Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This narrative review is an attempt to understand the psychological advantages pertinent to Indian classical dance genres, including eight major classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, Kathakkali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Sattriya, and Mohiniyattam. Highlighting their prospective therapeutic applications in the field of mental health is the main aim of this article. Indian classical dance forms represent a comprehensive practice that harmonizes the mind, body, and spirit, facilitating emotional expression and fostering cultural connections. Classical dance styles like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Manipuri focus on telling stories through body language and facial expressions. This can help with stress relief, emotional regulation, and practicing mindfulness. Furthermore, Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) incorporates components such as abhinaya and mudras to address various psychological conditions, including anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorders. Empirical research findings highlight the efficacy of Indian dance in bolstering self-esteem, mitigating stress levels, and elevating both emotional and cognitive well-being. This review emphasizes the incorporation of Indian classical dance within therapeutic frameworks, advocating for its wider implementation to enhance mental health interventions.
Source: Mind and Society
Authors: Jay Singh, Neha Alghare, Basant Kumar Sonber, Ankita Deshmukh
Institutions: University of Allahabad, Hemchand Yadav Vishwavidyalaya
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4409779385