"Dance till the stars come down from the rafters Dance, Dance, Dance till you drop."---- Dance has always been an important part of Indian culture. This is reflected in the arena of filmmaking too. Both music and dance is an indispensable part of Indian cinema. However, the style has definitely evolved over the years. The roots of songs and dances in films can be traced back to `harikathas` that were so popular in ancient India. `Harikathas` and `Naatakas` are based on mythological subjects where the lead actors sing and dance to enact a popular myth from well known classical texts. In popular culture Ramlila is one such event where music and dance play an important part.

Dances were also seen as a form of entertainment and they often took place during religious festivals or other celebrations. Hence when films were being made they were included as a dose of entertainment, which would make the films more interesting. Indian cinema presents dance as a communication between body and soul. All kinds of emotions, elation, dejection, disappointment, wrath, love, devotion, suffering, envy and a host of other emotions can be expressed through dance. Thus the importance of dance in Indian cinema is immense.

Initially the classical form of dancing, such as, Bharatnatyam and other forms were followed by the popular cinema. At that time the films, primarily, had mythological themes. Hence the style of choreography in Indian cinema was purely classical. A remarkable example of this classical dance style is Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje which has immortalized the classical dancing in Indian cinema. It has been a source of inspiration all through. The choreographies of Sohanlal-Hiralal and Gopi Krishen in Hindi movies are remembered and revered till date. The latter was the choreographer for Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje.

From the early 1970s a new trend came into being in the field of choreography in Indian cinema. Dances were more semi classical than classical. Choreography in films, like, Kaadal Oviyam, Salangai Oli and Mythili Ennai Kaadali are perfect examples of these kinds of dances. In Hindi Amrapali set the standards for the costume that were to be used by the actresses. A lot of money was spent to picturize these songs. Heroines, such as, Vyjyantimala, Hema Malini, Waheeda Rehman, Padmini and others were outstanding classical danseuses. Another actor who had a huge impact on the usage of classical dance in Indian cinema is Kamal Hassan.

During late 1980s and 1990s onwards there was a definite shift in the style of choreography in Indian films. Films then were consciously breaking away from the traditional Indian form and the influence of the West was apparent. Dance forms, such as, break dancing and hip hop came into vogue. One of the pioneers of this style of dancing was Mithun Chakraborty. His films, Disco Dancer (1983) and Dance Dance took the nation by storm.

However, it was Saroj Khan, in the 1990s, who changed the entire form of choreography. She brought back the classical style alongside fusion dance. She was an indispensable part of the films, which starred Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi. Till date she has choreographed more than 200 Hindi films. Some of the popular films where she was the dance director are Chandni, Beta, Chaalbaaz, Tezaab, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Saathiya, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Guru, Bride and Prejudice, Jab We Met and several others.

Another person who brought in a major change in choreography in Indian cinema is Farah Khan. Farah brought a fresh look to her choreography and the audience loved it. Such a matchless style can be observed in Shaimak Davar also. He is probably the biggest name if one is talking about fusion dance. Taal, Dil to Paagal Hain, Dhoom2, Bunty Aur Babli and others are some of the films, which he has choreographed. The dancer himself specializes in jazz and runs his own institute. It was for Dil to Paagal Hain that he received the national award for choreography. His originality, unique style, creativity and superb talent changed the way dances were in Indian films.

Another splendid choreographer in this respect is Prabhudeva from South India. He too is the recipient of national award in the year 1997 for the Tamil film, Minsaara Kanavu. Other choreographers in the Indian film industry include Raj Sundaram, Lawrence Raghavendra, Ganesh Hegde, Vaibhavi Merchant, Kala and others.

Whether it is classical dance or film dancing the place of `bhava` (expression) is a crucial one in Indian film industry.