Famous Classical Dancers - List of Famous Classical Dancers

Any classical dance form, be it western, middle-eastern or Indian, is characterized mostly by conventional steps, elaborate formal gestures, steps, poses, movement precision and above all, a codified structure. In the western world, ballet and flamenco would be considered western classical dance forms, that provide the basic foundational training to any budding dancer who would want to improve his/her body strength, stamina, fine lines, movements, posture, hand and foot work. In the Middle East, classical ‘Raks Sharqi’ or middle-eastern, ‘oriental’ forms are believed to have been secret exercises or movements passed down from mothers to daughters through the ages. Classical dances could also refer to Indian classical styles of dance which are Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam; all set to a codified set of theories, known as the ‘Natya Shastra’. All around the world, there has been a propagation of various classical styles of dance with a growing need to understand and relate to specific cultures and also to be able to incorporate the art of specific, classical stagecraft into one’s everyday routine. Famous classical dancers and choreographers are Maurice Bejart, Alicia Alonso, Sir Anton Dolin, Natalia Makarova, Peter Martins, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Rukmini Devi Arundale, Uday Shankar, Sujata Mohapatra, Aziza, Samia Gamal and Naima Akef. If you would like to learn more on classical dancers and choreographers, then go through the list and explore details about them in their biographies, which include trivia, interesting facts, timeline and life history.

The Most Famous Classical Dancers

NameBirthdayNationalityBio
Vani GanapathyIndianVani Ganapathy is an Indian practitioner of the dance form Bharatanatyam
Birju MaharajFebruary 4, 1938IndianIndian dancer Birju Maharaj is a master of the Kalka-Bindadin gharana of Kathak dance
Rukmini Devi ArundaleFebruary 29, 1904IndianRukmini Devi Arundale was an Indian classical dancer and theosophist
Mallika SarabhaiMay 9, 1954IndianMallika Sarabhai is a famous Indian classical dancer and activist
Sonal MansinghApril 30, 1944IndianSonal Mansingh is an eminent Indian classical dancer and choreographer, renowned for her Odissi dancing style
Mrinalini SarabhaiMay 11, 1918IndianMrinalini Sarabhai was an Indian classical dancer and choreographer
Birju Maharaj

Birju Maharaj

Indian dancer Birju Maharaj is a master of the Kalka-Bindadin gharana of Kathak dance

IndianFebruary 4, 1938176 views

Rukmini Devi Arundale

Rukmini Devi Arundale was an Indian classical dancer and theosophist

IndianFebruary 29, 1904151 views

Mallika Sarabhai

Mallika Sarabhai is a famous Indian classical dancer and activist

IndianMay 9, 1954131 views

Sonal Mansingh

Sonal Mansingh is an eminent Indian classical dancer and choreographer, renowned for her Odissi dancing style

IndianApril 30, 1944127 views

Mrinalini Sarabhai

Mrinalini Sarabhai was an Indian classical dancer and choreographer

IndianMay 11, 1918115 views

Vani Ganapathy

Vani Ganapathy is an Indian practitioner of the dance form Bharatanatyam

Indian335 views