CBSE Class 11 Dance Syllabus 2026-27

DANCE Subject Code: 056 to 061 Class XI (2026-27)

The objective of the theory and practical course in Indian Classical Dance, Indian Traditional Dance, Drama or Theatre forms is to acquaint the students with the literary and historical background of the Indian performing arts in general, arid dance drama form offered in particular. It is presumed that the students offering these subjects will have had preliminary training in the particular form, either within the school system or in informal education. The Central Board of Secondary Education being an All-India Organization has its schools all over the country. In order to meet the requirements of the schools, various forms or regional styles have been included in the syllabus. The schools may OFFER ANY ONE OF THE STYLES. Since the syllabi are closely linked with the culture, it is desirable that the teachers also make themselves familiar with the aspects of Indian Cultural History; classical and medieval period of its literature.

Any one style from the following may be offered by the students:

INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE

1. Kathak
2. Bharatnatyam
3. Kuchipudi
4. Odissi
5. Manipuri
6. Kathakali

(A)KATHAK DANCE (CODE NO. 056) CLASS-XI (2026-27)

Total Marks: 100

Marks:30

Theory Time: 2 Hours

1. A brief history of Indian dance.

1. Acquaintance with the themes of Ramayana, Mahabharataa, Bhagvata Purana and Gita Govinda in context of Kathak. Acquaintance with other myths and legends pertinent to the dance drama or gat bhaav like Kalia daman, Govardhan lila, Panghatlila, Draupadi cheer haran, Makhan chori, Marich vadh, Bhasmasur vadh, Madan dahan, etc.

1. A brief history of Kathak dance.

Reference from ancient text (vedic, puranic, epics and other scriptures). evolution of Kathak dance in Pracheen kal/Mandir kal (kathavachak and Rasdhar tradition, etc.) Madhya kal/ Darbarkal, Adhunik kal covering British and post independent era till the present time.

1. Acquaintance with its repertoire.

Rang pravesh / invocation, compositions (Bandish) from traditional technical dance part of kathak. Literary contents - abhinay, bhajans, thumri, dadra, ghazals, dhrupad, kavit, etc. Rhythmic musical composition like Tarana, Tirvat, Chaturang, etc.

1. Distinctive aspects of Kathak (using of ghungrus, chakkars, upaj, costume, etc.
2. Ability to write notation of teental and jhaptal (thah, dugun,chaugun).
3. Definition and short explanation: Nritta, Nritya, Natya, Tandava, Lasya, Anga, Upanga, Pratyanga.

CLASS-XI

Marks:70

Practical Paper

1. Practice of basic standing position and various patterns of Tatkar.
2. Practice of exercise of different parts of the human body particularly anga, pratyanga, upanga.
3. Practice of exercise of ten different movements {hastak} chakkars in teen taal in thah, dugun, chaudganlaya.
4. Prahant of teentaal, jhap taal with hast kriya in thah, dugun, chaugun.
5. Practice of tatkar set to teental in a slower tempo (thah laya) and in its double(dugun) and four times (chaugun).
6. The student should know the following compositions:
7. Thaat 1
8. Aamad 2
9. Fast Aamad (tez aamad) 2
10. Vandana
11. Tukra/Toda 4
12. Natwari ka tukra 4
13. Gatnikaas 3
14. Gatbhaav 1
15. Paran 4
16. Tihaayi 4
17. Ladi/laya Baant 2
18. Parhant of tukda /toda with hasta kriya 2

(B) BHARATANATYAM DANCE (CODE NO.057) CLASS-XI (2026-27)

Total Marks: 100

Marks:30

Theory

Time-2 Hours

1. A brief history of Indian Dance.

1. Acquaintance with the themes of RAMAYANA-names of all Kandas, (Sita swayamvaram, Rama vanagamanam, Surpanakha prasangam, Sita haranam, Choodamani pradanam). BHAGAVATA PURANA - names of all Skandas (Sadhana Skanda Dashavatar, Purushartha Skanda - Daksha, Dhruva, Sthiti Skanda - The story of Manu and the description of the world, Vasan Skanda - Prahlada and Nirodha Skanda - Birth and life of Krishna). GITA GOVINDA - (Samoda Damodaram - Lalita lavangalata, Haririha, Aklesha Keshava - Rase harim iha, Mugdha Madhusudana - hari hari hatadarataya Vilakshya Lakshmipatih- yahi madhava Chatura Chaturbhuja - priye charushile: Sanjeevani ashtapadi). Acquaintance with other myths and legends pertinent to the Dance form, The Cosmic dance of Siva and significance of Nataraja, The story of Mahishasura Mardini, The legend of Ganesha.

1. A history of Bharatanatyam: Mythological reference from the Natyotpatti in the Abhinaya Darpanam, evolution of the different schools of Bharatanatyam - Tanjavur, Pandanallur and Vazhuvur, contribution of the Tanjore quartet and the present repertoire structure of the dance form.
2. Acquaintance with its repertoire and literary contents: Definition of the musical terms used in dance Pushpanjali, Mallari, Kautuvam, Alaripu, Jatiswaram, Shabdam, Varnam, Keertanam, Padam, Ashtapadi, Javali and Thillana.
3. Distinctive aspects of Bharatanatyam: Costume and jewelry, Language and music style, Technical aspects of performance, Basic posture.