Origins and history of dance
Dance does not leave behind clearly identifiable physical artifacts such as stone tools, hunting implements or cave paintings. It is not possible to say when dance became part of human culture. Dance has certainly been an important part of ceremony, rituals, celebrations and entertainment since before the birth of the earliest human civilizations. Archeology delivers traces of dance from prehistoric times such as the 9,000 year old Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka paintings in India and Egyptian tomb paintings depicting dancing figures from circa 3300 BC.
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Bharata Natyam or Bharatanatyam ( is a classical dance form originating in Tamil Nadu[1][2][3][4][5], India.
Natyam is usually accompanied by the classical music. It has its inspirations from the sculptures of the ancient temple of Chidambaram.
Bharata Natyam comes from the words Bhava (Expression), Raga (Music), Tala (Rhythm) and Natya[6][7] The Encyclopædia Britannica states that Bharata Natyam is Sanskrit for Bharata’s dancing. (Classic Indian Musical Theatre). Today, it is one of the most popular and widely performed dance styles and is practiced by many dancers all over the world.
"Momo chittey niti nrittye
Ke jey nachey
Ta ta thai thai"
When one hears these verses, the first image that comes to mind is of a dancer, sophisticatedly clad in a non-gaudy yet colourful saree, accessorised with a batik fetti and locks embellished with radiant flowers. "Rabindrik dance is Bangalee's very own dance. All the other traditional and classical dance forms did not originate in Bengal. Tagore started using dance in his plays, as a medium to articulately express the intense human emotions,"
Kathak (Hindi: कथक, Urdu: کتھک) is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, 
originated from northern India and areas which are now part of Pakistan. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or storytellers. These bards, performing in village squares and temple courtyards, mostly specialized in recounting mythological and moral tales from the scriptures, and embellished their recitals with hand gestures and facial expressions.The story of Kathak begins in ancient times with the performances of professional story-tellers called kathakas who recited or sang stories from epics and mythology with some elements of dance. The traditions of the kathakas were hereditary, and dances passed from generation to generation. There are literary references from the third and fourth centuries BC which refer to these kathakas. The two texts are in the archives of Kameshwar Library at Mithila.
Folk Dances in India
Bathakamma
A folk dance of Andhra Pradesh.
Bihu
Bihu is a folk dance from Assam. It is a very brisk and aggressive dance performed by both boys and girls.
Bagurumba
This is a folk dance from Assam. It is performed by the Bodos and is known for its colourful attire.
Bhangra
This is a folk dance from the Northwest Indian state of Punjab. It is a lively, powerful dance. (see Bhangra: Music and Dance from the Punjab
Chah Baganar Jumur Nach
This is a Dance from Assam. It is a dance of the tea gardens.
Changu
The changu dance is a folk dance found in Odissa and Andhra Pradesh. It derives its name from the changu, which is a simple tambourine (daf) that is used to accompany this dance.
Daankara
The daankara is a stick dance, similar in some ways to the dandiaya raas of gujarat. However, the daankar is performed in Punjab.
Dandaria
A folk dance of Andhra Pradesh.
Dasakathia
This is a folk theatre of Odissa. It is performed by a pair of performers who entertain the audience with dance, songs, and stories.
Dhamal
1) A folk dance of Punjab. 2) A folk dance of Andhra Pradesh
Gair
This is a dance of Rajasthan. It is performed by groups of dancers moving in and out with an almost military precision.
Garba
This is a folk dance from Gujarat. It is traditionally danced at marriages and during the time of Navaratri.
Gatka
A folk dance utilising swords, daggers, or sticks performed in the Punjab
Geendad
This is a folk dance of Rajasthan. It is very similar to the Gair.
Ghoomar
This is a folk dance of Rajasthan. It derives its name from its characteristic pirouettes.
Ghanta Patua
This is a folk dance of Odissa. Its name is derived from the large brass gongs known as ghanta. It is performed in the Hindu month of Chaitra. This dance is most notable because it is performed on stilts.
Giddha
This is a folk dance of Punjab, generally performed by women.
Gobbi
A folk dance of Andhra Pradesh.
Jhoomar
This is a dance of the Mundas and Mahantas of Odissa.
Jhumar
A slow version of bhangra performed at weddings and other festive events.
Julli
A Folk dance performed in the Punjab that is done sitting down.
Kacchhi Ghodhi
This is a folk dance of Rajasthan that is performed with a dummy horse.
Kandhei
(see Sakhi Nata)
Kavadi
This is a folk dance of Tamil Nadu. It is played with a wooden pole upon which are tied two pots. The stick is then balanced upon the shoulder.
Karagam
This is a folk dance of Tamil Nadu. It is played with a pot balanced on the head.
Kela Keluni
This is a dance performed by the Kelas of Odissa.
Kikli
A women's folk dance of the Punjab
Kushan
This is a folk theatre of Bangladesh and West Bengal (see "Kushan Theatre Revival In Bangladesh")
Laathi Nauch
This is a folk dance of NE India and Bangladesh. This was originally based upon a system of martial arts that uses large sticks (laathi). However in some case it has evolved into a game (Lathi Khelna) or a dance (Laathi Nauch).
Luddi
A very characteristic form of Bhangra.
Mathuri
A folk dance of Andhra Pradesh.
Raas
This is a folk dance from Gujarat. It is traditionally danced at marriages and during the time of Navaratri.
Saami
A Wemen's folk dance of the Punjab
Sakhi Nata
This is the puppet dance of Odissa.
Terahtali
This is a folk dance of Rajasthan. It is performed by women while they are seated.
Therukoothu
This is a folk theatre from the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Yaksha Gana
This is a folk theatre from the south Indian state of Karnatika.
Uday Shankar (8 December 1900 – 26 September 1977) (Bengali: উদয় শংকর), the pioneer of modern dance
Indian dancer and choreographer, was most known for adapting Western theatrical techniques to traditional Indian classical dance, imbued with elements of Indian classical, folk, and tribal dance, thus laying the roots of modern Indian dance, which he later popularized in India, Europe, and the United States in 1920s and 1930s and effectively placed Indian dance on the world map [1][2][3][4][5]. in India, and a world renowned
Born in Almora in Uttar Pradesh, India, Shankar was the son of Amala and Uday Shankar, popular dancers, and also the nephew of renowned sitarist Ravi Shankar.[1] Ananda did not learn sitar from his uncle but studied instead with Lalmani Misra at Banaras Hindu University.[1]
Mamata Shankar born in 1955 to Uday Shankar and Amala Shankar, her brother was a renowned indo-western 
fusion musician Ananda Shankar.She received her training in dance and choreography at the Uday Shankar India Culture Centre', Calcutta under Amala Shankar.
Tanusree Shankar was born in Calcutta. Her husband, the late Ananda Shankar, was a world famous music composer who experimented with fusion musicTanusree Shankar (born 16 March 1956) is one of the leading dancers and choreographers of contemporary dance in India and is based in Kolkata, India.
Madhuri Dixit (born Madhuri Shankar Dixit on 15 May 1967)[1] is an Indian Bollywood
actress. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, she established herself as one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses and accomplished dancers.[2
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