Classical dances
Codified forms with long training, a theory and a set repertoire.
🇮🇹 Italy and 2 moreBallet
A highly technical stage dance with its own steps and styles, shaped in France and RussiaClassical dance · Solo · Group
🇮🇳 IndiaBharatanatyamபரதநாட்டியம்
A South Indian classical dance from Tamil Nadu, performed solo in temples and on stages.Classical dance · Solo
🇹🇭 ThailandThai danceนาฏศิลป์
Classical and folk dances shaped by many cultures across Thailand’s regionsClassical dance · Solo · Group
🇯🇵 JapanKabuki歌舞伎
A stylised Japanese theatre form using dance, drama and elaborate makeup.Classical dance · Group
🇫🇷 FranceMinuetmenuet
A French social dance for two people in triple time, known for its graceful and controlled steps.Social dance · Couple
🇮🇳 IndiaKathakali
A classical dance-drama of Kerala with vivid costumes and expressive storytellingClassical dance · Group
🇮🇳 India and 1 moreKathak
A North Indian classical dance of rhythm and storytelling, shaped by temple roots and Mughal courts.Classical dance · Solo
🇮🇳 IndiaOdissiଓଡ଼ିଶୀ
A classical dance-drama from the temples of Odisha, shaped by devotion and storytellingClassical dance · Solo · Group
🇮🇳 IndiaKuchipudi
A classical dance-drama from Andhra Pradesh, rooted in Hindu temple traditionClassical dance · Group · Solo
🇮🇳 IndiaMohiniyattam
A solo classical dance from Kerala, marked by gentle, swaying movementsClassical dance · Solo
🇮🇳 IndiaKoodiyattamകൂടിയാട്ടം
A Sanskrit theatre tradition performed in Kerala's temple theatresClassical dance · Group · Solo
🇫🇷 FranceBourrée
A lively French dance in double or triple time, once found in both villages and courtsFolk dance · Couple · Circle
🇮🇳 India and 1 moreManipuri danceJagoi Raas, Raas Jagoi
A classical dance-drama from Manipur, telling stories of Krishna and RadhaClassical dance · Group · Solo
🇮🇳 IndiaYakshaganaಯಕ್ಷಗಾನ
A coastal Karnataka dance-drama performed from dusk to dawn with elaborate costumes and live music.Classical dance · Group
🇮🇳 IndiaTandava
A vigorous dance of Shiva, seen in Indian classical and ritual traditionsClassical dance · Solo · Group
🇮🇹 Italy and 3 moreClassical ballet
A formal stage dance using turnout, pointe work and precise, flowing movementClassical dance · Solo · Group
🇮🇳 IndiaSattriya
A classical dance-drama from Assam, rooted in Vaishnava monastery traditionClassical dance · Solo · Group
🇯🇵 JapanNihon-buyō日本舞踊
A classical Japanese stage dance refined from kabuki and older traditions.Classical dance · Solo · Group
🇷🇺 RussiaContemporary ballet
A ballet form blending classical technique with modern dance movementClassical dance · Solo · Group
InternationalRomantic ballet
Ballet shaped by Romantic ideals, known for ethereal ballerinas and flowing tutusClassical dance · Solo · Group
🇮🇳 IndiaKrishnanattam
A temple dance-drama telling Krishna’s story in eight plays at Guruvayur, KeralaDance-drama · Group
🇷🇺 Russia and 1 moreNeoclassical ballet
A 20th-century ballet style with classical technique and a stripped-down lookClassical dance · Group · Solo
🇮🇳 IndiaPung Cholomꯄꯨꯡ ꯆꯣꯂꯣꯝ
A Manipuri dance where performers drum and dance with acrobatic graceClassical dance · Solo · Group
🇲🇲 MyanmarBurmese dance
Energetic and angular dances from Myanmar, shaped by history and mythClassical dance · Solo · Couple
🇯🇵 JapanNoh能
A masked dance-drama of Japan, performed since the fourteenth century.Classical dance · Group
🇮🇳 IndiaGaudiya Nrityaগৌড়ীয় নৃত্য
A classical dance of Bengal expressing Hindu devotional themes through song and movement.Classical dance
🇮🇩 IndonesiaWayang wongꦮꦪꦁꦮꦺꦴꦁ (wayang wong)
A Javanese and Balinese dance drama enacting the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics with stylised court movements.Classical dance · Group
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Bharatanatyam: Arian Zwegers, CC BY 2.0, source
- Bourrée: Pierre André Leclercq, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Kathakali: Paul Varuni, CC BY 2.0, source
- Burmese dance: Scott O'Connor, Public domain, source
- Krishnanattam: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, CC BY 2.0, source
- Gaudiya Nritya: Dr. Mahua Mukherjee, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Yakshagana: Krishnamoorthy Sudhakar, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Tandava: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Thai dance: Berlin Phonogramm-Archiv, Public domain, source
- Wayang wong: Gunawan Kartapranata, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Manipuri dance: https://www.flickr.com/photos/matsukin/, CC BY 2.0, source
- Kuchipudi: Augustus Binu / facebook, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Mohiniyattam: Shagil Kannur, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Odissi: Melolagnia28192, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Koodiyattam: Sreekanthv at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Sattriya: User: Sattriyadance, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Ballet: scillystuff, CC BY 2.0, source
- Contemporary ballet: Lambtron, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Neoclassical ballet: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Classical ballet: Edgar Degas, Public domain, source
- Romantic ballet: Alfred Edward Chalon (1780-1860), Public domain, source
- Pung Cholom: https://www.flickr.com/photos/matsukin/, CC BY 2.0, source
- Kathak: Shinjinikulkarni, CC BY 4.0, source
- Nihon-buyō: Rdsmith4, CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- Kabuki: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Noh: Yoshiyuki Ito, CC BY-SA 3.0, source