Well-known Classic Music : Carnatic Music.

Classical Dances : Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi and Kathakali.

Folk Trance : Kunitha, Devare Thatte Kunitha, Yellammana Kunitha, Suggi Kunitha.

Famous Dance Drama : Yakshagana, Togalu Bombeaata.

Karnataka dance and music features a wide range of folk and classical forms. Dance and the form of Karnataka are not only the ways of entertainment but they also have the devout betterment of the recitalist and the beholders. The music and the dance have influenced each and every corner of the northern and the southern part of India. The presence of music and dance has enriched Karnataka’s dance and music of the world.

Classical music that belongs to Karnataka is the chief part of the Culture Of Karnataka. Since ancient time, Karnataka has huge contribution in developing music its structure and the form. It has gifted the world many of the beautiful poets and the performers. The most important played musical instruments are the mridangam and violin. Karnataka has been a most important part of the World that enriches the art and the music and gave it noteworthy contribution to enhance it further. Kuchipudi is one of the original forms of dance that belongs to Karnataka. The other main dances include Bharatnatyam which plays the important part that augment the tradition of music and the dance of Karnataka.

A performance that belongs to the folk has played a major role in the dance and music of Karnataka. It has the amazing blend of dance, soothing music and the artistic theatrical performances. These are those beautiful performances that have a ritualistic mode of life.

Dance of Karnataka’s :

The ritualistic dance form of Karnataka is called as Kunitha. The other such form of dance is known as Dollu Kunitha. It is one of the most popular dance forms that belongs to Karnataka associated with the beautiful beats of the drums and the soothing voice of the singer. These performances are given by men those who belong to the shepherd community which is called as Kuruba Community. The Dollu Kunitha is filled with  vigorous beats of the drum, very fast movements and group formations. Another dance form is known as Puja Kunitha. This dance form includes the wooden structure and they carry it on their head or in their hand. Pata Kunthi, Kamsale and the Govara Kunitha are few dance form that belongs to the ritualistic dance.

Classical Dances :

The most well known dance form of India is the Bharatnayam dance in the form of  Mysore which is a very ancient form of dance amongst all the classical form. This form of dance is performed in Karnataka. The other streams of classical dance have the involvement of Kuchipudi and the Kathak.

Folk Dances of the Karnataka :

Krishna Parijatha :

Krishna Parijatha is a well known folk theatre that is being performed in the northern region of Karnataka. This form is the amalgamation of Byalatta and the yakshagana, depicting the incidents and the stories of the great epic Mahabharata.

Bhoota Aradhane :

The Bhoota Aradhane is the major dance form which has a wide spread in the region of the coastal areas of Karnataka. The Bhoota Aradhane or the worshipping of the devil has the processions of statue portraying Bhootas. The rituals are characterized by the bursting of fire crackers and the beating of drums. During the completion of the rituals and the other processions, these idols are placed on the plinth. After this, there is a dancer who performs the dance of the devils surrounding the plinth that is accompanied by the jingle bells and the swords. The performer who is performing this dance form performs the dance in a very vigorous manner and then he slowly comes down in his original form which signifies that for the time being he is a divine person.

Nagamandala :

Nagamandala is one of the ritualistic dance forms which are performed in the south of Karnataka. It is performed with the basic reason to sedate the spirit of the serpent. This is an extravagant effect that is performed in the entire night. The dancers are known as the Vaidyas and they are typically dressed in the nagakannika. They perform for the entire night in front of the shrine. These dances are performed in the month of December and continue to the month of April.

Dance in the form of Drama :

Yakshagana :

Yakshagana is the most important drama in the form of a dance that is usually performed in the coastal areas of Karnataka. The form of dance is unique in its own way. It has the perfect blend of art that includes music, dance, scholarly dialogues and the costumes full of vibrant colors.

Celestial music is the meaning of the word Yakshagana. This dance is performed for the entire night generally in the later period of the winter when the crops has been reaped.