Classical dance: Odissi, Kathak, Manipuri, Sattriya and Chhau
Whole chapter · 20–30 focused hours
Performing arts
A first-attempt learner with school-level reading and little retained ancient/medieval history or art history. Later chapters assume the earlier chronological context; History optional and practical arts training are outside scope.
Includes
- Selected explanatory readings, images/maps and source extracts
- Brief chronology or comparison notes
- Available mapped practice, mistake review and one initial recall review
Separate time needed
- Subsequent spaced revision and full mock examinations
- Reading every reference book and optional exercise in full
- Exclude practical mastery of singing, dance or instruments, complete performer biographies and re-memorising UNESCO inscription years under Heritage.
Editorial planning estimate; not measured learner time
- Odissi (Odisha): mahari and gotipua traditions, chowk and tribhanga, Odhra Magadha in Natyashastra, Gita Govinda
- Kathak (north India): kathakars, Raslila of Braj, Mughal court, Lucknow (Wajid Ali Shah), Jaipur and Banaras gharanas
- Manipuri: Lai Haraoba, Ras Lila (Bhagyachandra), Pung cholom, Nata Sankirtana links
- Sattriya (Assam): created by Sankardeva in the fifteenth century in the sattras; combination of music, dance and drama; Vaishnavite; Ankia Naat; recognised 2000
- Chhau (UNESCO 2010): Purulia (West Bengal, masks), Seraikella (Jharkhand, masks), Mayurbhanj (Odisha, no masks); martial and Puranic themes
Where to study this topic
- Nitin Singhania, Indian Art and Culture (publisher page with table of contents) ↗
ch. 11
- Themes in Indian History Part II, Class XII (prelims and contents) ↗
Theme 6
- Our Pasts II, Class VII, ch. 7 The Making of Regional Cultures ↗
ch. 7 The Making of Regional Cultures, pp. 1-15 (printed 79-93)
Whole chapter reading
- Nitin Singhania, Indian Art and Culture (publisher page with table of contents) ↗
Chapters 10–12, music, dance and performance forms; use only sections filling gaps in the assigned school-text readings.
Book required - UNESCO ICH Representative List: Chhau dance (India, 2010) ↗
Description of performance styles, transmission and community context
- UNESCO ICH Representative List: Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre (India, 2008) ↗
Description of theatre practice and transmission
- UNESCO ICH Representative List: Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur (India, 2013) ↗
Description of the performing tradition
- UNESCO ICH Representative List: Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan (India, 2010) ↗
Description of music/dance and community practice
- Nitin Singhania, Indian Art and Culture (publisher page with table of contents) ↗
Chapters 12–13, modern theatre and cinema: compare form, audience and social purpose using the named traditions and examples.
Book required