India had a serious impact on the dance. The dance was taken to Muslim courts and thus it became more entertaining and less religious in content. More emphasis was laid on nritta, the pure dance aspect and

less on abhinaya (expression and emotion). Manipuri from Manipur This dance style was originally called jogai which means circular movement. In ancient texts it has been compared to the movement of the planets around the sun. It is said that when Krishna, Radha and the gopis danced the Ras Leela, Shiva made sure that no one disturbed the beauty of the dancing. Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva also wished to see this dance, so to please her he chose the beautiful area of manipur and re-enacted the Ras Leela. Hundreds of centuries later, in the 11th century, during the reign of Raja Loyamba, prince Khamba of the Khomal dynasty and Princess Thaibi of the Mairang dynasty re-

enacted the dance and it became known as Lai-Haraoba, the most ancient dance of Manipur.

Namagen : This is performed in the mountain state of Himachal Pradesh, an area of tremendous natural beauty. The people of this state have a large variety of dances, performed on different occasions. Namagen is a dance that is performed in the month of September to mark the beginning of Autumn. It is performed by both men and women who dance together in a close formation. The costumes worn by the dancers are usually made of wool and are richly studded. The women wear a number of items of silver jewellery. Hurka Baul : This is a dance from the state of Uttar Pradesh that is performed during the cultivation of maize and paddy. The farmers gather together on their fields and the dancers after performing some rituals enter the scene. They dance on each field and narrate various stories which they enact. The farmers line up into two rows and sway with the music. The accompanying music of this dance is provided by a single musical instrument known as the hurka and a song known as the baul . Bhangra : This comes from the state of Punjab and is one of the most famous amongst the Indian folk dances. It is usually performed by men and is a highly energetic dance. The dance is performed to the accompaniment of the dholak (a type of drum). The dancers raise their hands up in the air and clap and chant with the beat. Dancers also detach themselves from the main group to perform many acrobatic stunts which enthrall the audience. The dancers wear lungis and turbans in their costume. A lungi is a piece of cloth wrapped around the waist. Dhamyal and Lahoor : These dances come from the state of Haryana. Dhamyal is performed by both men and women while

Lahoor is only performed by women. Dhumyal is accompanied by a circular musical instrument known as the Dulh which is played nimbly by the dancers themselves. Lahoor is a dance which is usually performed in spring, when the work in the fields is over. The dance involves a sort of question answer session, which is conducted in a witty and sing song manner. Dandiya : This is a dance form from the desert state of Rajasthan and is another famous folk dance of India. A large group of dancers dance together holding long and slim sticks in their hands. These sticks are struck against each other and with the sticks of other dancers in rhythm. It is a joyous dance, with a lot of chanting and energy. The drummer stays in the center and plays a particular tune. This dance is mostly performed on ceremonial occasions like important festivals etc. andaria : This comes from the state of Andhra Pradesh which is home to many different tribes, each of whom has a dance style of its own. This particular dance is similar to the Dandiya dance form of Rajasthan. Villagers get together and dress in their best outfits. Villagers of one village go on tour of other villages and are welcome as honorable guests wherever they go. The youth and the musicians usually arrive first and are followed by the older men. They then congregate together in a group and like in Dandiya they beat their sticks together in rhythm. Bhanjara : Bhanjara also comes from the state of Andhra Pradesh and are dances of the gypsy tribes of the state. These tribes have a tremendous passion for color and the costumes of the dancers are in fantastic bright colors and are studded with mirror work and embroidery. These dances usually depict household and day to day events, like work in the fields etc. The dancers form a circle and move around depicting their profession. Dollu Kunitha : This comes from the state of Karnataka. This dance comes from a tribal region of the state where the tribes are predominantly hunters and food gatherers. As a result their dances revolve around the themes of hunting, food gathering and funeral rites. Kunitha is essentially a generic term used to describe many of the ritual dances of the region, like Puja Kunitha and Kadvadis which are dedicated to certain deities. Dollu is essentially a drum dance in which the dancers wear huge

colorful decorated drums. They beat the drum and perform nimble movements simultaneously. Occasionally the dance is accompanied by song, whose themes revolve around either religion or war songs. Kummi and Kolattam : These dances are performed by women of the state of Tamil Nadu during major festivals. Kummi is the simpler of the two, where women simply gather in a circle and clap their hands to the beat as they dance. Kolattamextends the concept a little further, and instead of clapping their hands they use small wooden rods which they strike to the beat of the music. Kargam and Puli Vesham : These dances are performed by the men of the state of Tamil Nadu, with Kargam being one of the most popular folk dances of the state. It originally was dedicated to the Goddess of health and rain, Mariamman. It is a ritualistic dance, and the men who perform it have to balance a pot of uncooked rice on their heads while performing the dance. They are surrounded by a frame of bamboo which is covered with flowers. The musical accompaniment is a drum and a long pipe. Puli Vesham is a very interesting dance which is performed during a specific festival. The men disguise themselves in tiger costumes and move around the streets. Padayani : Padayani comes from the state of Kerela and is a colorful and spectacular dance. It is usually associated with the festivals celebrated in the temples of southern Kerela. This dance depicts divine and semi divine characters and the performers wear huge masks ( kolams ) which are shaped and painted in a variety of different designs. The most important characters that are presented are Bhairavi (Kali), Kalan (the god of death), Yakshi (a fairy), Pakshi (a bird). The kolam is an important part of the dance and much effort goes into its preparation. As mentioned earlier, the kolam is a huge mask that covers the face and has many projections and objects on it. Sometimes a chest piece is also used to add further effect to the dancers costume. The performance is energetic, with the instrumentalists playing dramatic pieces, the singers singing powerful songs and the dancers in their fantastic costumes depicting sensational stories.

Chhau : This dance comes from the state of Bihar and Orissa and is usually performed by men. A dance known for spontaneity and vitality it is a popular Indian folk dance. It gets its name after the masks the dancers wear which are known as chhaus . The concept of masks is an integral part of this dance. The dance owes its origins to an ancient form of exercise known as pharikhanda . This dance also pays special attention to the sets, and the stage is brightly lit with lanterns, torches and oil lamps. The dancers perform solo, in a duet or in a group. Elements of dance-drama are also found in this dance. The musical accompaniment to the dance is provided by a number of instruments. The main ones are the Nagra (a type of drum) the Dhol (also a type of drum) and the Shehnai . The music is based on tunes from Hindustani Classical music. The music and the dance are closely linked, and a change in the tempo of the music will have a corresponding change in the dance. The dancemovements are governed by the rhythm created through the instruments. Chhau is a folk dance which has some elements of classical dance ideas in it, as it follows a certain rhythmical pattern and is closely linked with the concept of tala and timing. The dance is as mentioned closely linked with rhythm, and the dancers have to successfully carry the rhythm in their body. The dance can be very intense, for when the rhythm picks up then the dancers entire body becomes one unit and the rhythm is displayed through a number of movements. So powerful is the emotion, that the audience gets the uncanny feeling that the static mask is actually expressing the emotion of the face behind it. Chhau dances typically last for about ten minutes as it is difficult to dance behind a mask for prolonged periods. The themes are usually mythological or based on the natural world. The dance is usually performed in the month of April, and is usually done for an entire month. Bihu : This comes from the state of Assam and is the most popular dance in the state. The dance is enjoyed by everyone, the rich and poor as well as the young and old. The dance is performed during the harvesting festival and usually lasts for about a month. The dancers are young men and women and they dance out in the open during the day. While both men and women dance simultaneously, the two do not dance together. The dancers sing while

performing, and theme of the songs is usually love. The dancers generally form a circular formation or line up in parallel rows. Goti Pua :This is a dance from the state of Orissa with a fascinating history behind it. During the sixteenth Century, Ramachandradeva a king of a principality in Orissa provided some timely assistance to Mughal soldiers. This put him into the good books of Emperor Akbar, who then appointed him as the King of Orissa. Ramachadradeva was an able and just ruler, and a keen patron of art. It was through his efforts that a new dance evolved, known as Goti Pua or the boy dancers. Goti Pua dancers are boys who dress themselves up like girls. The boys begin their training at the age of six, a training which lasts for around two years. They continue to dance till they are about fourteen years old. As they grow older they become teachers within their group and teach the next generation of dancers. Since the boys begin learning the dance at such a young age, they are able to properly shape their bodies as required for the dance. Like most folk dances, it is accompanied by music, and this is provided by the pakhawaj, gini and the harmonium. Occasionally the group has a singer, but mostly the boys do the singing themselves. A Goti Pua dance usually lasts for about three hours, opening with a salutation to Mother Earth and ending with a farewell item. Goti Pua dancers are in great demand during certain ceremonial occasions and are specially taken to different locations. Naga Dances : The Naga tribes from the state of Nagaland have a number of different dances which are usually performed during the harvest period. Their dances are full of fun and frolic as it is performed when the people are celebrating a particular event. Each of the Naga tribes have their dances, but share a basic feature. All Naga dances involve a major use of the legs while maintaining the body in an erect posture. Nongkrem : This dance is from the state of Mehalaya, and is performed by a tribe known as the Khasis. The dances of Tripura are

performed to celebrate the harvest. Nonkrem is performed in Autumn, at a particular place called Smit, which is a cultural centre of the region. It commemorates the history of the Khasi people. Dances of Manipur : The state of Manipur is well known for its significant contributions to

classical Indian dance, with the exquisite Manipuri dance form. It also has several folk dances. Some of the most fascinating of these are the martial art dances which are performed by young men using swords and shields. The drum dances of Manipur are also worth a special mention. There are a number of drum dances which mark different festivals. Most of these take place in the spring, an example of which is Dhol Cholom. Manipur dances extend beyond the usual harvest or ritual dances and cover aspects of day to day living as well as the natural world. Dances of Arunachal Padesh : The state of Arunachal Pradesh also has many dances and dance dramas. Many of their dances are based on Buddhist stories and legends. The performers wear masks which they make themselves. Their dances are usually performed in monasteries during festivals. Dances of Sikkim : The dances of the state of Sikkim are quite different from the rest of India. They are heavily based on Buddhist concepts and stories. The dancers wear masks like in many Indian folk dances. There are several dances, some are practiced in the monasteries while some are performed outside. Both men and women take part, although some dances are restricted to a particular gender.

Tertali : This dance is performed by the Kamar tribe of the state of Madha Pradesh. The dance is usually performed by women. The dancers usually perform while remaining seated. Small metal cymbals are tied to different parts of the dancers' bodies and when they move these strike againsteach other with the rhythm. The head is covered with a veil and sometimes they have to balance a ornamental pot on their heads while performing. Garba : Grarba comes from the state of Gujarat and is one of the most popular dances of the state. The dance is performed by women during the Autumn festival of Navratri. The dance takes place for nine successive nights out in the open. The women perform a simple dance and

song in honor of the Goddess Amba. The area where they perform is brightly lit with earthen lamps. Tippani : This also comes from the state of Gujarat and is performed by women who work as construction workers. The reason for its performance is perhaps one of the most interesting amongst Indian folk dances, the women perform it to break the monotony of their work! Jawara : This is another dance from Madhya Pradesh and is performed in the Bundelkhand region. It is performed to celebrate a successful harvest and is therefore full of gaiety and happiness. Both men and women perform this dance together . The women wear colorful jewellery and carry baskets full of the harvest on their heads. This requires tremendous practice as it is very difficult to balance the basket and execute the vigorous movements of the dance. There is also a strong musical accompaniment to the dance and several different types of instruments are used. Dindi and Kala : These dances come from the state of Maharashtra and are devotional dances which are based on episodes of Lord Krishna's life. Dindi is named after a small drum which is used as an accompaniment. The accompanying musicians stay at the center, along with the vocalists. Both men and women then dance around them joyfully. Tarpha Nanch : This is another dance from the state of Maharashtra. Performed by both the men and women of the hilly regions of the state. The dance is named after an instrument called the Tarpha which produces the accompanying music. Men and women hold each other by the waist and dance in close formation. There are segments where the men dance separately and these are usually demonstrations of skill, like forming a pyramid etc.