A look at Indian dance forms and artists on International Dance Day

On International Dance Day, celebrated annually on April 29, here is a look at some of the popular dance forms practised around the country, and the major exponents of the same.

Lucknow Gharana Kathak The Lucknow gharana of Kathak dance is hallmarked by smooth graceful movements, precision and delicacy and this dance type is paired with classical music like thumri, dadra and horis.

Pandit Birju Maharaj, the maestro of Kathak and one of India’s most recognised and beloved artists, was the face and torchbearer of Lucknow Gharana Kathak. 

Odissi Odissi is traditionally a dance-drama genre of performance art where the artists and musicians play out a story, a spiritual message or devotional poem from the ancient Hindu texts.

Sonal Mansingh is a prominent Indian classical dancer who specializes in Odissi. Besides being a dancer, Sonal Mansingh is a well-known choreographer, teacher, orator and a social activist. 

Bharatanatyam Bharatanatyam, presumably the oldest classical dance heritage of India, initiated in the Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu and eventually flourished in South India.

Mallika Sarabhai is a leading name in the field of Bharatnatyam. She led as the co-director at the Ahmadabad-based performing arts academy 'Darpana' which her mother had been running earlier. 

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