This short film showcases three traditional dance performances. Dance plays a vital role in many of India’s diverse cultures, with particular significance in Hinduism. In classical forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi, each gesture (mudra), movement, and facial expression (abhinaya) carries symbolic meaning, often used to tell stories from Hindu epics or express devotion. Costumes and ornaments further enhance the narrative, making dance both a spiritual offering and a rich form of cultural expression.

Footage courtesy of RItu Shrivastava

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