Manipuri, which began in Manipur, uses graceful turning and swaying in its dances. Faces made up to look like masks, along with the use of mime are the characteristics of kathakali dance. This is the style that comes to mind when Indian dance is mentioned. It has graceful hand gestures, exacting movements and facial expressions, each one having its own meaning. One of the dramas that survived was Sakuntala , by Kalidasa, which is about courtesans, kings and the court.
Theater is popular in Calcutta, but is struggling since the arrival of television and movies.
More films come out of India than any other country and written with a formula that is expanded on with music and dancing. The themes fluctuate from social to historical and religious and the plots are rarely realistic. There are also Indian imitations of Western films. AsianInfo.org - All Rights Reserved.