Photographer Raj Laxmi Singh is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this photo essay.  From the project ‘Capture the Beautiful Movement of Dancers ’.

Dance is the form of vibration of our body and mind. It is a form of worship through which a dancer can reach the Almighty. It is a form of Yoga. A dancer can only reach this stage through continuous training i.e. ‘Sadhana’.

I have captured Indian classical dance during a live performance and in a studio shoot. Each has the special flavor that lends itself to the aura of the performed art, and the quality of which I try to capture in my camera. The performing arts are most temporal – the moment you perform it dies. So I capture the artist’s expression, feeling and emotion in my camera. I think all photographs are the universal language that everyone easily understands. Since each picture has its own narrative and story.

An Introduction to India’s Classical Dance Forms

Kathak: The origin of Kathak is traditionally attributed to the traveling bards of ancient northern India known as Kathakars or storytellers. Kathak dancers tell various stories through their hand movements and extensive footwork, but most importantly through their facial expressions. Kathak evolved during the Bhakti movement, particularly by incorporating the childhood and stories of the Hindu god Krishna, as well as independently in the courts of north Indian kingdoms. Kathak is unique in having both Hindu and Muslim gharanas and cultural elements. Kathak is found in three distinct forms, called “gharanas”, named after the cities where the Kathak dance tradition evolved – Jaipur, Banaras and Lucknow. […]

Read more: Indian Classical Dance