20 Different Types of Dance Styles With Images | Styles At Life

Dance is one art which everyone appreciates. There are numerous dance forms which one can learn. The dance forms differ from one country to another, one state to another and even from one religion to another. Dance is the best way to heal your sadness and sometimes even becomes the best friend of a person. Dance forms are even distinguished based on the clothes, shoes and music.

Types of Dances in the World With Pictures and Names:

Check out the list given below which will help you to know top 20 different types of dances forms prevalent in India as well as the world. This dance styles name list will help you choose your favourite.

1. Ballet:

Ballet is referred to as the backbone of different types dance forms. It is an interesting form of dance. The person performing ballet looks very elegant at all postures. The techniques to do ballet where developed many years ago. To become a perfect ballet dancer you must be highly disciplined and trained and must have qualities of dedication and hard work. Proper dedication is required to glide effortlessly across the stage. One thing that all ballet dancers have in common is the love for beauty, grace and disciple. This type of dance style can be learnt by both man and woman.

2. Bharatnatyam:

Bharatnatyam is an Indian classical dance form having its origin in India. This dance form was first seen in the temples of Tamil Nadu, one of the states of India. It is a dance form practiced by both males and females. It is known among all for its tenderness of graceful expressions and posses and beauty of the dance steps. Dancers wear anklets while performing which consists of numerous copper bells attached. Dancers must excel in the art of perfect ringing of bells in the anklets and must also have proper control over it. Bharatnatyam is one of the well-known types of dance in India.

3. Kathak:

In types of Indian dance, Kathak is one which originated in the north Indian land. Among the many dance name list, Kathak is one beautiful form of art. Nomadic bards of ancient Northern India are known to lay down the foundation of this dance form. They were known as storyteller or Kathakars. The performers usually wear the famous Lehenga Choli costume while dancing. Even the copper bells used in Bharatnatyam are used in this dance form.

4. Break Dance:

Break dance also known as a street dance was originated by Puerto Rican Youths and African Americans. This dance form consists of four major movements – power moves, downrock, toprock and freezes. This is a modern kind of dance that involves abstract body steps, that may or may not convey anything. It is usually practiced by the youth.

5. Lion Dance:

The lion dance is the traditional dance form of Chinese culture. In this form of dance, the performers wear lion costumes and mimic the moves and styles of a lion. This type of dance is amazing to look at and is completely different from another dance form because you usually cannot see the person behind the costume in this form.

6. Tap Dance:

In this dance form, one needs to tap the shoes on the wooden floor. The shoes are made up of a metallic sole on the heel and the toe facilitating the tapping sound. The two well-known tap dance types are Broadway tap and Rhythmic tap. Tap dancing is also done in Cappella style in which performers need to perform on music created from tapping.

See More: Types Of Dancing Shoes

7. Kabuki:

The classical Japanese dance drama is known as kabuki. This is known for its stylization of performance and the elaborate and highly complicated make up worn by the performers. Kabuki involves a lot of practice and handling the costume along with the dance steps needs experience. It was one of the major theatrical performance in Japan for about four centuries.

8. Salsa:

It will come in another types of western dance which almost everyone knows and is performed all around the world. Salsa was originated in New York due to the strong influences from Latin America. Arms are used by the lead dancers to communicate with the followers. In these types of dances, the major expressive movements are done by the lower part of the body that is the hips, the body and legs.

The upper body remains at its level. Salsa can be performed in different styles which can be identified on the basis of foot patterns, turns and figures, on the basis of timing, body rolls, dance influence, attitude and the way the partners hold each other while dancing.

9. Waltz:

The ballroom couple dance performed in closed positions is known as Waltz. This dance form had originated in the country of England during 1816. Several Victorian novels have the mentioning and a perfect description of this dance form. While dancing, the man is required to clasp his arms around his female partner’s waist. This type of modern dance requires performers to execute delicate and fluid moves and dance to slow melodic music.

10. Belly Dancing:

One of the unique forms of dance is belly dancing and it comes under types of modern dance. It is characterized by sharp and rolling movements of the abdomen and the hips. This dance form has different types of dance moves depending upon the region and country it is being performed. Movements of hips and the torso communicate the maximum. Shakira, famous Latin American superstar was the one to popularize this form during the 2000s.

See More: Zumba Dance For Weight Loss

11. Swing:

Swing, as the name sounds is very interesting dance form. It is a group of dances developed with a swing style danced to the tunes of jazz music during the 1920s – 1950s. Swing is a blanket word to different dances such as Jitterbugs, Boogie Woogie and Lindy hops. This type of dance form is fun and the performers wear stylish dresses, yet very comfortable.

12. Aerial Dance:

Aerial dance is slowly becoming very famous these days. This dance form is not easy to perform and requires a proper training. It was first performed in the USA during the 1970s. The name clearly indicates that in this form the performer is required to perform in the air. The dancer hangs from any apparatus which is attached to the ceiling and performs steps in the mid-air. It provides a lot of space to develop a new idea and dance moves.

13. Tango:

It is a partner dance originated along the river Plate during the 1890s the partners in tango follow each other chest to chest with either an open embrace or a closed embrace with a constant touch from the thigh area. Tango is a kind of ballroom dance and began in the working class port in Uruguay, Argentina and Rio de la Plata.

14. Fandango:

Fandango is the primary dance of Portugal. It involves singing as well as dancing. Dancers tap their feet and quickly keep on changing positions. This dance form is accompanied by castanets, guitars and even sometimes hand clapping.

15. Cancan:

Cancan is a very high energy and physically demanding hall dance. It is usually performed by women in a chorus wearing beautiful costumes which are long skirts with black stockings. The main feature of this form is lifting of the long frilly skirt high accompanied by high kicking.

16. Latin Dance:

Latin dance involves two partners and resembles a ballroom dance. It originated in Latin America. The social Latin dance in International dance includes the rumba, samba etc. The history of Latin dance dates back to the fifteenth century when indigenous dances were first recorded by Europeans. Their dance form is deeply rooted in history and is a must watch entertainer.

17. Iranian Dance:

Persian dance or is also known as Iranian dance refers to the type of dance form, indigenous to Iran. Genres of dance in Iran usually vary depending on the area, culture, and language of the local people. They also range from sophisticated reconstructions of refined court dances to energetic folk dances. The dance style is rhythmic and pleasing to watch.

18. Azerbaijani Dance:

There are a number of Azerbaijani dances that are practiced and used by the Azerbaijani people of Azerbaijan and the Irani’s of Azerbaijan. Their dance is engaging and they differ from other dances and is famous for its quick temp. They are entertaining to watch and is a national interest.

19. Disco Dance:

Disco dance is a type of dance style that is musical style dating to early 1970s. It began from USA urban night-life scene, where it had been restricted to house parties. From there on, it began making regular mainstream appearances and gathered popularity. Its popularity was achieved sometime during the mid-1970s to the early 1980s.

20. Folk Dance:

Folk dance is a typical form of dance that is usually extensively performed in the rural areas. It talks of the folklore or the village plight. It is a traditional type of dance pertaining to one set of people or community. The costumes are interesting and usually depict the traditional dress of the community.

See More: List Of Dance Exercises

Dance as a medium of expression has gained popularity increasingly. The many traditional dance forms are usually a representation of their plight and are centred around popular themes of the time. The costumes involved, the steps of the dance, are all important aspects in conveying and imparting a message to the audience. The list of dances is an art in itself, yet an important means of communication.

Images Source: 9.