India has eight primary classical dance forms recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi: Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathak (North India), Kathakali (Kerala), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), Manipuri (Manipur), Mohiniyattam (Kerala), Odissi (Odisha), and Sattriya (Assam). The Ministry of Culture also recognizes Chhau, making it nine forms in total, each with distinct origins, styles, and storytelling traditions rooted in ancient texts like the Natya Shastra.