Folk

Dances in
India
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

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Folk Dances in India

The 2 major dance forms in India are classical and folk dance. The major difference
between Classical and Folk dance is the origin.

 Classical dance has a deep-rooted relationship with the Natya Shastra where the
specific features of each of the Classical dance forms have been mentioned.

 Folk dance, on the other hand, emerged from the local tradition of the respective
state, ethnic or geographic regions.

Indian States and Folk Dances

State Folk Dances

Kuchipudi, Vilasini Natyam, Andhra Natyam, Bhamakalpam,

Andhra Pradesh Veeranatyam, Dappu, Tappeta Gullu, Lambadi, Dhimsa,
Kolattam, Butta Bommalu.

Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga

Assam
dance, Khel Gopal, Tabal Chongli, Canoe, Jhumura Hobjanai

Bihar Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya, Sama Chakwa, Bidesia.

Gujarat Garba, Dandiya Ras, Tippani Juriun, Bhavai.

Haryana Jhumar, Phag, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khor, Gagor.

Himachal Pradesh Jhora, Jhali, Chharhi, Dhaman, Chhapeli, Mahasu, Nati, Dangi.

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State Folk Dances

Jammu and Kashmir Rauf, Hikat, Mandjas, Kud Dandi Nach, Damali.

Karnataka Yakshagan, Huttari, Suggi, Kunitha, Karga, Lambi.

Kerala Kathakali (Classical), Ottam Thulal, Mohiniyattam, Kaikottikali.

Maharashtra Lavani, Nakata, Koli, Lezim, Gafa, Dahikala Dasavtar or Bohada.

Odisha Odissi (Classical), Savari, Ghumara, Painka, Munari, Chhau.

West Bengal Kathi, Gambhira, Dhali, Jatra, Baul, Marasia, Mahal, Keertan.

Punjab Bhangra, Giddha, Daff, Dhaman, Bhand, Naqual.

Ghumar, Chakri, Ganagor, Jhulan Leela, Jhuma, Suisini, Ghapal,

Rajasthan
Kalbeliya.

Tamil Nadu Bharatanatyam, Kumi, Kolattam, Kavadi.

Uttar Pradesh Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli, Jaita.

Uttarakhand Garhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Raslila, Chappeli.

Tarangamel, Koli, Dekhni, Fugdi, Shigmo, Ghode, Modni, Samayi

Goa
nrutya, Jagar, Ranmale, Gonph, Tonnya mell.
Jawara, Matki, Aada, Khada Nach, Phulpati, Grida Dance,
Madhya Pradesh
Selalarki, Selabhadoni, Maanch.
Gaur Maria, Panthi, Raut Nacha, Pandwani, Vedamati, Kapalik,
Chhattisgarh
Bharthari Charit, Chandaini.

Alkap, Karma Munda, Agni, Jhumar, Janani Jhumar, Mardana

Jharkhand
Jhumar, Paika, Phagua,Hunta Dance, Mundari Dance, Sarhul,

Buiya, Chalo, Wancho, Pasi Kongki, Ponung, Popir, Bardo

Arunachal Pradesh
Chham.

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State Folk Dances

Dol Cholam, Thang Ta, Lai Haraoba, Pung Cholom, Khamba

Manipur
Thaibi, Nupa Dance, Raslila, Khubak Ishei, Lhou Sha.

Meghalaya Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Nongkrem, Laho.

Cheraw Dance, Khuallam, Chailam, Sawlakin, Chawnglaizawn,

Mizoram
Zangtalam, Par Lam, Sarlamkai/Solakia, Tlanglam.

Rangma, Bamboo Dance, Zeliang, Nsuirolians, Gethinglim,

Nagaland
Temangnetin, Hetaleulee.

Tripura Hojagiri.

Chu Faat Dance, Sikmari, Singhi Chaam or the Snow Lion

Sikkim Dance, Yak Chaam, Denzong Gnenha, Tashi Yangku Dance,
Khukuri Naach, Chutkey Naach, Maruni Dance.

Some Popular Folk Dances

 Some of the most popular folk dances performed across the Indian villages and
cities are Bhangra, Rouff, Garba, Kalbelia,Lavani,Chhau, Bihu and Raut Nacha –

Rouff – Jammu and Kashmir

 The traditional folk dance from the beautiful Kashmir Valley region of Jammu and
Kashmir. Dumhal is another folk dance of Jammu and Kashmir,performed on set
occasions and at set locations.

Bhangra – Punjab
 The folk dance of from the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent mostly
performed during the harvest festival of Baisakhi. Bhangra and Giddha are two most
famous folk dance of Punjab, practice and perform out of India as well.

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Ras Leela – Uttar Pradesh

 Rasalila is the most popular form of folk dance of India, especially during the
festivals of Krishna Janmashtami and Holi in the regions of Mathura and Vrindavan
in Uttar Pradesh.

Garba – Gujarat
 The traditional garba dance from Gujarat state, performed around the statue of the
Goddess Shakti during the festival of Navratri. Garba and Dandiya raas are two
most famous dance form from Gujarat as well in the world.

Ghoomar – Rajasthan
 The traditional folk dance from the royal Rajasthan, performed by women’s of the
Bhil tribes along with other Rajasthani communities. Ghoomar in among the list of
world’s top 10 most amazing local dances from India.

Bihu – Assam
 The folk dance from the state of Assam,performed during the festival of Bihu, one of
the three cultural festivals of Assam. Bihu dance is a group dance performed with
traditional Bihu music.

Lavani – Maharashtra
 A combination of traditional song and folk dance performed to the beats of Dholki in
the state of Maharashtra. Lavani folk dance is also popular in other states
of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Raut Nacha – Chhattisgarh

 The art and folk dance forms of Chhattisgarh, performed by yadava and an essential
part of the tribes of Chhattisgarh. Raut Nacha is tribal dance that represents the
traditional folk culture of the tribal region of Chhattisgarh.

Ghumura – Odisha
 Ghumura Folk Dance is a tribal dance, performed with traditional folk music in
the tribal state of Orissa. Ghumura dance form has also represented the nation in
various international dance events.

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Pulikali – Kerala
 The Folk art Pulikali or Tiger dance is one of the most popular folk dance in Kerala
during Onam festival in the Cultural Capital of Thrissur. Pulikali is a colorful
recreational folk art from, performed on the occasion of annual harvest festival of
Onam.

Karakattam – Tamil Nadu

 Karakattam is ancient tamil folk dance, performed balancing a pot on the head in
Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu offers the many folk dance such as Chakkai Attam,Kali
Attam,Ottan Koothu and Thappaattam.

Matki Dance – Madhya Pradesh

 Matki Folk Dance of Madhya Pradesh is considered as an important dance art from
the state, performed usually on wedding occasions. Madhya Pradesh is well known
state for its dances, traditions and cultures.

Dollu Kunitha – Karnataka

 Dollu Kunitha is a major form of folk dance from the state of Karnataka; the main
dances of Karnataka include several variations of folk dances as well as some of the
most important forms classical dances.

Veeranatyam – Andhra Pradesh

 Veeranatyam is an ancient form of dance from the state of Andhra
Pradesh associated with religious significance. Other folk dances of Andhra Pradesh
such as Kolatam,Vilasini Natyam and Lambadi.

Chhau – West Bengal

 Chhau Dance is one of the most important and famous folk dance of West
Bengal originated from Purulia district and performed during harvesting
festivals. The Indian tribal martial dance is also popular in the states of Odisha,
Jharkhand and West Bengal.

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The Indian Classical Dances

 The classical dance form originated from the Natya Shastra.

 There are 9 classical dance forms in India.

Classical Dance Form State

Bharat Natyam Tamil Nadu

Kathakali Kerala

Mohiniyattam Kerala

Odissi Orissa

Kuchipudi Andhra Pradesh

Manipuri Manipur

Kathak North India mainly U.P.

Sattriya Assam

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