An ancient dance tradition based on Hindu thought, but showing Arab and Mughal influences. Shiva is the god who symbolizes eternal movement. Dance forms can be divided into classical and folk. Classical dance forms are of religious or court origin, while folk forms are social and based in village life. Indian classical dance is traditionally learned through attachment to a guru, the dances ranging in style from highly controlled forms of religious temple worship to the performance of violent legends based on mythical characters, which may last for a whole night. Religious or mythical themes rely on the poetic language of codified hand gestures (mudras) and facial expressions. They are accompanied by traditional instruments such as the tabla and sitar, and by voices, often in rhythmic counterpoint to the dance.
India offers a number of Classical Indian dance forms, each of which can be traced to different parts of the country. Besides, there are several forms of Indian folk dances such as Bhangra, and special dances observed in regional festivals.
Most Indian dance is based on the treatise Natyashastra by the sage Bharata Muni, which explains the Indian art of acting.
Classical Indian dance
Indian folk dances
Shaivite tradition
The Shaivite cult abounds in numerous myths of Shiva and his consort Devi performing dance in their various manifestations. The tradition hence reveres him as both, 'Adi-nratya-guru' - the first teacher of dance, and Natesh or Nataraja - the king of dance.
In him revealed both faces of dance - 'lasya' and 'tandava', of which all subsequent dance forms were offshoots.
Devi, Shiva's variously named consort, is alluded to have performed dance in her manifestations as Kali - Mahakali or Shamshana-Kali, and Bhairavi.
Vaishnava tradition
Vishnu or his incarnations resorted to dance only on a few occasions, but despite, he is revered as the 'Adi-nratya-guru' along with Shiva and Kali. Vishnu resorted to dance once in his incarnation as Vamana, when in mere two strides he spanned three worlds and won for himself Trivikrama - conqueror of three worlds, or Vishnukrant epithet.
Vishnu as Krishna danced once to subdue venomous serpent chief Kaliya and many times for delighting 'gopis' - Radha in particular.
Indra had at 'Indrasabha' - his court, numerous dancing nymphs - Urvashi, Menaka being better known.
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