Dance is a performing art, and one that delves in expression, non-verbal communication and education at the same time. However, dance is not restricted to the performance of it alone, but also the learning of its history, the aesthetics of it, the heritage it upholds and represents, along with certain theories attached to every dance form. Dance has thus become a formal training subject, with dedicated Dance Colleges, concentrating on imparting an all round knowledge about dance and its performance. Dance is truly represented when entertainment is combined with education, and only then is its essence realized. 

The dance colleges of India not only train in the traditional and well known dance forms like Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipui, Odissi, Mohini-attam, Kathakali, etc, but also on popular dance forms, which include Dandiya, Garba, Bihu and many more. You can opt for a dance course at the Bachelor’s or Master’s level, or even enroll for a diploma or certificate course. It is one field, where education does not come to an end. You have to keep learning all life to be a perfectionist. Performing and learning go hand in hand. To pursue a bachelor’s degree in dance, the basic pre-requisite is 10+2. For a post-graduate degree, you should have a Bachelor’s degree in dance. 

Some of the recognized institutes imparting dance education are the Kathak Kendra in Delhi, Kalakshetra in Chennai, Bharatiya Kala Kendra in Delhi, Kala Sadhanalaya, Kala Sampurna, Lasya Academy of Mohiniyattam, Natya Dance Theatre, Mamata Shankar Ballet Troupe and Kalabhavan Talent Residential School. The formal training colleges that are renowned for their dance course, is as follows. 

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

The Faculty of Performing Arts- Department of Dance, was established in 1978. The undergraduate course started in 1999, and post graduate course in 2007. admission is dependent on the University Entrance Test (U.E.T/P.E.T). It offers Bachelor’s in dance (B. Mus) in Bharatanatyam and Kathak; Master’s in Kathak and Bharatnatyam (M. Mus.). You can also enroll for a diploma course – Junior Diploma in Kathak & Bharat Natyam. BHU also has PhD course in dance.  

Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata

Founded in 1962, the University offers Bachelor’s (BA), Master’s (MA), and PhD in Dance. For master’s, you need a UG degree. 

University of Calicut, Kozhikode

Offered course in dance is B.A in Fine Arts (Bharatanatyam and Kathakali). 

University of Mumbai, Mumbai

The department of dance of the Mumbai University offers the BFA (Dance) and MFA (Dance) in Bharatanatyam, Mohini-attam, and Kathakali. Admission and examinations are according to the norms of the university. 

Visva Bharati University, Shantiniketan

It is the brain child of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who himself was passionate about education, poetry, literature, and fine arts. The institute offers Bachelor’s degree (B. Mus) in Kathakali and Manipuri. The eligibility criteria is a pass in XII with minimum 45%. And Master’s degree (M. Mus) in Kathakali and Manipuri, to those who have a B. Mus degree. 

Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune

Set up in 1921, the institute offers BA in Indian classical dance and Diploma course in Indian classical dance. 

The other options of Dance Colleges for students interested in taking up dance as a profession, are University of Madras, Gujarat University, Banasthali Vidyapeeth in Rajasthan, Temple of Fine Arts International in Chennai, Annamalai University, Indira Kala Sangit Vishwavidyalaya, University of Hyderabad, Bharathiar University, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady, Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, Ahmedabad, and Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal in Orissa.