Explore Indian Traditional Dance Forms from Classical to Bollywood

Dancing allows you to express your emotions through song and movement. It has been around since the dawn of human history and has experienced substantial change. Dancing is frequently equated with joy and happiness. Numerous individuals do it for enjoyment, others purely to love it, while some see it as artistic expression. Owing to the complexity of India’s culture, there are numerous styles in which Indian dance is portrayed. India is a country whose diverse dances reflect its history, customs, and beliefs. Here is a brief list of Indian dance titles that describe the different types of Indian dancing, from Bollywood to folk and classical dances. So, book flight tickets from Canada to India and explore Indian traditional dance forms from classical to Bollywood.

1. Bharatnatyam

Bharatnatyam originates in the southern state of Tamil Nadu and is performed to the heavenly melodies of Carnatic music. The origins of Bharatnatyam can be traced back to 1000 BC when women performed it in the old Tamil Nadu temples during the classical era. The dancing style is renowned for its exquisite body motions and movements, referred to in the local dialect as “mudras.” It concentrates on the dancer’s facial expressions, leg movements, and hand gestures. Before the British era, this dancing style was extremely popular, but during the colonial era, it was severely depressed.

However, India was able to keep the dance form alive in the homes, and today it is recognized as one of the most respected artistic forms in the country, especially in the south where learning the traditional dance form of Bharatnatyam makes the women of the house feel proud.

2. Kathak

Derived from the Hindi word “Katha,” which means “story,” the name Kathak is native to the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. It is not a particularly smart assumption that Kathak is performed as a kind of narrative through the dancer’s body movements. Kathak is sometimes called the dance of love and can be performed by a man and female dancer together. This type of dancing places a lot of emphasis on ankle motions that are matched to the beat of the song. Ankle bells, or gunghroos as they are called in the dialect, are an essential part of the discipline of this dance style. This dance style exhibits a variety of distinctions since it is performed across the nation, in cities like Jaipur, Benaras, and Lucknow.

3. Manipuri

As you stroll through northeastern India, a nation full of unique customs and traditions, Manipuri serves as a significant emblem representing the state of Manipur. This type of dance tells the story of the mythical RaasLeela or the passionate romance between the Hindu gods Radha and Krishna. This art form tells the story of the two gods in a team setting while wearing traditional Manipuri clothes and makeup. The dance is performed to the sound of Indian classical instruments and narrative chanting. Furthermore, you can visit Flyopedia to grab affordable Canada to India business class flight deals.

4. Kathakali

Kathakali is another traditional Indian dance technique with a storytelling motif. Storytelling is the meaning of the national language of the country, Kathakali. Starting in Kerala in the southern part of the country, Kathakali is one of the earliest, widely recognized, and admired forms of dance in India. It derives from the Ramayana and Shiva legends. Kathakali is known for its intricate costumes, which include traditional face masks and body paints, generally green, and captivating facial expressions. The name of the song with just vocals is Soppanam. The dancers’ body language and facial emotions serve as the only means of communication, reflecting the narration of the epic Hindu

5. Odissi

The Odissi dancing style developed in the state of Odisha in eastern India. The ancient dance originates from the Hindu temples in Odisha. The majority of the mudras, or gestures and movements, are derived from the sculptures and statues found in India’s ancient temples. The mythological tales of the Hindu gods—including those of Shiva and Surya—are meant to be communicated through dance. The musicians perform a poem in Hindi and narrate a legendary story in rhythm with the dancing. Odissi is regarded as one of the oldest dancing styles still in use in India. The majority of Odissi dancers are female, and their repertoire comprises around fifty captivating mudras (body motions). Also, don’t forget to check out Flyopedia.com to buy the cheapest flights from USA to India.

6. Bhangra & Giddha

Bhangra originated as a method for farmers to commemorate a successful harvest. This well-known Indian dance gets its name from “bhang,” a popular cannabis-based beverage from Punjab that’s consumed often during festivals. It features clapping, energetic foot movements, and the rhythm of the dhol, a traditional drum. As Punjabi immigrants moved, they merged the world-famous Bhangra dance with modern music and dance.

It is impossible to discuss Bhangra—a practice mostly performed by men—without mentioning Giddha. Giddha is comparable to the feminine form of Bhangra, which is recognized for its energetic footwork, clapping, and circular motions. Women sing “Bolis,” or traditional Punjabi folk songs while dancing. These songs relate tales of love, everyday life, and cultural subjects.

7. Indian Bollywood Dance Style

India has about 500 years of dance tradition. The Bollywood dance style was originally a combination of multiple dances. It is vivid and bursting with color. Gujarat, India is the birthplace of two well-known varieties: garba and bhangra. They combined dances from several cultures to produce the Bollywood style. Bollywood dance is a blend of many dance styles, such as Kathak, Bharatanatyam, jazz, hip-hop, Arabic, and Western. It combines dancing moves with expressions. At the moment, Bollywood dance style is the most popular dance style worldwide.

Guys, what are you waiting for? Put on your dancing shoes and give it your all! Book last minute flight to India from Canada with Flyopedia and make the most of your travel to India!

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