Classification of Indian Classical Dance Images using Convolution Neural Network

Indian classical dance is the combination of gesture of all the body parts. It has varied forms and is generally a combination of single hand mudra, double hand mudra, leg alignment, hip movement, eye movement, facial expression, and leg posture. Each dance form has unique gesture, using which, they can be classified. The costumes worn by dancers are also unique. This work proposes the identification and classification of Indian Classical Dance images using Deep Learning Convolution Neural Network (CNN). This work uses the dataset consisting of five dance classes namely Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Kathakali, Yakshagana, the images of which are collected from the internet using Google Crawler. This system can be used for automated dance quizzes and can be used by anyone to find out how well he/she is familiar with the variety of dance forms in India given its varied postures and styles.

I. Introduction

INDIA is the land of ancient art and is one among the very few culturally rich countries in the world with diverse culture. The language, dance, music, architecture, festivals in the country differ from state to state. Dance is existing in India from ancient times and has been originated from different parts of India. There are 11 classical dance forms in India, Bharatanatyam and Bhagavatha Mela from Tamil Nadu, Kathakali from Kerala, Manipuri from Manipur, Kathak from Uttar Pradesh, Kuchipudi from Andra Pradesh, Odissi from Odisha, Mohiniyattam from Kerala, Sattriya from Assam, Yakshagana from Karnataka and Chhau from Eastern India. All these Indian classical dances mainly describe about inner beauty and divine in man, and not just about the entertainment. Each of the Indian classical dance forms is unique in terms of style and costumes. Some dance forms, like Bharatanatyam and Odissi may look similar in case of hand mudras, but it differs in hip movement and costume worn by the dancers. Yakshagana and Kathakali look similar to the person who is not aware of art, but here too facial expression and costumes differ. Guru/Shisya system was there in India from ancient times to learn the classical dance. In the present days too, people can learn the dance from the teacher.