Top Dance Institutes in India

Dance in India

Dance Institutes in India

Dance started as an entertainment element then moved forward as a hobby and is now as serious as any other degree course that students can take up right after finishing their schooling with a plus two level certificate. Indian dance forms emerged as a way of expressing one’s emotions using the rhythmic hand and leg movements perfectly synchronising with each other. But today Indian dance has become a perennial source of entertainment that heaves audience from the whole world. Apart from the various folk forms that are performed as a means of celebrating joy among different groups of people, there are divine classical forms such as Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, odissi, Mohini Attam, kathak and Manipuri in India.
 

Top Dance Schools in India

• Banaras Hindu University – Varanasi – Diploma in Bharathanatyam and kathak
• Rabindra Bharati University – Calcutta – B.A Hons in Dance and M.A in dance
• University of Calicut – Kozhikode – B.A Fine Arts (Bharathanatyam and kathakali)
• University of Mumbai – Mumbai – BFA (Dance) and MFA (Dance) in bharathanatyam, Mohini attam, kathakali.
• Visva Bharati – Sangita Bhavana – B.Mus in Manipuri and kathakali
• Certificate and Diploma in Manipuri/Kathakali.
• Tilak Maharastra Vidyapeeth – Pune – Diploma in Indian classical dance and BA in Indian classical dance.

Dance courses in India

Though dance in India has diverged into various classical and modern forms, Dance schools in India still believe in keeping up the traditional approach for teaching, the teacher-disciple tradition.

There are a number of schools in India that are working on teaching the performing art to the students, but further more there are also colleges and universities that offer full time/ part time theory courses in these dance forms. Thereby the students not only perform the art but also know the origin and spirituality related to the art.
The candidate can either take a graduation course (BA Dance) or a Masters degree (MA Dance) in dancing. For the bachelor’s degree the prerequisite would be the 10+2 certificate and for the masters you need to have a bachelor’s degree in dancing. Both these are 3 year courses. There is also a 3 year Diploma course that is offered in dance.
 

Classical Indian dance

India offers a number of classical Indian dance forms, each of which can be traced to different parts of the country. Each form represents the culture and ethos of a particular region or a group of people. The seven main styles are Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Manipuri and Kathakali. 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. Acting or natya is a broad concept which encompasses both drama and dance.


Indian classical dance is a misnomer, and actually refers to Natya, the sacred Hindu musical theatre styles. Its theory can be traced back to the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni (400 BC). The Sangeet Natak Akademi currently confers classical status on eight "dance" forms:


Bharatanatyam
Kathak
Kathakali
Kuchipudi
Manipuri
Mohiniaattam
Odissi
Sattriya


Indian folk dances

Indian folk and tribal dances are simple dances, and are performed to express joy.

Folk dances are performed for every possible occasion, to celebrate the arrival of seasons, birth of a child, a wedding and festivals. The dances are extremely simple with minimum of steps or movement. The dances burst with verve and vitality. Men and women perform some dances exclusively, while in some performances men and women dance together. On most occasions, the dancers sing themselves, while being accompanied by artists on the instruments. Each form of dance has a specific costume. Most costumes are flamboyant with extensive jewels.

While there are numerous folk and tribal dances, they are constantly improved. The skill and the imagination of the dances influence the performance.

Indian classical dance is a misnomer, and actually refers to Natya, the sacred Hindu musical theatre styles. Its theory can be traced back to the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni (400 BC).

Dances performed inside the sanctum of the temple according to the rituals were called Agama Nartanam. This was a spiritual dance form.
Dances performed in royal courts to the accompaniment of classical music were called Carnatakam. This was an intellectual art form.
Darbari Aatam form of dance appealed more to the commoners and it educated them about their religion, culture and social life. These dances were performed outside the temple precincts in the courtyards.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi currently confers classical status on eight "dance" forms:

Bharatanatyam
Kathak
Kathakali
Kuchipudi
Manipuri
Mohiniaattam
Odissi
Sattriya