4. Dance Form and Music of India

Key elements3 :

1. Postures and Poses: Dancers use special poses and postures to show different characters and emotions. They also use special hand gestures called mudras to tell stories.

2. Costumes and Makeup: ​​Dancers wear colorful and traditional clothes to look like the characters in the stories they tell. Their costume is made from a sari, which is sewn into different parts. The lower half looks like pants (called salwar), and there is a pleated piece in the front that opens like a fan when they move. They also wear bright makeup to make their faces look clear and expressive.

3. Music and Instruments: Bharatanatyam is performed with music that has special rhythms and melodies. Instruments like drums, flutes, and voices create beautiful music to dance to.

Key elements5:

1. Posture and movement: Just like in Bharatanatyam, Odissi also uses posture and poses, and hand gestures called ‘mudras’, to tell stories and express feelings. Odissi includes elegant and curvaceous movements of the torso, which is a unique feature of this dance style.

2. Costumes and Jewellery: Odissi dancers wear colourful traditional costumes, which often include draped saree-like garments. They also wear jewellery on their waist that adds to the beauty of the performance.

3. Music and Rhythm: Odissi dance is accompanied by traditional Odissi music, which includes various instruments like the mardala (a percussion instrument), flute, and vocals. The rhythm and melody of the music compliment the dance movements.

Key elements7:

1. Poses and movement : Kathakali uses special hand gestures and strong, bold movements that match the beats of traditional music. The dancers' footwork and movements are very energetic and well-organized. 

2. Makeup and Costumes: One of the most special parts of Kathakali is its bright and colourful costumes and makeup. The dancers wear clothes that look like they are from a long time ago. They wear makeup that turns their faces into colorful masks. The colors of the makeup show what kind of character they are playing, such as a hero, a demon, or a god. 

3. Facial Expressions:  Kathakali is famous for its facial expressions. The dancers use their eyes, eyebrows, and lips to show many different emotions, like happiness, anger, or sadness. 

4. Music and Rhythm: The music in Kathakali is very important because it helps set the mood and tell the story. Instruments like the Chenda (a traditional drum) are often played during the performance. When something exciting happens, the music gets faster and louder to match the action.

To see how joyful and energetic Bhangra is, watch this video