Dancing has been an integral part of the different cultures of India. There are many well-known classical and folk dance forms in India. You can start training to be a dancer from a very early age. Careers in dance can include those of a performer, teacher, and choreographer. There is no right age to start learning to dance although the younger you start with those dance lessons, the more time you give yourself to perfect the intricate skills.
Popular Dance Forms in India
The two main divisions of Indian dance are classical and folk forms.
Contemporary Dance Forms
Indian Contemporary Dance has its roots in India, imbibed with modern elements of dance. The art form emphasises body coordination, improvisation, and observations. It helps to nurture creativity among artists. More importantly, the style inspires everyone to express their ideas and feel content.
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Indian Contemporary dance style was first propagated by legendary Uday Shankar who created a fusion style of dance, adapting European theatrical techniques to Indian Classical Dance, imbued with elements of Indian classical, folk, and tribal dance, which he later popularised in India, Europe, and North America. He was the pioneer of creative and contemporary dance in India.
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Folk Dances of India
Folk dances in India represent the culture and tradition of the community from where they originated. Folk dances are usually performed during the respective community’s celebrations, such as childbirth, festivals, weddings, etc. Some of the prominent folk dances of India include:
- Bhangra: Bhangra is a lively and energetic folk dance of Punjab.
- Jhumar: It is a dance form prevalent in the state of Haryana. In certain portions of the state, people also refer to it as the “Hariyanvi Gigga”.
- Garba: It is one of the chief folk dances of western India. Women engage in this graceful dance on festive occasions like Navaratri, Vasant Panchami, Sharad Purnima, and Holi.
- Bihu: This elegant northeast Indian dance holds an important place in the festivities of Assam. People generally participate in this dance form during the Rongali Bihu festival which heralds the start of the spring season.
- Hikat: It is a playful and frisky dance generally performed by young girls and boys in Kashmir when spring comes to the majestic valley.
- Lavani: It is a melodious blend of tune, song, dance, and tradition with a fast tempo and a powerful rhythm.
- Kathakali: This vibrant dance drama features fascinating colors, graceful body movements, and beautiful expressions synchronized to the tune of music and song.
- Chhau: It is an ancient East Indian folk dance which initiated during the pretend fights of Odiya warriors who fought to the beats of native musical instruments.
- Raas Leela: Raas Leela is an interesting enactment of the mythological stories of the Bhagavat Gita.
- Pung Cholom Dance: This dance form is a combination of movements and sounds which sometimes entail acrobatic skills and stamina. The dancers play the musical instrument, Mridanga, while displaying their performance.
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Classical Dance Forms of India
Bharatnatyam
Bharatanatyam is a dance form of Tamil Nadu. Originally a temple dance for women, Bharatanatyam is often used to express Hindu religious stories and devotions. The dance movements are characterised by bent legs, while the feet maintain the rhythm. Hands may be used in a series of mudras, or symbolic hand gestures, to tell a story.
Kathak
A dance of northern India, Kathak is often a dance of love. The movements include intricate footwork accented by bells worn around the ankles and stylised gestures adapted from normal body language. It was originated by Kathakas, professional storytellers, who used a mixture of dance, song, and drama.
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Manipuri
Manipuri is characterized by smooth and graceful movements. Female roles are especially fluid in the arms and hands, while male roles tend to have more forceful movements. The dance may be accompanied by narrative chanting and choral singing.
Kuchipudi
This dance form, native to Andhra Pradesh, is highly ritualised, with a formalised song-and-dance introduction, sprinkling of holy water, and burning of incense, along with invocations of goddesses.
Odissi
Based on archaeological findings, Odissi is believed to be the oldest of the surviving Indian classical dances. Odissi is a very complex and expressive dance, with over fifty mudras (symbolic hand gestures) commonly used.
Where to Find Dance Teachers in India?
Beginners often find it difficult to find the right tutor or dance teacher for them. This is because a teacher that works for one student may not work for another. It’s therefore essential that you make the right choice when choosing your tutor.
Young dance students often worry about getting the wrong type of dance lesson when they first start. If you want to choose a good dance instructor, there are a few solutions. Firstly, if you choose to attend a dance school or a dance academy, you may have the option of attending your first class for free. This is your opportunity to see if you get along with the teacher and if their teaching style works for you.
As a student, you have to feel at ease with your tutor and comfortable with the teaching techniques they’re using. Our advice is to observe their class for an hour, if you can, and then talk with the other students in the class, too. The aim is to choose a tutor whose personality and teaching styles work well for you. Don’t hesitate to ask the other students in the dance studio a few questions.
Here are some of the places you could find dance lessons:
- Certified dance schools
- Uncertified dance studios
- National conservatoires
- Regional conservatoires
- Classified ads offering private dance tutorials
- Dance associations
- National dance centers, theaters, and music schools
The atmosphere is also important when it comes to choosing the right dance class. While some students prefer a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, others might prefer the more serious approach taken by conservatoires. You should also work out what your favorite style of dance is before choosing your dance classes.
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The Best Dance Lessons You Can Join
- National Institute of Kathak Dance: This institute is also famously known as Kathak Kendra. This school was established in 1964 and is located in Delhi. The traditional Indian classical form of original Kathak is being taught here.
- Sri Thyagaraja College of Music and Dance: This dance school is located in Hyderabad. It is one of the top dance schools in India that offers 13 different disciplines focusing on Indian classical dance and music. This college has earned most of its fame due to the Kuchipudi dance course.
- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore: This dance school is famous for its ethnic dance forms like Kathak and Bharatnatyam. People consider it one of the best dance schools in India.
- ITA School of Performing Arts: This dance school is famously known as ITASPA. It remains under the blessing of the Indian Television Academy. It is regarded as the top-notch dance school established in Mumbai. Students can get enrolled in various courses such as Basic, Advanced, Pro, Crash, etc. One can learn Hip Hop, Semi-Classical, Latin American, Jazz, and other forms.
- Delhi Dance Academy: Delhi Dance Academy was established in 2008. Shree Bhupinder Singh has launched this school. The academy offers excellent dance education at affordable rates. It has a superior professional infrastructure. Various forms of dance are taught here. Also, it teaches a typical and unique dance blending the authentic ethnic and western dance forms.
List Of The Best Online Dance Classes
Shuffle Dance Master Class
If you've been inspired by the one person at a party who always manages to pull in an audience with their shuffle dance moves, know that you can do it too. This two-hour class not only teaches you the basic steps but also shows you how to connect them all together to perform an entire set effortlessly.
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An Introduction to Flamenco Dance
Hailing from Spain, Flamenco is an expressive dance form that includes hand clapping, percussive footwork, and catchy, often live, music. Take inspiration from some classic Bollywood as well as Hollywood songs, and discover your passion for the dance form with this online course. It lets you in on how to get the right posture and gain confidence; different variations of the skirt and arm movements; terms that you need to know; footwork steps; and more.
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Modern Dance Beginner Course
More popularly known as contemporary dance, this one is as graceful as it gets. For someone who is skilled in the category, floor work and technique; body strength; and coordination are some of the key things to learn or develop. The one-hour crash course fills you in on just how to do that.
Online Ballet Basics
Ballet is a dance form that requires as much strength as it does the perfect posture. It's tasteful, telling, and takes years of practice before you can call yourself well-trained. To start your journey, consider opting for this short introduction course that teaches foot exercises on the floor as well as the barre; arm and leg positions; strengthening exercises; and more.
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