Classical Dance Forms of India

Aug 2020|🟢Current|2 min read|10 entries

Key Takeaway

The culture of India is unique compared to the rest of the world and this uniqueness is reflected in our art forms.

Last verified: 12 Feb 2026·Source: www.pscarivukal.com

Classical Dance Forms of India(10)

According to the Indian Ministry of Culture, India has 9 Classical dance forms. They are as follows:=========================================================================âś… Andhra Pradesh
KuchipudiMusic & Instruments–Music– Carnatic music
Instruments
Mridangam, Cymbals, Veena, Flute & Tambura
Famous Artists
Yamini Krishnamurthy, Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam, Padma Subrahmanyam, Radha Reddy & Raja Reddy.=========================================================================✅ Assam –SattriyaMusic & Instruments–Music– Borgeet (a collection of lyrical songs based on classical ragas) of Sankardev & Madhavdev
Instruments
Khol (two-faced asymmetrical drum). Cymbals (Manjira, Bhortal), Flute, Harmonium & ViolinFamous Artists– Srimanta Sankardev, Ghanakanta Bora Borbayan.=========================================================================✅ Manipur – ManipuriMusic & Instruments–Music– Poetry of Jayadev, Gyandas, Chandidas & Govindadas (written in Sanskrit, Brij or Maithili)Instruments– Pena (String instrument), Pung (two-faced cylindrical drum), Cymbals (Manjira[kartal or mangkang], Bhortal), Flute, Sembong, Harmonium, Shankh (conch) & Esraj
Famous Artists
Guru Bipin Singh, Bino Devi, Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Savita Mehta.=========================================================================✅ Kerala – Kathakali, MohiniyattamKathakali–Music & Instruments–Music– Carnatic musicInstruments– Chenda, Mridangam, Cymbals, Idakka, Veena, Flute & Tambura
Famous Artists
Kalamandalam Gopi, Kottakkai Sivaraman, Kalamandalam Kesavan Namboodiri & Ramankutty NairMohiniyattam–Music & Instruments–Music– Intermix of Malayalam & Sankrit vocal music
Instruments
Kuzhitalam (cymbals), ldakka, Mridangam, VeenaFamous Artists– Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, Kalamandalam Kshemavathy Pavithran, Pallavi Krishnan, Gopika Verma & Sunanda Nair=========================================================================✅ Odisha – OdissiMusic & Instruments–Music– South Indian & North Indian Music
Instruments
Pakhavaj, Tabla, Swarmandal, Harmonium, Sitar, Flute, Violin, & Cymbals
Famous Artists
Sonal Mansingh, Mayadhar Raut, Jhelum, Paranjape & Kelucharan Mohapatra.=========================================================================✅ Tamil Nadu – BharatanatyamMusic & Instruments–Music– Carnatic musicInstruments– Mridangam, Nadaswaram, Nattuvangam (cymbals), Manjira, Flute, Violin & VeenaFamous Artists– Rukmini Devi Arundale, C.V. Chandrasekhar, M.K. Saroja, Mr. & Mrs. Dhananjayan (Shanta & V.P. Dhananjayan), Mrinalini Sarabhai & E. Krishna Iyer=========================================================================✅ Uttar Pradesh – KathakMusic & Instruments–Music– Hindustani MusicInstruments– Bansuri, Ghungharu, Pakhawaj, Tabla, Sarangi, Sitar, Harmonium, Flute, SarodFamous Artists– Pandit Birju Maharaj, Shovana Narayan & Sitara Devi=========================================================================✅ Jharkand – ChhauMusic & Instruments–Music– based on folk melodies
Instruments
Mohuri, Shehnai, Dhol, Dhumsa, Kharka or ChadchadiFamous Artists– Pandit Gopal Prasad DubeyMakar & Dhwaja Darogha=========================================================================Among these Classical dance forms, Bharatnatyam is considered as the oldest