The Government of India has taken steps to integrate various forms of Indian traditional dances into the school education framework. This promotion is in alignment with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

NEP-2020 advocates art-integrated education as a cross-curricular pedagogical approach, encouraging the incorporation of Indian art forms such as traditional dance into mainstream classroom learning.

It emphasizes the significance of Indian arts at all levels of education to foster creativity, cultural rootedness, and holistic development in students.

‘Kala Dharohar’ Series

To this end, the Ministry of Culture, through its autonomous organization Sangeet Natak Akademi, has launched the ‘Kala Dharohar’ Series, which is specifically designed to promote awareness and appreciation of Indian performing arts—including classical dance—among school students.

In furtherance of these goals, other bodies under the Ministry of Culture, such as the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), also conduct workshops, orientation programmes, and cultural activities in schools across the country, contributing to the promotion of Indian arts and culture.

The Government of India thorough its autonomous body Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) provides scholarship for preservation and promotion of diverse, varied and rich Indian cultural heritage.

CCRT through Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme, CTSSS (10-14 Years) since 1982 provides specialized training in various cultural fields such as traditional forms of music, dance, drama as well as painting, sculpture, crafts and literary activities.

CCRT is implementing Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme (CTSSS), in this scheme the value of scholarship is Rs.3600/- per year for the scholarship holder in addition to reimbursement of actual tuition fee paid to the Guru/Teacher, up to a ceiling of Rs.9000/- per year.

The number of scholarships awarded across the country under the above-mentioned scheme for the field of Indian Classical Dances during the last five years is as follows:

Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme for the session 2020-21, was 213 scholarships; For 2021-22, 224; for 2022-23, 154; 2023-24, 242; and in the session 2024-25, 269 scholarships.

The most prominent Indian classical dances are Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, and Sattriya. These dance forms are distinguished by their adherence to the principles outlined in the ancient Indian text, Natyashastra.

As per a brief overview of each, ‘Bharatanatyam’ is from Tamil Nadu, known for its grace, precision, and sculpturesque poses. Bharatanatyam intricates footwork and hand gestures. It's one of the eight recognized Indian classical dances and is deeply rooted in Hindu religious themes and spiritual ideas. The dance is characterized by its structured movements, expressive hand gestures (mudras), and rhythmic footwork, often accompanied by Carnatic music.

Kathak - The Graceful Dance

Kathak’ from Uttar Pradesh (North India) is characterized by intricate footwork, spins, and storytelling through hand gestures and facial expressions. The name "Kathak" itself is derived from the Sanskrit word "katha," meaning story, and "kathakar," meaning storyteller. Kathak dancers use hand movements, facial expressions, and rhythmic footwork, often accompanied by tabla and other instruments, to narrate stories from Hindu epics and mythology.

Kathakali - The intriguing Dance Form

Kathakali from Kerala is a vibrant dance-drama with elaborate costumes, vibrant makeup, and storytelling through facial expressions and hand gestures. It combines dance, drama, music, and acting to present stories, often drawn from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The fully developed style of Kathakali originated around the 16th century, but its roots are in the temple and folk arts (such as Krishnanattam and religious drama of the kingdom of the Zamorin of Calicut) of the southwestern Indian peninsula.

Kuchipudi is a classical Indian dance form originating from Andhra Pradesh, known for its graceful movements, intricate footwork, and expressive storytelling. It blends elements of Nritta (pure dance), Nritya (expressional dance), and Natya (drama), often incorporating theatrical aspects. The dance form is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and spirituality, particularly associated with the worship of the deity Krishna.**

Manipuri dance is a major Indian classical dance form originating from the northeastern state of Manipur. It is characterized by its graceful, flowing movements, often described as wave-like, and its strong connection to religious and devotional themes, particularly those associated with Hindu Vaishnavism.

Mohiniyattam is a classical Indian dance form originating from Kerala, known for its graceful, feminine movements, subtle facial expressions, and emphasis on acting. It is traditionally performed by women and characterized by delicate body movements, gentle footwork, and a focus on hand gestures and facial expressions.

Odissi is a classical Indian dance form originating from the eastern Indian state of Odisha. It is known for its lyrical and sensual movements, often depicting themes of love, devotion, and the human-divine connection. Odissi is rooted in ancient texts like the Natya Shastra and the Abhinaya Darpana, and its movements are based on two fundamental postures: the Chowk and the Tribhanga.

Sattriya dance form is one of the eight recognized Indian classical dance forms, originating from Assam. It is deeply rooted in the spiritual and artistic traditions of the region and was introduced by the saint Srimanta Sankardeva. Sattriya is known for its elegance, grace, and connection to religious narratives and rituals.

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