The four originally classical dances are the Bharat Natyam, Kathak, Kathakali, and Manipuri. In 1958, Kuchipudi and Odissi joined this hallowed category. All six of these forms have their roots in the Natyashastra and the Vedas. They follow the tradition of nrtta: pure dance, in other words, graceful, abstract movements that can be said to personify emotions. Nrtta co-exists with Nrittya. The latter refers to enactments of stories and concepts, through verse (sahitya), hand movements (hastas), and facial expressions (abhinaya). The mode is in two temperaments: tandava or the vigorous masculine movements representing the male principle symbolized by Lord Siva (example, Kathakali) and lasya or the feminine principle symbolized by the goddess Parvati, consort to Lord Shiva (example, Bharat Natyam and Manipuri). Kathak, however, encompasses both.

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