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'''Dance''' (from [[French language|French]] ''danser'', perhaps from [[Old Frankish language|Frankish]]) generally refers to [[Motion (physics)|movement]] of the body, usually rhythmic and to music [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9110116/] used as a form of [[Emotional expression|expression]], [[social]] [[social interaction|interaction]] or presented in a [[spirituality|spiritual]] or [[performance]] setting.

'''Dance''' (from [[French language|French]] ''danser'', perhaps from [[Old Frankish language|Frankish]]) generally refers to [[Motion (physics)|movement]] of the body, usually rhythmic and to music [https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9110116/] used as a form of [[Emotional expression|expression]], [[social]] [[social interaction|interaction]] or presented in a [[spirituality|spiritual]] or [[performance]] setting.

''Dance'' is also used to describe methods of [[non-verbal communication]] (see [[body language]]) between humans or [[animal]]s ([[Bee learning and communication#Dance language|bee dance]], [[Fixed action pattern|patterns of behaviour]] such as a mating dance), [[Motion (physics)|motion]] in inanimate objects (''the [[leaves]] danced in the [[wind]]''), and certain [[dance (musical form)|musical form]]s or [[music|genre]]s.

''Dance'' is also used to describe methods of [[non-verbal communication]] (see [[body language]]) between humans or [[animal]]s ([[Bee learning and communication#Dance language|bee dance]], [[Fixed action pattern|patterns of behaviour]] such as a mating dance), [[Motion (physics)|motion]] in inanimate objects (''the [[leaves]] danced in the [[wind]]''), and certain [[dance (musical form)|musical form]]s or [[music|genre]]s.

Though the main theme of ''[[Natyashastra]]'' deals with drama, dance also finds mention. It elaborates various gestures of hands and classifies such gestures and movements as either graceful or vigorous, defining the ''lalita'' form of dance - ''lasya''; and the vigorous form '[[tandava]]'.

Though the main theme of ''[[Natyashastra]]'' deals with drama, dance also finds mention. It elaborates various gestures of hands and classifies such gestures and movements as either graceful or vigorous, defining the ''lalita'' form of dance - ''lasya''; and the vigorous form '[[tandava]]'.

Dance is classified under four categories and into four regional varieties. ''[[Natyashastra]]'' names these categories as secular, ritual, abstract, and, interpretive. Regional geography has altered since [[ancient India]]'s time and so have regional varieties of Indian dances. Dances like ''"Odra Magadhi"'', which after decades long debate, has been traced to present day Mithila-[[Orissa]] region's dance form of [[Odissi]], indicate influence of dances in cultural interactions between different regions.<ref>[http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/dance Dance: The Living Spirit of Indian Arts], by Prof. P. C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet.</ref>

Dance is classified under four categories and into four regional varieties. ''[[Natyashastra]]'' names these categories as secular, ritual, abstract, and, interpretive. Regional geography has altered since [[ancient India]]'s time and so have regional varieties of Indian dances. Dances like ''"Odra Magadhi"'', which after decades long debate, has been traced to present day Mithila-[[Orissa]] region's dance form of [[Odissi]], indicate influence of dances in cultural interactions between different regions.<ref>[https://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/dance Dance: The Living Spirit of Indian Arts], by Prof. P. C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet.</ref>

The roots of the present day [[Kathak]], [[Bharatanatyam]], [[Odissi]], [[Mohini Attam]] and [[Kuchipudi]] are found in ancient Indian civilization. Abstractness is now the feature of almost all classical Indian dance forms.

The roots of the present day [[Kathak]], [[Bharatanatyam]], [[Odissi]], [[Mohini Attam]] and [[Kuchipudi]] are found in ancient Indian civilization. Abstractness is now the feature of almost all classical Indian dance forms.

====Dances of Sri Lanka====

====Dances of Sri Lanka====

The devil dances of Sri Lank] or "yakun natima" are a carefully crafted ritual with a history reaching far back into [[Sri Lanka]]'s pre-Buddhist past. It combines ancient "Ayurvedic" concepts of disease causation with psychological manipulation. The dance combines many aspects including Sinhalese cosmolgy, the dances also has an impact on the [[classical dances of Sri Lanka]].<ref>[http://www.lankalibrary.com/rit/yakun%20natuma.htm "The yakun natima - devil dance ritual of Sri Lanka" at WWW Virtual Library - Sri Lanka]</ref>

The devil dances of Sri Lank] or "yakun natima" are a carefully crafted ritual with a history reaching far back into [[Sri Lanka]]'s pre-Buddhist past. It combines ancient "Ayurvedic" concepts of disease causation with psychological manipulation. The dance combines many aspects including Sinhalese cosmolgy, the dances also has an impact on the [[classical dances of Sri Lanka]].<ref>[https://www.lankalibrary.com/rit/yakun%20natuma.htm "The yakun natima - devil dance ritual of Sri Lanka" at WWW Virtual Library - Sri Lanka]</ref>

===In Europe and North America===

===In Europe and North America===

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/17289 Historic Illustrations of Dancing from 3300 B.C. to 1911 A.D.] from [[Project Gutenberg]]

*[https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/17289 Historic Illustrations of Dancing from 3300 B.C. to 1911 A.D.] from [[Project Gutenberg]]

*[http://www.dancemuseum.org/ United States National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame]

*[https://www.dancemuseum.org/ United States National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame]

[[Category:The Arts]]

[[Category: Dance]]