World Dance Day 2018

"Dance is not just a five letter word, it has a whole lot of feeling and meaning attached to it. It gives a tinge of happiness which has no boundary, it is and will always be the best form of expressing love, happiness and celebrations". We couldn't agree more with Sharmi Banerjee a classical dancer now pursuing a management degree. Sharmi goes on to add "Dance creates magic and fills the whole atmosphere with joy". 



World Dance Day 2018 is here. We share some pictures along with the variety of dance forms which exist in India. Credit for compiling the data goes to Sharmi Banerjee.

India has a few distinct classical dance forms. Most of the classical dance forms have originated from temples, so they express the dance form in terms of worshipping. Though they have different names and the state of origin are different, but the roots can be traced from ‘Natya Shastra’ नाट्य शास्त्र.

There are several dance forms all over the world. In India every state has its own folk form. There are around 8 to 11 classical dance forms.

Classical Dance form	State of origin
1.     Bharatanatyam	Tamil Nadu
2.     Kathak	Northern & Western India
3.     Kuchipudi	Andhra Pradesh & Telangana
4.     Kathakali	Kerala
5.     Odissi	Odisha
6.     Mohiniyattam	Kerala
7.     Manipuri	Manipur
8.     Sattriya	Assam

NOTE

Sources differ in their list of Indian classical dance forms. Encyclopædia Britannica mentions six dances. The Sangeet Natak Akademi has given recognition to eight Indian dances. The Indian government's Ministry of Culture includes eleven dance forms. Scholars such as Drid Williams and others include Chhau, Yaksagana and Bhagavata Mela to the eight classical Indian dances in the Sangeet Natak Akademi list.

Few pictures of Indian classical dance forms taken by Ghumakkad with a quotation each are reproduced below:

Indian Folk and Tribal Dance Forms

Indian folk and tribal dance forms are simple dance forms which are practiced especially to celebrate occasions or just to express their joy. Almost every state of India has its own form of dance, the way & reason for celebration is distinct from each other.

Folk Dance form	State of origin
1.  Arunachal Pradesh	Bardo Chham
2.       Assam	Bagurumba, Bihu, Jhumur
3.       Chhattisgarh	Raut Nacha
4.       Goa	Fugdi
5.       Gujarat	Dandiya raas, Garba, Tippani, Padhar, Hudo, Matukadi, Aagawa.
6.       Himachal Pradesh	Nati
7.       Haryana	Theatrical- Ras leela Devotional- Manjira, Chaupaiya Festive seasonal- holi, teej, phaag, sawan. Ceremonial & Recreational- Ragini, Jhoomar, Ghoomar, Khoria, Loor dance.
8.       Karnataka	Veeragase
9.       Jammu &Kashmir	Dumhal
10. Kerala	Chakyar Koothu, Duffmuttu, Margamkali, Oppana, Theyyam, Thirayattam.
11. Madhya Pradesh	Grida dance, Maanch, Matki dance, Phulpati dance, Tertali
12. Maharashtra	Tarpha Nach or Pavri Nach
13. Meghalaya	Shad nogkrem, Derogata, Laho
14. Mizoram	Cheraw dance
15. Nagaland	Chang Lo
16. Odisha	Chhau, Baagh naach, Ghumra, Karma naach, Dhap, Dalkhai
17.  Puducherry	Garadi
18.  Punjab	Bhangra, Giddha, Kikkli
19.  Rajasthan	Ghoomar, Khalbelia, Tera tali
20.  Sikkim	Singhi Chham
21. Tamil Nadu	Parai attam, Kummi, Kolattam, Karagam, Paambhu attam, Mayil attam, Theru Koothu, Puli Aattam and Poi Kaal kuthirai
22.  Telangana	Perini Shivatandavam
23.  Tripura	Hojagiri
24.  Uttar Pradesh	Mayur nritya, rasleela.
25.  West Bengal	Gambhira, Alkap, Domni, Dhunachi.

 

We also share two overseas folk dances one each from Dubai and Africa.

In India, wedding time is dancing time. Few pictures depicting the joy and fervour when old and young alike take to the floor!

Younger generation loves dancing. Whether it is college functions or friends birthdays, everybody shakes a leg or two.

Dance transcends physical barriers. See the picture below where persons with disabilities performed on stage!

Dance brings people together. There are many mother-daughter duos as well as married couples who love dancing together. Two such pictures below:

Don't you agree with what Sharmi says "Dance – is a way to find yourself and lose yourself, all at the same time".

For origin of World Dance Day and other information, you may browse our previous stories:
Beauty of Bharatanatyam
Origin of World Dance Day

Keep dancing. Happy World Dance Day 2018.
Thanks for browsing.

    -Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Sharmi Banerjee/ 29th April 2018

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