Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s1.t6.3

v2.c11.s1.t6.3

The Sangeet Natak Academi (Music and Dance Academy), Indian national academy for performing arts, recognises eight distinctive traditional dances as Indian classical dance forms. Each form of Indian dance has developed its own unique skill along with social evolution in the past centuries. Although they originated from different parts of India and imbibed elements from other parts of the country, they still share some aesthetic principles, skill features, and subjects from Indian mythology. The eight major Indian classical dances include Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Odissi, Sattriya and Mohiniyattam.