Being bestowed with highly rich heritage, Chennai is regarded as the cultural capital of India. People are great lovers of various performing art forms of Chennai which include dance, music and theatre. Chennai is home to many renowned classical dancers, musicians, singers and actors. If you want to spend your evenings creatively, you can choose from Music or Dance recitals or theatre.

Chennai is best known for its classical dances, especially Bharatnatyam. There are many kinds of folk and classical dances, performed in Chennai. Each dance form offers pure ecstasy. Most of the dances are devotional in nature and touches the spectator deeply. Most of the dance forms are preserved for centuries.

Famous dance forms of Chennai includes Bharatnatyam, Karagaattam, Mayilattam and Kavadiattam.

Bharatnatyam: Most famous and most known dance form in Chennai is Bharatnatyam. This is not just a dance for entertainment rather it is blend of some different essences. This dance form is regarded as the oldest classical dance form in India. Kalakshetra is the famous learning institute in Chennai which is very popular among the dance enthusiastic in Chennai and around.

Mayilattam: This is a folk dance which is performed during the festival of Pongal which is a major festival celebrated in Chennai. This dance symbolizes prosperity and is joyous in nature. This is girls only dance and they wear costumes like peacocks.

Karagaattam: This is also a folk dance form and it is accompanied by folk music. This dance is performed as an offering to goddess of rain, Mari Amman and the river Goddess, Gangai Amman. Several pots, filled with water, are placed over the head of the performer while dancing. Great amount of poise, control and skill are required for this dance. This dance is excellent example of traditional and contemporary values. This dance is often performed in theatres.

Music scene is also very rich in Chennai. Though Carnatic Music is among the most famous music forms of Chennai but you can also enjoy Western music performances, taking place at many venues in the city. Music Academy in Chennai organizes many music recitals, performed by renowned musicians, every Saturday evening.

When compared with dance and music, theatre is the most popular among denizens there. Tamil and English, both kind of theatre is liked there. Theatre is counted among the most famous performing art forms of Chennai. There are two kind of theatre, Sabha and Non-Sabha oriented theatre. More popular of two is Sabha oriented theatre.