Kathakali is a classical dance form from Kerala featuring elaborate costumes and makeup. Bharatanatyam is a classical South Indian dance practiced by women and accompanied by Carnatic music. Folk dances in rural India express daily life and rituals through group performances at religious festivals. Contemporary Indian dance incorporates cinema, ballet, and experiments blending classical and folk styles.

1. Classical
Dance
Folk
Dance
Contemporar
y Dance
Bellwood
Dance

2. Shiva as Nat raja is worshipped
as the Lord of Dance in
Hinduism

4. Kathakali (katha, “story”; kali, “performance”) is a
highly stylized classical dance-drama form which
originated from Kerala in the 17th century. This
classical dance form is particularly noticed for dancer's
elaborate costume, towering head gear, billowing
skirts, and long silver nails.

6. Dating back to 1000 BCE, Bharatanatyam is a classical
dance from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu,
practiced predominantly in modern times by women.
The dance is usually accompanied by classical Carnatic
music

7. Folk dances and plays in India retain significance rural areas as the expression
of the daily work and rituals of village communities. These dances have their
roots in religious and seasonal festivals that have become a background for
such celebrations. They are mostly performed in groups.

8. Contemporary dance in India encompasses a wide range of dance activities
currently performed in India. It includes choreography for Indian cinema,
modern Indian ballet and experiments with existing classical and folk forms
of dance by various artists.