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Indian classical dances, rooted in deep traditions, came virtually into their own after the nation's Independence. The process, begun in the 1930's, gathered momentum soon and received ample revitalization within next half a century and count today Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Manipuri, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi and Sattriya among eight recognized genres, with Vilasininatyam and Chhau rapidly claiming shares of recognition. Structure and spirit of these exciting dance-styles-as handed down by the gurus depend on their avowed practitioners whose collective corpus of work is seen here through an analytical eye, in dialogue with the dancers: so as not to miss their own creative viewpoints. To each critical survey's body- and-soul has been added the dancers' own voice, by including overviews by some prominent professionals of each genre.

This is an unusual stance, steering clear of high scholarship and capturing, instead, the aura and aroma of practice alongside personality. All in all, the book - lavishly illustrated tries to faithfully mirror the exciting times that Indian dance lives in today.

Dr Utpal K. Banerjee has been an adviser on Management and Information Technology for thirty-five years, after having studied on a doctoral Programme in the UK as a Commonwealth Scholar from 1968-72. His formal exposure to visual and performing arts of the world was through courses conducted at Extra-Mural Department. University of Manchester, UK. He has been National Project Director for Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) relating to the UNDP project on Multimedia Database for Art and Culture Documentation and Computerization from 1990-92.

In the nineties. He was utilized by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to lecture on Indian Art and Culture in Canada in 1990 and in South America in 1998. He gave similar lectures for the IFS probationers and in the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) to the Afro-Asian diplomats. His comprehensive book on Indian Performing Arts has gone into several editions. His contribution on "Ruled by the Religion" has been included in the magnum opus Spectacular India, published from the USA in 2000.