Bharatanatyam
Odissi
Classical dance form Odissi originated from the state of Orissa. While seeing this dance, it seems, as if temple statues came to life. Its characteristic feature is the special sculptural poses and dance movements. Odissi has ensured that the dance is a moving sculpture, and sculpture is a frozen dance. Basic postures in Odissi are: chauk, or square, and tribhanga, or three bending. The main dances in Odissi style repertoire are Mangalacharan, Batu, Pallavi and others.
Manipuri
The State of Manipur in north-eastern India, located in the valley of paradise beauty. Manipuri dance is usually performed by groups of dancers, but there are solo performances also. Movement of the dancer, spindle-like and circular differ astonishing grace, elegance and smoothness, body posture with clenched knees like a figure eight; face is dreamily lyrical. Costumes are unusually colorful skirts embroidered with mirrors, upper garment studded ornaments; faces translucent veil. Torso and the position of the dancer resemble the picturesque scenes on the Indian frescos. Pure dance numbers are performed in a particular raga.
Kuchipudi
Kathak
Sattriya
Sattriya Nritya or dance Sattriya one of the eight major classical dance traditions of India. Homeland of this style is the north-eastern state of Assam. According to history, Sattriya is the brainchild of the great Vaishnava Guru and follower of the Bhakti cult – Srimanta Sankardeva (XV century). He is considered to be the principal founder and creator of Assamese literature and culture. Sankardeva invented this amazing dance to accompany Ankiya Naat – a traditional form of Assamese drama, which is also his creation. Ankiya Naat is usually performed in Assamese Satra or monasteries. Originally, this dance is performed only by men – monks Bhokot. It was part of their daily ritual, as well as festive occasions. Today Sattriya dance is performed by both men and women as solo dance and in groups.
Kathakali
Kathakali from Kerala is usually played by a group of dancers. Traditionally Kathakali performed only by men. Special grandeur of Kathakali are costumes and make-up. Characters will know by the color of make-up. In Kathakali pure dance numbers are combined with pictorial. Enormous role played by facial expressions, movement of eyes, the eyebrows and facial muscles helps to convey different moods of the characters. To have a good understanding of the scene shown, it is necessary to know in advance the story. Kathakali uses scenes from the epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana.