The classical dance forms which have developed, have set rules that have been followed traditionally over the years. On the basic model, various gurus incorporate their own imaginative innovations, leading to various schools within a particular dance form. Apart from the gracious hand & leg postures & movements, the dancers have to acquire the skill of portraying various emotions faithfully in each expression on their face & each fluid movement of their hand, legs & in fact their whole body. Every part conveys some meaning in their graceful motion.  

The various dance forms have also developed a particular form of make-up for the performance, which is a skill by itself. Several dance schools today, incorporate costume designing & make-up as special section of the curriculum.   The costumes for all forms are elaborate & rich, but each form & style have their own traditional patterns set down. Jewels for the dancers are also specially created to suit their purpose. Flowers adorn their hair & in the case of portrayal of Gods, their necks as garlands. The hall is also richly decorated with flowers. Application of mehendi in various styles is also an essential part of the make-up in most forms. 
 
 

Various dance forms of India

 

Lyrics  Compositions of K.N.Dandayudapani Pillai  Compositions of Ghanam Krishna Iyer

   

Gestures used in Bharatanatyam

 

Names of Head, Neck, Eyes & Hand Gestures used in Bharatanatyam

 

Dance costumes

 

Jewels & other items for decoration

 

Dance Institutions

 

Book ‘Shishu Sadhana - a child friendly Bharata Natya repertoire’ with a DVD   by Mamata Niyogi-Nakra, released at Centre St-Pierre, Montreal, on 16th January 2005

 

"A Dancer on Dance" by V.P.Dhananjayan    About the Dhananjayans    Natya The Essence of Hyndhava - Dharma   Salient Features of Dance   Rasas    Elaboration of the Rasas   The Concept of the Male Dancer   Kathakali - Origin & background   Classical technique in Kathakali    Costume & Make-up in Kathakali

 
 
 

Dance related Web Sites    kutcheribuzz.com All about South Indian classical music & dance http://www.kutcheribuzz.com     (Maintained by Saigan Connection)   Narthaki  http://www.narthaki.com  A web directory of Classical Indian Dances - Addresses of artistes of classical Indian dance forms, current events, articles, interviews, reviews, profiles, snippets, diduknow, new releases...    Arangham  http://www.arangham.com  To explore, enrich and promote the performing and visual arts of India and to contemporize the rich tapestry of Indian creativity for modern audiences     Anita Ratnam   http://www.anitaratnam.com  Performer – Choreographer – Television Personality – Arts Presenter – Speaker – Transcultural Collaborator – Scholar – Writer – Cultural 8Activist    Arpana Dance Company, Ramya Harishankar  http://www.danceramya.com  Southern California based Arpana Dance Company (ADC) has had the honor of performing in the US, Europe and India under the guidance of Ramya Harishankar    Bharata Kalanjali  http://www.bharatakalaanjali.org  Bharata Kalaanjali - Premier Academy of Indian Classical Dance, Music & Allied Arts  - All about the Dhananjayans - V.P.Dhananjayan & Shanta Dhananjayan as dancers, choreographers, teachers...& Bhaaskara  http://www.krdressers.com  K R Dressers - total end to end solution, right from sourcing of material, tailoring the costume, despatching through courier.    Ektaa Center  http://www.ektaacenter.org  Ektaa in Sanskrit means oneness or unity. Ektaa Center is committed to create an awareness and understanding of the traditional arts of India, using diverse medium such as dance, music, theater and other related arts to help build better communities in Southern California.     Kattaikkuttu Sangam  http://www.kattaikkuttu.org  theatre, ritual and entertainment from Tamil Nadu  The Kuttu Festival 2005  http://www.kattaikkuttu.org/festival2005/fest05.html  The Kuttu Festival 2005 offers a rare opportunity to experience a galaxy of known and unknown theatre genres from South India in a traditional village setting.     Lasya Dance Company  http://www.lasya.org  Lasya Dance Company is based in Cupertino, CA, USA. It is a registered non-profit organization founded by artistic director Vidhya Subramanian to promote and preserve the ancient art of Bharatanatyam.     Prakriti Foundation  http://www.prakritifoundation.com  Inquiry into our Cultural Identity & Inheritance    Sangeetha Balasingam  http://www.sangeethabalasingam.com  I am currently learning from Smt. Pushkala Gopal & Sri. Unnikrishnan. I am also learning Carnatic music vocal from Sangeeta Vidwan Tiruvarur Kodandapani to enhance my knowledge of my Asian roots.     Shantala Shivalingappa  http://www.shantalashivalingappa.com  Born in India, brought up in Paris, Shantala is the child of east and west. She grew up in a world filled with dance and music, initiated at a tender age by her mother, dancer Savitry Nair. (Kuchipudi, Contemporary dance, Theatre)    The Other Festival  http://www.theotherfestival.com  What The Other Festival seeks is an exposure of both the performer and the audience to such forms of art expression, not just of art perfection. Offering a worthy platform to promote young, vibrant new artists alongside well-known iconoclasts.