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Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, and Sattriya, are the eight classical dance forms of India.

These are considered classical by virtue of their antiquity, but also by virtue of the fact that they draw their inspiration from a common body of texts on performing arts. Perhaps the oldest of these texts is Bharata Muni's Natyashashtra, dating back to between the 2nd century BCE and 2nd century CE. One other canonical text is Nandikeshwara's Abhinayadarpanam. Estimates for Abhinayadarpanam's dates are less certain and range from the 4th century BCE to 4th century CE.