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Indian classical dances originated in the temples and in royal courts of India. They are based on Bharata muni's Natya shastra and Nandikeshwara's Abhinaya Darpana, the two treatises on dance. All classical dance forms are mostly based on mythological stories. The seven most famous Indian classical dances are Bharathanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattom and Kathakali. Wiki link

Bharathanatyam is over 2000 years old and is classical dance from the state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the most popular Indian classical dance forms recognized internationally. Bharathanatyam is a vibrant dance form that combines rhythmic footwork with intricate hand gestures and subtle movements of the whole body parts. The dance has crisp geometrical movements; sculpture - like poses and fast and rhythmic footwork and delicate facial expression. Typically, several years of training are required for the dancer to perfect the combination of these elements that characterize Bharathanatyam. There are two versions to the literal meaning of the word Bharathanatyam. One version is that it is the dance (natyam) written by the sage Bharata. And the other version is that its the combination of Bha - for Bhava (the expressions), Ra - for Raga (the melody) Ta - for Tala (the rhythm) and Natyam - for Natya (the dance). Wiki link

Mohiniyattom is the female classical dance of God's own country; the state of Kerala. Mohiniyattom literally means "the dance of the enchantress." It is said that the graceful movements remind one of the gentle swaying of the green paddy fields. Mohiniyattom has evolved from both Bharathanataym and Kathakali, the two other classical dance forms from south of India. Wiki link

Kathakali is a highly stylized classical dance drama from the state of Kerala with stories based on great Indian epics. Kathakali literally means story (Katha) play (kali). It can be compared to a ballet in which each individual artist portrays a character from an Indian epic. Kathakali is a visual art where every character has got its own elaborate make-up and costume which gives them a super human effect. Wiki link

Bollywood is the term for the Indian film industry, which is mainly settled in Bombay. Producing approximately 900 feature films a year, it is high above the average of film productions done in Hollywood. An Indian journalist once created the term "Bollywood" by replacing the 'H' from Hollywood with the 'B' from Bombay (Mumbai) and thus coming up with a term that was to become world wide famous. The term "Bollywood Dance" derives its name from the famous and beautiful dance and song scenes from the Bollywood movies which thus created a new dance style. Whereas in older films (until the Eighties) almost exclusively classical dance and song sequences were shown, in the films of the Nineties a new modern dance style came into being. Elements of Classical Indian Dance were mixed with Jazz Dance, Modern Dance, Oriental Dance, Hip Hop etc. and therefore a new era for dance in Bollywood Movies had begun. Along with the dance style, the film music changed accordingly and became more modern. Inspiration was drawn from all over the world, thus pieces with Flamenco parts and Latin American or Hip Hop influences from the USA emerged. The dance scenes are each different depending on the film's setting and plot. There are also typical gypsy pieces from Rajasthan where the female dancers wear shorter skirts than usual and also tattoos. The song lyrics are correspondingly cheeky. Beside that there are very modern dance pieces too in which Rock'n'Roll, Tap Dance, Oriental Dance etc. are integrated and are being danced to in costumes that fit the respective dance style. In those dance sequences there are hardly any typical Indian dance movements to be found. Wiki link