Mohiniyattam

<p style="color:#dbdbdb ;padding:20px; border-left:5px solid #cecece;">The Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama in India, has conferred a classical status on eight dance forms of India namely Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Sattriya, Kathakali and Kathak. However, out of these, the Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam and Kathakali originated in South India. In addition to this, there is a dynamic combination of the graceful elegance of Bharatnatyam and the vigour of Kathakali. The fusion of these is the Mohinyattam dance. A dance originated in Kerela in South India, Mohiniyattam is a semi–classical dance form performed by women. Essentially a feminine dance, it is characterized by the movements of swaying coconut trees in the gentle breeze, so gentle and graceful like the waves in a calm sea or the swaying of the paddy plants in the field. Bharata Muni, in his Natya Shastra had detailed various vrithis (styles), out of which, the Mohiniyattam resembles the kaisiki (graceful) type. This style is the most appropriate for erotic sentiment and its related expressions as it belongs to the Lasya style which is feminine and consists of gentle Angaharas. Let us discuss Mohiniyattam in detail.</p>
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Manipuri Dance

<p style="color:#dbdbdb ;padding:20px; border-left:5px solid #cecece;">The north–eastern part of India has always been the crowning glories of Indian classical dances. Similar to the southern state of Kerela, the tiny state of Manipur in North India is rich in its theatrical tradition. One such eye–catching aspect of Manipur is the Manipuri Dance. The Manipuri dance is considered as one of the five major classical dances of India. Originated from Manipur, a state in the north–eastern part of India with Burma along its border, Manipuri dance is entirely religious and emphasizes on gaining spiritual experience. There are two unique factors of the Manipuri dance that distinguishes it with other dances. First, there is no exaggeration of movements and facial expressions as the dance is contained and controlled in its repertoire. Second, the dance has two categories namely the tandava (masculine) and lasya (feminine) and it is very difficult for dancers to master both the techniques. Its central theme is the Radha–Krishna’s Raslila.</p>
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Kurdish

<p style="color:#dbdbdb ;padding:20px; border-left:5px solid #ffe7ad;">A large number of ethnic groups are formed in the Middle East. Many different ancient cultures formed the Kurdish ethnicity through which derived the Kurdish culture. It was in the Medieval era when people from different origins and tribes came together to form the Kurd group. Since then, the Kurdish culture extended to such an extent that it came to be known as the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East after the Arabs, Turks and Persians. To understand this group, one can have a look at the Kurdish Dance. It is a complete reflection of the past history of the Kurdish people. Kurdish dance have rooted themselves through the religious beliefs of the people, national festivals and celebrations, local games of war and defence and spiritual and inner feelings and moods. Kurdish Dance is a traditional hand–holding dance performed in a circle with a single or a couple of figure dancers.</p>
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