Bharatanatyam vs Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Kathak and Odissi

Bharatanatyam comes from Tamil Nadu and is known for geometric lines, a deep araimandi and Carnatic music. Kuchipudi, from Andhra Pradesh, is quicker and more dramatic. Mohiniyattam, from Kerala, sways gently in white and gold. Kathak, from North India, uses Hindustani music, fast spins and straight legs. Odissi, from Odisha, is built on the three-bend tribhanga.

Eight classical forms, one shared root

The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognises eight classical dance forms: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, Sattriya, Manipuri and Mohiniyattam. All of them look back to the Natya Shastra. They share its ideas of nritta (pure dance), nritya (expressive dance) and abhinaya (the art of expression), and all use hand gestures and facial expression to tell stories. Their differences come from region, language, music and the communities that preserved them. This article compares Bharatanatyam with four of the forms parents ask about most.

Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam developed in Tamil Nadu from Sadir, the dance of the devadasis, and was revived and renamed in the 1930s. Our history of Bharatanatyam tells the full story. Its music is Carnatic. The ensemble includes a nattuvanar who conducts with cymbals and spoken syllables, a vocalist, the mridangam (a double-headed drum) and violin, flute or veena. See music and rhythm in Bharatanatyam for more.

The movement vocabulary rests on araimandi, the half-seated stance with knees turned out. Adavus are crisp and geometric, and the arms extend in straight lines. The costume is stitched silk with a pleated fan that opens in araimandi, worn with gold temple jewellery.

Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi takes its name from a village in Andhra Pradesh. It grew from a dance-drama tradition performed by Brahmin men, and its early history is associated with Siddhendra Yogi. The dance-drama Bhama Kalapam, about Krishna's consort Satyabhama, is central to its repertoire. The music is Carnatic and the songs are mostly in Telugu.

Compared with Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi movement is quicker, rounder and more fluid. There are more leaps and a stronger sense of character and drama. Its best-known item is the tarangam, in which the dancer performs on the rim of a brass plate, sometimes with a pot of water balanced on the head. The costume and jewellery look similar to Bharatanatyam at first glance, so movement is the more reliable way to tell them apart.

Mohiniyattam

Mohiniyattam is the classical dance of Kerala. Its name refers to Mohini, the enchantress form of Vishnu. It is a lasya, or graceful, form traditionally performed by women. In the twentieth century it was revived through the Kerala Kalamandalam, founded by the poet Vallathol Narayana Menon.

The movement is soft and continuous. The torso sways from side to side in circular movements. The footwork is gentle rather than percussive. Lyrics are often in Manipravalam, a blend of Malayalam and Sanskrit. The costume is easy to recognise: off-white with a gold border, and the hair is gathered in a bun to the left side of the head, encircled with jasmine.

Kathak

Kathak comes from North India. Its name comes from the kathakars, storytellers who recited and performed tales from the epics. It later developed in the courts, including the Mughal courts, and today it is taught in gharanas, or schools, such as Lucknow, Jaipur and Banaras. Kathak is set to Hindustani music, with tabla or pakhawaj, and often sarangi or harmonium.

The movement is very different from Bharatanatyam. The legs are mostly kept straight, without a deep bent-knee stance. The signature elements are chakkars, rapid spins, and intricate footwork called tatkar, played on many ankle bells. Dancers often recite bols, rhythmic syllables, before dancing them. Costumes include a flowing anarkali-style dress or a lehenga with a dupatta, and the flare of the skirt in a spin is part of the effect.

Odissi

Odissi comes from Odisha and is closely linked to temple dance, including the Mahari tradition of the Jagannath temple at Puri, and to the gotipua boy dancers. It was reconstructed and codified in the mid-twentieth century by gurus including Kelucharan Mohapatra. The music is Odissi, played with the mardala drum, and the Gita Govinda of Jayadeva is central to its abhinaya.

Two positions define the form. The chauka is a square, wide stance. The tribhanga is a pose with three bends, at the neck, torso and hip, which gives Odissi its sculptural curve. Bharatanatyam keeps the torso upright, so the contrast is easy to see. Odissi dancers wear silver jewellery and a tahia, a crown-like headpiece behind the bun. Recitals often move from Mangalacharan through Pallavi to Moksha.

Comparison at a glance

How to tell them apart quickly

• Look at the legs. A deep, steady bent-knee stance suggests Bharatanatyam or Odissi. Mostly straight legs with spins suggest Kathak.
• Look at the torso. An upright torso suggests Bharatanatyam. A three-bend curve suggests Odissi. A gentle sway suggests Mohiniyattam.
• Listen to the drum. Mridangam means Carnatic music, so Bharatanatyam or Kuchipudi. Tabla means Kathak.
• Check the colours and metal. White and gold points to Mohiniyattam, silver to Odissi, gold temple jewellery to Bharatanatyam or Kuchipudi.

Which classical dance might suit a child?

Every one of these forms gives a child rhythm, posture, coordination and a connection to Indian music and stories. The practical questions usually decide the matter. Is there a good teacher close to home? Does the child enjoy the class? Can the family keep up regular attendance for several years? In Chennai, Bharatanatyam is the most widely taught form, which makes it easy to find classes, recitals and fellow students.

Bharatanatyam suits children who enjoy clear rules, counting and strong rhythm. The adavus are learnt step by step, and progress is easy to see. Our article on the right age to start Bharatanatyam covers readiness. At Mayura Natyalaya in Porur, children begin from age five in the Pandanallur style, and our Bharatanatyam classes for kids page has more details.