Music and dance have always been considered to be two of the finest forms of expression, combining artistry and refinement in a way which can be rarely portrayed by any other form of art. Knowing the importance of the arts, it is hardly surprising that a culture which has a history and heritage as rich as Karnataka will also be one of the richest store houses of the arts. Thus, the various performing arts of Karnataka are by themselves one of the greatest tourist attractions of Karnataka and a definite must-see while on a tour to Karnataka.
Carnatic Music: Carnatic music one of the most popular forms of music practiced in Karnataka is almost elevated to a form of worship in the state, where almost each family has a member who professes excellence in the art. Dating back to the Golden Age of Karnataka, Carnatic Music had its origin under the patronage of the rulers of the Vijayanagar Empire and the Wodeyars.
A number of personalities have graced the world of the performing arts in Karnataka as exponents of Carnatic Music like Gangubai Hangal, Bhimsen Joshi, Mallikarjuna Mansur, Kumar Gandharwa, Basavaraj Rajguru and Puttaraj Gavai.
Dances of Karnataka: The performing arts of Karnataka also include certain forms of the dances of Karnataka, which range from classical forms like Bharatanatyam as well as several varieties of folk dances such as Krishna Parijatha, Bhootha Aradhane as well as Nagamandala. Karnataka is also a rich store house of several forms of dance dramas, such as the Yakshagana, which literally means celestial music, which is generally performed all through the night.
