Dance one of the oldest art forms of the world. Anthropologists believe that it started with the earliest human beings, developing as part of magical or religious ceremonies. Classical Dance in the South-Asian context refers to Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Odissi and Manipuri dances. These ancient Indian dances, representing particular styles, are associated with different regions. Thus, Kathak is associated with northern India, Bharatnatyam and Kathakali with southern India, and Odissi and Manipuri with eastern India. However, most dances are performed all over India and Bangladesh. Bengali artistes learned classical dancing from teachers coming from south India, Madhya Pradesh and Manipur. January 2009 Dhaka Bangladesh

Photo:Monirul Alam