Western Indian dancers have made significant contributions in the niche of Indian dances, be it in the field of Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi or the various others. Some of these skilled dance performers are exponents of traditional Indian dances, while some others specialize in the genre of contemporary Indian dances. Dancers like Uday Shankar, Kanak Rele, Mallika Sarabhai, Sunanda Nair and many others have received several civilian and international awards and recognition for their role in expanding different types of Indian dances.

Uday Shankar
A veteran Indian choreographer and dancer, Uday Shankar is renowned for bringing about a unique fusion of Western theatrical elements and traditional Indian classical dances. He emphasized on the importance of Indian folk dances, classical dances and tribal dances, thereby popularizing the rich heritage of the country across the globe, especially during his performances in Europe and the United States. He was honoured with Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship for lifetime achievement, the Padma Vibhushan and several others. He was born in Rajasthan.

Kanak Rele
Born in the state of Gujarat, Dr.Kanak Rele is a famous exponent of the Mohiniyattom dance form and has founded the Nalanda Dance Research Centre in Mumbai. She is also the principal and founder of the Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya, also in Mumbai. She has received prestigious awards like Gaurav Puraskar which was offered by the Government of Gujarat and Padma Shri by the Government of India, besides being awarded with the title `Kala Vipanchee` by Vipanchee which is an institute imparting lessons in Indian dances. Other awards include Kalidas Samman conferred by the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, M S Subbalakshmi Award and the Padma Bhushan award which was offered by the Government of India. She was born in Gujarat.

Medha Yodh
Medha Yodh is a Gujarati dancer, who belongs to the region of Ahmedabad and is an exponent of Indian classical dances. She is credited for composing a documentary on the dance form of `Garba` and she also imparts lessons in the field of Bharatnatyam dance form in America.

Mrinalini Sarabhai
Mrinalini Sarabhai is a noted Indian dancer who has imparted training to students in dance forms like Kathakali and Bharatnaytam. Born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, she is the founder and director of Darpana Academy of Performing Arts. She is a recipient of numerous awards like Padma Bhushan by the Government of India, Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship Award and the title of `Degree of Doctor of Letters` which was offered by the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom.

Mallika Sarabhai
The daughter of Mrinalini Sarabhai, Mallika Sarabhai is an Indian dancer of great repute and was born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. She is an experienced Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancer and has been offered several honours and awards like Padma Bhushan, Theatre Pasta Theatre Awards, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kala Shiromani Puraskar, Woman of the Year Award by the Indian Merchants` Chamber and many others.

Shakti Mohan
Shakti Mohan is a young dancer who hails from the state of Maharashtra and performs various types of contemporary dances. She has appeared in the songs in movies like `Tees Maar Khan` and `Rowdy Rathore` and has won an overwhelming amount of Rs. 50 lakhs as cash prize in the dance reality show `Dance India Dance`.

Sunanda Nair
Maharashtra boasts of another celebrated dancer who specializes in the dance form of Mohiniyattom and is the disciple of the reputed Mohiniyattom dancer Kanak Rele. She was born in Mumbai. She received innumerable accolades for popularizing the classical dance style of the state of Kerala. Her awards include Nelluvai Nambeeshan Smarak Award for her contribution in the arena of Mohiniyattom dance form, `Singer Mani` award from Sur Singad Sansad, Mumbai, Global Excellence Dance Award from New Orleans, Presidents Award for Community Service, yet again from New Orleans

Shashi Sankhla
Shashi Sankhla is a famous Kathak dancer who belongs to Jaipur, Rajasthan and has been offered awards like Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2008. She is the principal of Jaipur Kathak Kendra.

Sonal Mansingh
Sonal Mansingh was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra and is a distinguished Indian dancer who is proficient in `Odissi`, `Bharatnatyam`, `Chhau` and `Kuchipudi`. She has travelled to several places in order to perform these forms of dances and has also been honoured with awards. The Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Kalidas Samman which has been awarded by the Government of Madhya Pradesh, etc.

Numerable types of Indian dances like tribal or folk dances, Indian classical dances and others have been experimented with and skillfully developed by these talented dancers.