One of the most ethnically diverse countries to exist today, India is home to numerous cultures that have continued to coexist despite the vast distinctions between them. These beautiful cultures have expressed themselves through various forms of fine art since the early development of its civilization, and classical dance is one of the more popular practices.
There are currently eight forms of Indian classical dance as recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Odissi, Mohiniyattam, Manipuri and Sattriya. Chhau is also recognized as a classical form of dance by the Ministry of Culture; however, many more regional dance forms other than these exist within the nation. All these forms of dance have a common origin, lying in the Natya Shastra, a 2000-year-old treatise written by Bharata Muni (Kathak also shows a Persian influence), although it is also believed that dance had existed during the time of the creation of the Vedas, dating back to around 1000 B.C. Most Indian dance forms originated in temples as a form of worship, as well as in royal courts, and soon expanded to include storytelling and the expression of mythology as well as true stories and poetry, using elaborate gestures and lines as a means of passing these down to future generations.
When India was colonized, British propaganda began depicting Indian art forms, especially dance, as unsophisticated and inferior to Western culture. The tradition of dancing in temples and courts began to be linked with promiscuity, and thus, were held in low esteem. The art of dancing began to be rapidly dissociated with its original intention, to the point where social reformers, influenced by the Western view, began launching campaigns that championed dance being viewed as a social evil. Legislations were passed to make temple dancing illegal. Since dance also served as a means of livelihood for people of low status in those times, it became difficult for them to survive.
As a part of India’s struggle to gain independence from British rule, many notable Indian figures and freedom fighters began to revisit their roots and rediscover the heritage of Indian dance. Uday Shankar, Dr. Muthulaxmi Reddi, and E. Krishna Iyer are only a few of those that pioneered the mission of the revival of Indian dance. Legendary poets such as Vallathol and Dr. Rabindrath Tagore promoted classical dance through their work as well. The urban Indian elite also began supporting the movement. Institutions promoting and teaching dance began to be set up and dance became more gender- and caste-inclusive. Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri and Kathakali were the first dance forms to be revived, and they also began to be reinterpreted, which led to the creation of newer styles such as Mohiniyattam. Amidst both support and scrutiny, Indian dance began to thrive again.
While dance is no longer performed in temples and royal courts today, modern Indian dance has managed to preserve the meaning and ambience of the dance of those times. It is a product of everything it has faced in the past, as well as the modern embellishments it has received in the present. With time, the scope for innovation within Indian classical dance has also risen, which has provided it with unique challenges and opportunities.
As the popularity of western dance rises in India, so do discussions and comparisons of it with classical dance. Many think the popularity of western dance will take away from that of classical dance, and thus, in turn, also westernize Indian culture, but as a classical dancer who also does hip-hop, I do not think it is fair to compare two dance forms that are so different from each other. While western dance is gaining popularity due to its flexibility towards experimentation and the increasing fascination of the general public towards different western dance styles, classical dance has been able to hold its own even in the present day. For every person learning western dance, there is an equal number of people learning various forms of Indian classical dance. There are also quite a number of people that fly to India to learn these styles. Western and Indian dances have both had influences on each other, as seen with the birth of semi-classical dance forms and the use of classical fundamentals in western dance in recent times. We can, hence, think of western dance and classical dance in the Indian scenario as two flowers blooming side by side, rather than a weed encroaching upon a garden, constricting what has already grown.
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