India is a country known for its diverse cultures, traditions and languages. While 6 major classical dance styles have evolved in India's past 2000 years, most of that development seems to be linked to a 2nd century B.C. treatise. This treatise, Bharata's Natyashastra, is the most important source for establishing the characteristics of Indian drama (natya, meaning drama or theatre; shastra, a generic term referring to any authoritative text). Its date of publication hasn't yet been agreed on, and currently lies between 200 BC and AD 200.

How does a treatise on drama contain invaluable information on dance and music? It was because ancient theatre in India was an amalgamation of all the performing arts. Thus, an actor or an actress also had to be an expert in dance and music. This treatise lays down two aspects of dance, Nritta - pure dance and Nritya - or interpretative dance. Nritta, or pure dance, is the expression of rhythmic movement primarily through use of the hands and feet often in specific poses.

These movements are not designed to convey any particular meaning, emotion, or theme. Their purpose is to create a collage of rhythmic lines, forms and shapes for the sake of their own art - to share the beauty of the abstract form. The draw to the dance lies in the exactness of the interpretation of instruments through the mastery of the footwork and coordination with that of the hand and body.

Nritta helps in improving dancer's stamina and his skill over rhythm. Both Indian music and dance are based on the concept of tala (cyclic rhythm characterized by the number of beats). The simplest manner in which to explain this is by way of time. Time is divided into units (minutes) and then into sub-units (seconds). Similarly tala can be divided into a units and sub-units. There are various types of tala and the total number of units contained usually distinguishes them from one another.Rhythmic patterns of the hands and feet are interwoven with the notes of the musical instruments. While a dancer executes these movements, he has to keep a precise balance between the two elements, vigorous and the gentle. For example, in most Indian classical dance styles, stamping of the feet is a common feature. A set of stamps should consist of both hard and soft ones. An imbalance in them will result in the movements looking either too harsh or too lifeless.

The second aspect is Nritya, or interpretative dance. This form uses gestures and facial expressions to show the poetic or emotional meaning while combining rhythmic gaits and postures. Here, the systematic gesture language occupies an important place. It is just like the language used by the hearing impaired, with the exception that it is more stylized. The actor in ancient Indian theatre had to be well versed in the form of dance, therefore it is quite natural that he must have a mastery over the gesture language. One of the most important records of Indian Dance is the 12th century treatise called the Abhinaya Darpana, which refers to the mirror of gestures.
It lays down single and double-handed gestures used for showing objects, actions, emotions, standing and sitting postures, leaps, jumps and gaits. When it comes to improvised choreography, Nritya occupies an important place. To illustrate, if the dancer is dancing a love song, he is expected to explain the literal meaning of those lyrics and therein lies the real test of imagination i.e. spinning out a story and making the audience see various shades of emotion through his story. In India, most classical dances evolved as a temple art. Dance was one of the mediums of worship. The dancer performed facing the idol of the God. Thus the reason Indian classical dance is primarily a solo based art. It is only now that ballets or group dances are in vogue. But still, true classical Indian dance remains as a solo performing art. The performance has a specific traditional structure, which has been passed through the generations. The combination of pure dance (Nritta) and interpretative dance (Nritya) in varying degrees leads us to the creation of different dance items resulting in the final picture of an Indian Classical dance performance.
STYLES
1.Bharatanatyam - Bharatanatyam is a classical dance form originating is South India (Tamil Nadu).Bharatanatyam is thought to have been created by Bharata Muni, a Hindu sage, who wrote the Natya Shastra, the most important ancient treatise on classical Indian dance. It is also called the fifth Veda in reference to the foundation of Hindu religion and philosophy, from which sprang the related South Indian musical tradition of Carnatic music. Bharatanatyam is a traditional dance-form known for its grace, purity, tenderness, and sculpturesque poses. Today, it is one of the most popular and widely performed dance styles and is practiced by male and female dancers all over India.

2.Mohini Attam - The dance of the enchantress, Mohiniattam is a female classical dance form of Kerala (Southern state of India) Mohiniyattam is based on the themes of love and devotion and more often the hero is Vishnu or Krishna.. It was mainly performed in the Temple precincts of Kerala.

3.KATHAKALI - Most important of the Indian dance drama style is Kathakali from Kerala (southern State of India)In Kathakali, the make-up is very elaborate and intricate, and each character has a set mode, which is strictly observed. Red green, black, yellow, orange...these are the predominant colours in Kathakali make-up. The colours used have a significance and a direct bearing on the characters.
4.ODISSI - Orissa, on the Eastern sea coast Of India, is the home of the highly sensuous and lyrical form of dance known as Odissi. It has an intensely emotional and lyrical structure and consists of literary compositions on the Krishna theme, the staple being the 12th century poem Geet Govinda by Jayadev. Nritta and Nritya or evenly balanced in a recital. Odissi is a dance of love and passion, tender and intense. Inspired by temple carvings, its poses are statuesque at vibrant.

5. Kathak - This dance originated from the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh (North India) by KATHAKKARS or storytellers.
6.Kuchipudi - This dance style, which originated as a ballet form of dance from the village named Kuchipudi from Andra Pradesh (South India).

7. Manipuri - Manipuri is located in the North Eastern Part of India, surrounded by mountain ranges is famous for Manipuri dances which is mainly devotional, lyrical, grace, lightness of tread and delicacy of hand gestures.