The classical dance forms of India with their state of origin and famous exponents, for CAPF Paper I revision
The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognises eight classical dance forms (some lists name Chhau, taking the count higher; for the official tally verify the latest). Cover the right columns and recall the state and exponents. See indian music dance and painting.
| Dance | State of origin | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Bharatanatyam | Tamil Nadu | Oldest; rooted in temple dance and the Natya Shastra; fire-like postures |
| Kathak | North India (Uttar Pradesh) | Storytelling; spins (chakkars); flourished in Mughal courts; Hindu and Persian elements |
| Kathakali | Kerala | Dance-drama with elaborate make-up and masks; themes from epics; all-male traditionally |
| Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh | Dance-drama tradition; the Tarangam (dancing on a brass plate) |
| Odissi | Odisha | Tribhangi posture; sculpturesque; linked to the Jagannath temple |
| Manipuri | Manipur | Gentle, devotional; Ras Lila of Radha and Krishna |
| Mohiniyattam | Kerala | "Dance of the enchantress"; graceful, feminine; lasya style |
| Sattriya | Assam | From the monasteries (sattras) of Sankardeva; recognised as classical in 2000 |
| Dance | Exponents |
|---|---|
| Bharatanatyam | Rukmini Devi Arundale, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Padma Subrahmanyam, Mallika Sarabhai |
| Kathak | Birju Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Shovana Narayan, Lacchu Maharaj |
| Kathakali | Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, Guru Kunchu Kurup |
| Kuchipudi | Vempati Chinna Satyam, Raja and Radha Reddy, Yamini Krishnamurthy |
| Odissi | Kelucharan Mohapatra, Sonal Mansingh, Sanjukta Panigrahi |
| Manipuri | Guru Bipin Singh, the Jhaveri Sisters |
| Mohiniyattam | Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, Sunanda Nair |
| Sattriya | Indira P P Bora |