Dance, as a corporal movement, is the collage of the constantly moving image within a prescribed space, be it a stage or an open arena. In classical dances, body movement and gestures tend to be rigidly structured. This is not the case in either folk dances or tribal dances, which instead, enjoy enormous freedom and possibilities of innovation.

India, as a country rich in diverse cultural and folk arts, boasts a wide variety of dance forms from Odissi to Dhap/Chhau. As with other aspects of Indian culture, different forms of dance originated in different parts of India, were developed according to local traditions and thereafter, imbibed elements from other parts of the country. The dances are generally classified as classical, folk or tribal dances. In particular, traditional dance has long been a sacred expression of faith in the country, and thus, a cultural tour to the state/country is incomplete without experiencing its famous dance forms.