• India is home to many classical and folk dance traditions.Taj Mahal image by Jono026 from Fotolia.com
  
  The country of India has a rich and varied cultural history. India is home to many styles of dance, from classical temple dances, to lively celebratory folk dance, to the contemporary Bollywood film dance styles. The dances of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka share certain aesthetic similarities, but costume, function and choreographic elements vary greatly from region to region.
  
  

Classical

• Classical dances tell stories of the Hindu gods and goddesses.Hanuman Statue in Orissa, India image by Sujit Mahapatra from Fotolia.com
  
  The choreography of classical Indian dance requires years of formal study to reach a level of mastery. Classical dance is taken seriously as an art form as it serves a religious function. Classical dances originated in temples and tells stories of the gods and goddesses of the Indian faith based on Hindu epics such as the Ramayana. The choreography features exact, detailed movements of the head, fingers and feet. The fingers in classical dance form specific shapes called "mudras" which are used to communicate with the gods. Even the motion of the eyes while dancing is important to correctly executing classical dances. In some styles, performers wear anklets and bracelets with small bells which make sound as the dancer moves. Dancers must stay exactly with time of the music. Classical dances range in speed and can include energetic moves which require high levels of stamina and speed or slower movements requiring balance, control and impeccable timing. The San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, an annual performance of dance styles from around the world, regularly presents performances of various styles of Indian classical dance.
  
  

Folk

• As with classical Indian dance, folk dances vary across the regions of the Indian Subcontinent. Folk dances do not require as much formal training as do classical dances. People perform Indian folk dances at weddings, parties, festivals and other celebrations. Many forms feature props such as swords or sticks. Dances of folk traditions are highly energetic and lively. The choreography is generally simpler than classical dance, as folk dances are parts of social affairs, with participants of every skill level. Some folk dances are theatrical affairs, in which the dancers themselves take part in singing the accompaniment.
  
  

Bollywood

• Bollywood musicals feature performers in brightly colored costumes.THIS IS MYTHLOGICAL ART FOME OF INDIA image by mkb from Fotolia.com
  
  The term "Bollywood" refers to the Indian film industry, based in the city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay). Bollywood musicals feature song and dance routines. Bollywood dance forms are based on classical and folk forms, but have been adapted to include simpler moves and allow for larger groups of performers. Bollywood choreography is often fused with moves from Western dance such as ballet or hip-hop. Two English language films featuring Bollywood song and dance and Indian, British and American actors are "Bollywood/Hollywood" (2002) and "Bride and Prejudice" (2005), which follow Bollywood storylines but are more focused toward a Western audience. The Bollywood musical tradition proves that Indian dance is not a static art, but continues to develop and innovate while retaining a level of cultural integrity.