MANIPURI

Let us take a look into the origins of this dance form.As we know , there are an array of this dance.The copper plate inscriptions tell us that the king Khuoyi Tompole of 2nd century , had introduced drums and cymbals into Manipuri dance. But it is unlikely it had any resemblance to the present day dance style.It was again the Bhakti movement during the 15th century which brought about drastic changes , and Krishna Bhakti led to Rasalila's.

ODISSI

Saint Jaidev was a great poet, who lived in Orissa during the 12th century AD.He learned sanskrit with such passion and became one of the greatest poet in the same language.He was born in Kenduli Sasan {formerely Kendubilva}.This is very near to Puri.Even today , the village of Kenduli Sasan is replete with images of Madhava{Krishna}.Undoubtedly the great poet must have been influenced , by the devotional milieu in that area when he composed his magnum opus, THE GITA GOVINDA.It became very popular throughout India during a brief period of its compositiion ,perhaps it was regularly performed in the Jagannath temple of PURI.

KUCHIPUDI

Srikakulam was the ancient capital of the SATAVAHANA empire {2 BC.}.The rulers of Satavahana were great patrons of art.From the inscriptions found here , on the temples of Andhra Vishnu , which was the most sacred shrine of those days , it is evident many devadasies received royal patronage .The sculptures excavated from this area show the grace of the women , whose dance was an art of worship.

BHARATA NATYAM

At this juncture we need to mention the unparalleled contribution by the four Tamil brothers of Tanjore famously known as the Tanjore Quartets. They are Sri.CHINNAYA {B.1802}, Sri.PONNIAH {B.1804} ,Sri.SIVANANDAM{B.1808}, and Sri.VADIVELU{B.1810}.The PARAMPARAI , artistic family lineage of the Tanjore Quartets goes back to 1638 to Sri.Gopala Nattuvanar {B.1638} who was a great artist. The brothers were groomed in carnatic music by Sri.Muthuswami Dikshitar of the celebrated Trinity of Carnatic music. Thus the dance which was popular only in the temples and courts was designed and codified as a stage art by these four well versed born artists.The QUARTETS thus became court musicians and the early promoters of ART.

MOHINIYATTAM

Mohiniyattam achieved the present identity and a strong stand among the other classical dance forms due to the relentless effort of great artists like Kalyani kutty Amma ,Kalpurattee Kunjukutty Amma and Thottacheri Chinnau Amma. The great poet of Kerala Sri.Vallathol ,in the 20th century established the Kerala Kalamamdalam to promote the arts of Mohiniyattam and Kathakali. The above mentioned three artists were invited by the poet to teach MOhiniyattam at the institution.The song of MOhiniyattam is based on Carnatic music and the language used is Manipravalam {a mix of Malayalam and Sanskrit}.

KATHAKALI

The history of this artform can be traced back almost 1000 years , where the seed lay embedded in the artform called, "KOODIYATTAM".Koodiyattam is the oldest classical artform of Kerala.It is offered as a votive offering to the deity.Koodiyattam literally means "acting together".Kathakali evolved across during the last 400 to 500 years.The contributiion of Maharaja kartika thirunal Rama Varma to kathakali is incomparable.A descendant of the ancient Chera Kings of South India , he encouraged arts and literature in the 18th century.

MANIPURI

RASALILA can be seen as a ubiquitous presence in most of the dance forms.It is a favourite dance in a circle by Krishan with his milkmaids.The dances are presented as a group with Krishna at the helm of the whole show. The dance takes its own style in the different artforms. In Manipuri, it is presented as a group with gorgeous colourful costumes and gentle swaying petal soft movements.