India has a very rich culture for dance and music. Indian Classical Dance and Music are our pride. Tribal, Folk and traditional dance style considered as the mother of all classical dance from the ancient age. Excavation, inscriptions, chronicles, literary sources, sculpture and paintings proves the evidence of dance during the Vedic time or before. However, there is no as such evidence about the transformation of present classical dance styles.
Various myths, Purans, Veda supports that dance took an important role in our religious and social life. The rich body of dramatic and poetic literature known as the nataka and the kavya in Sanskrit. A related development was the evolution of classical Sanskrit drama which was an amalgam of the spoken word, gestures and mime, choreography, stylized movement and music. From the 12th century to the 19th century there were many regional forms called the musical play or sangeet-nataka. Contemporary classical dance forms are known to have evolved out of these musical plays.
Excavations have brought to light a bronze statuette from Mohenjo-daro and a broken torso from Harappa (dating back to 2500-1500 B.C.E.) These are suggestive of dance poses. The latter has been identified as the precursor of the Nataraja pose commonly identified with dancing Siva.
Natyashastra
The earliest treatise on dance available to us is Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra, the source book of the art of drama, dance and music. It is generally accepted that the date of the work is between the 2nd century B.C.E- 2nd century C.E. The Natyashastra is also known as the fifth Veda. According to the author, he has evolved this Veda by taking words from the Rigveda, music from the Samaveda, gestures from the Yajurveda and emotions from the Atharvaveda. There is also a legend that Brahma himself wrote the Natyaveda, which has over 36,000 verses.
In “Natyasashastra” dance and music are inextricable part of drama. As per ancient history, dance have three aspects: (a) Natya (b) Nritya and (c) Nritta
Natya
The dramatic element and most dance forms do not give emphasis to this aspect today with the exception of dance-drama forms like Kathakali.
Nritya
It is expressional, performed specifically to convey the meaning of a theme or idea.
Nritta
it is pure dance where body movements do not express any mood (bhava), nor do they convey any meaning.
To present nritya and natya effectively, a dancer should be trained to communicate the navarasas. These are: love (shringaara), mirth (haasya), compassion (karuna), valour (veera), anger (roudra), fear (bhayanak), disgust (bibhatsa), wonder (adbhuta) and peace (shaanta).
Formation of Indian Classical Dance
Indian classical dance is one of the oldest and richest art traditions in the world. Its formation was not the result of a single event, but a long cultural journey shaped by religion, literature, temple life, royal patronage, and the creative spirit of Indian society.
The roots of classical dance can be traced back to ancient India, where dance was not only entertainment but also a sacred act. In early times, dance was performed during rituals, festivals, and spiritual ceremonies. It was considered a way to communicate with the divine, expressing devotion through movement, rhythm, and gesture.
Temples played a vital role in shaping classical dance. In many regions, trained dancers performed in temples as part of religious worship. Over time, different regions developed their own unique styles based on local culture, language, and traditions. These styles gradually evolved into the classical forms we recognize today, such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Sattriya and Kathakali.
Later, royal courts also contributed greatly to the growth of these dance forms. Kings and nobles patronized dancers, helping them refine their techniques and stage presentations. This period added sophistication, storytelling elements, and artistic richness to the tradition.
Despite challenges during colonial times, Indian classical dance survived through dedicated gurus and performers. In the modern era, it was revived and recognized as a proud cultural heritage of India. Today, Indian classical dance stands as a powerful symbol of tradition, discipline, and artistic excellence, carrying centuries of history in every graceful movement.
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