Art & Music

India celebrates a rich cultural heritage that is reflected in its age old cultural and artistic traditions. India is a treasure trove of both visual and performing arts that have originated, developed and flourished in the palaces and temples of India over the centuries to mesmerize connoisseurs all over the world.

The art forms in Southern India are largely of Dravidian origin, whereas the North Indian art forms have largely been imbibed initially from the Aryans and later the Afghan and Muslim invaders, mostly the Mughals. However, both in all parts of India, artistry flourished under the patronage of either the Lord Almighty or the monarch. It is either Religion or the royalty that have acted as inspiration, leading artists to create one wonder after another.

The rich tradition of the classical dance forms of South India- Bharat Natyam, Kathakali, Kuchupudi and Odissi, and Carnatic musis, all have their origins in the temple art practiced in Dravidian India. Music and dance was performed before the gods and goddess in the temples, as an offering. Carnatic music that originated in Karnataka is the origin of much of the vocal and instrumental music that we see now in South India. Manipuri, another classical dance form, has its origin in the state of Manipur and is also essentially devotional in nature, depicting the life of Lord Krishna.