Traditional+Indian+Dances+-+An+International+Dream

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**BHANGRA (PUNJAB): **   

One of the most popular dances of India performed during Baisakhi by the men in Punjab is the 'Bhangra'. Among the most virile and captivating dances of India it includes tricks and acrobatic feats. The songs include recitation of meaningless 'bolis', words, such as hoay, hoay.The drummer usually in the centre of the circle, is surrounded by men dressed in lungis and turbans. The dance performed by the women folk of Punjab is called the 'Gidha'. In the Gidha, at a time a woman or a pair of women dance while the others clap in rhythm. The dance is performed in the festival of Teeyan to welcome the rains. This dance also includes a step when women go round and round with feet planted at one place.




 * BHARATANATYAM DANCE:

This widely appreciated dance form of Tamil Nadu (a state in Southern India) is Bharatanatyam. Previously known as Sadir, Dasiattam & Thanjavur Natyam, this dance demands unconditional and undivided dedication on the part of the performer. It is a dynamic and earthy dance style. The contemporary form of Bharatnatyam evolved during the late 18th or early 19th century. Bharatanatyam dancers are predominantly women & always dance bent-kneed. It is a dance style where there is heavy emphasis on hand movements to convey various emotions. The body is visualized as if made up of triangles, one above and one below the torso. It is based upon a balanced distribution of body weight and firm positions of the lower limbs, allowing the hands to cut into a line, to flow around the body, or to take positions that enhance the basic form. A special feature of this dance form are Padams or poems on the hero-heroine theme. The performer has to be aware of the numerous subtle features of the dance style. **    **

KATHAK DANCE:

This dance form was primarily a temple ritual but was later altered to the royal court entertainment by the Persian and Mughal influences. Kathak was initially very similar to Bharatanatyam. This dance form originated in the North. The word kathak derived from "Katha", literally means story teller. Music and dance were used by story tellers to illuminate the story while attacking the sensibilities of the audience. This took the form of Kathkalakshepam and Harikatha in Southern India, and the form of Kathak in the North. Around the 15th century, the dance form underwent a drastic transition due to the influence of Mughal dance and music. By the sixteenth century, the tight churidar pyjama became the staple attire of a Kathak dancer. Kathak focuses more on footwork as compared to the hasta mudras or hand movements in Bharatanatyam. The dances are performed straight-legged and the ankle bells (ghungaroos) worn by the dancers are adeptly controlled. The costumes and themes of these dances are often similar to those in Mughal miniature paintings. **