Music, dance and drama form what is known as the performing arts. Ancient wall paintings and stone sculptures indicate the importance given to the performing arts since the earliest times. In earlier times experts in the performing arts were given royal positions. However with the passage of time the patronage given to performing artists began to dwindle. They received little or no incentive and were left with no choice but to pursue the arts as a hobby. 

With the increasing popularity of radio and TV and with people enjoying greater amounts of leisure and income, the performing arts have become more popular resulting in many pursuing careers in this field.

MAJOR FORMS

Performing artists can be divided into three major categories namely: musicians, dancers and dramatists.

Music

SINGERS 

Sing alone or in a group with or without musical accompaniments.

INSTRUMENTAL PLAYER (ORCHESTRA) 

There are various instruments e.g. veena, sarod, tabla, sarangi, santoor, shehnai
etc., which are played by such artists. 

ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR 

Directs an orchestra, chorus or other music performances.

MUSIC COMPOSER/DIRECTOR 

Creates and writes songs and sets them to music.

Dance

CHOREOGRAPHER 

Designs and composes dance sequences. The choreographer coordinates the stage settings, music, costumes and supervises rehearsals.

DANCER 

Performs solo or in duet or in a group in a particular style e.g. Odissi, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali etc.

Drama

DIRECTOR 

The director selects suitable actors or actresses and other technical staff. He interprets the play and directs each role.

THE PRODUCER 

The producer selects the theme and is responsible for obtaining and arranging the finances and
budgeting of the various departments.

STORY WRITER 

Writes the original story or adapts one from a different source.

ACTORS AND ACTRESSES 

Their task is that of imitation or interpretation of the characters of the story so that the portrayal of the character played appears real.