Introduction to Folk Dances of India

India is renowned for its vibrant culture and diverse traditions, especially its folk dances. These dances are performed on special occasions like weddings, festivals, and during harvest seasons. Each state in India has its own unique folk dances that reflect local customs and history.

In this guide, we will provide a list of folk dances from different states in India, making it easier for students to remember these dances for exams like UPSC, SSC, and other competitive exams.

State	Folk Dances
Andhra Pradesh	Kuchipudi, Vilasini Natyam, Veeranatyam, Dappu, Kolattam, Lambadi, Butta Bommalu
Assam	Bihu, Bagurumba, Kaligopal, Naga Dance, Khel Gopal
Bihar	Jata-Jatin, Panwariya, Bidesia
Gujarat	Garba, Dandiya Ras, Bhavai
Haryana	Jhumar, Phag, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga
Himachal Pradesh	Nati, Chhapeli, Jhora
Jammu and Kashmir	Rauf, Kud, Mandjas
Karnataka	Yakshagan, Suggi, Kunitha
Kerala	Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Ottam Thullal
Maharashtra	Lavani, Koli, Lezim
Odisha	Odissi, Ghumara, Chhau
Punjab	Bhangra, Giddha, Daff
Rajasthan	Ghumar, Kalbeliya
Tamil Nadu	Bharatanatyam, Kolattam, Kavadi
Uttar Pradesh	Raslila, Kajri, Nautanki
Uttarakhand	Garhwali, Kumayuni
Goa	Fugdi, Tarangamel
Madhya Pradesh	Jawara, Matki
Chhattisgarh	Panthi, Raut Nacha
Jharkhand	Karma, Jhumar, Paika
Arunachal Pradesh	Buiya, Chalo, Ponung
Manipur	Raslila, Pung Cholom
Meghalaya	Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Laho
Mizoram	Cheraw Dance
Nagaland	Bamboo Dance, Zeliang
Tripura	Hojagiri
Sikkim	Yak Chaam, Singhi Chaam
Lakshadweep	Kolkali, Lava

Folk Dances of Different States in India- Complete Details

Folk dances hold a significant place in Indian traditions as they preserve ancient customs. These dances are usually performed during festive occasions, and they highlight the diversity of Indian culture. The costumes, music, and rhythm associated with these dances vary from state to state, offering a glimpse into India’s rich cultural landscape.

Andhra Pradesh Folk Dances

• Kuchipudi: A classical dance form with origins in Andhra Pradesh, it incorporates both dance and drama. It narrates religious stories and myths, often using intricate footwork and expressive facial gestures.
• Vilasini Natyam: A temple dance form traditionally performed in the temples of Andhra Pradesh, known for its devotional roots.
• Veeranatyam: A vigorous dance performed in honor of Lord Shiva, it symbolizes the dance of warriors and is accompanied by intense drumming.
• Dappu: A rhythmic folk dance where participants use drums (dappu) to create music and dance in sync. It’s common during festivals and processions.
• Butta Bommalu: A mask dance where dancers wear large, colorful masks and perform synchronized movements, often narrating folk stories.

Assam Folk Dances

• Bihu: Celebrated during the Bihu festival, this energetic dance marks the Assamese New Year and the onset of the harvest season. The dance features rhythmic swaying and hand movements.
• Bagurumba: A dance performed by the Bodo tribe, it represents the simplicity and grace of the Bodo culture, mimicking the movements of butterflies and nature.

Bihar Folk Dances

• Jata-Jatin: A narrative dance based on a folklore story of a couple, this dance showcases themes of love, separation, and reunion, popular in the northern regions of Bihar.
• Panwariya: A dance form performed by rural communities in Bihar, often during religious ceremonies, depicting local stories and themes.

Gujarat Folk Dances

• Garba: A traditional dance form performed during the Navratri festival, where dancers move in circular formations around a central light or deity, symbolizing life and divinity.
• Dandiya Ras: Performed with sticks (dandiyas), this vibrant dance involves rhythmic clashing of the sticks in synchronized patterns. It’s also a key highlight during Navratri celebrations.
• Bhavai: A folk theatre form from Gujarat, where performers use music, dance, and drama to narrate social or religious stories, often with a humorous touch.

Haryana Folk Dances

• Jhumar: A harvest dance performed by both men and women, it celebrates the joy of reaping the crops and is accompanied by singing and drumming.
• Phag: This dance is performed during the Phalgun season (spring) and features a display of agricultural joy with energetic movements.

Himachal Pradesh Folk Dances

• Nati: One of the most famous folk dances of Himachal Pradesh, Nati is performed on special occasions like weddings and festivals. The dancers form a circle, moving gracefully to traditional music.

Jammu and Kashmir Folk Dances

• Rauf: A folk dance performed by women during the spring season, it features slow, swaying movements and is accompanied by traditional Kashmiri music.
• Kud: Performed in the mountainous regions, this dance is a spontaneous expression of joy after a successful harvest and is characterized by the use of vibrant costumes.

Karnataka Folk Dances

• Yakshagan: A form of traditional theater from Karnataka that includes dance, drama, and music. It is performed in open-air theaters, often narrating epic tales from Hindu mythology.
• Kunitha: A drum dance where performers skillfully balance drums while performing acrobatic movements.

Kerala Folk Dances

• Kathakali: A classical dance form from Kerala, it is known for its elaborate costumes and makeup. It narrates tales from Hindu epics through exaggerated facial expressions and precise hand gestures.
• Mohiniyattam: A graceful classical dance form performed by women, this dance is known for its delicate movements and is dedicated to the female form of Lord Vishnu, Mohini.

Maharashtra Folk Dances

• Lavani: A popular folk dance of Maharashtra, Lavani is known for its powerful rhythm and energetic footwork. It’s often performed to traditional Marathi music with a blend of sensuality and expressiveness.
• Koli: Performed by the Koli fishermen community, this dance reflects the daily lives and routines of fishermen, symbolizing the strength and resilience of the community.

Odisha Folk Dances

• Ghumara: A traditional dance performed during festivals, especially in the western parts of Odisha. It features energetic movements with the use of drums.
• Chhau: A unique dance form that combines martial arts and storytelling. The performers wear masks and depict scenes from Indian epics.

Punjab Folk Dances

• Bhangra: One of the most popular folk dances of Punjab, Bhangra is performed to celebrate the harvest. It features vigorous body movements and energetic steps, accompanied by the beats of the dhol (drum).
• Giddha: A female counterpart to Bhangra, Giddha is performed by women, often depicting daily life activities through song and dance.

Rajasthan Folk Dances

• Ghumar: A traditional dance of the Rajput women, Ghumar involves graceful twirling movements, showcasing the colorful attire and traditional jewelry of Rajasthan.
• Kalbeliya: Performed by the Kalbeliya snake charmers, this dance mimics the movements of snakes. The women dancers wear long black skirts adorned with silver embroidery.

Tamil Nadu Folk Dances

• Bharatanatyam: A classical dance form from Tamil Nadu, Bharatanatyam is known for its rigorous movements and intricate hand gestures, expressing stories of devotion and mythology.
• Kolattam: A traditional stick dance performed by groups of women, similar to Dandiya, but with a unique Tamil flavor.

Uttar Pradesh Folk Dances

• Raslila: A dance that depicts the life of Lord Krishna, particularly his youthful antics with the gopis (milkmaids). It’s popular during Janmashtami.
• Kajri: A monsoon dance performed in the regions of Uttar Pradesh to celebrate the rainy season.

Uttarakhand Folk Dances

• Garhwali: A folk dance representing the customs and traditions of the Garhwal region. It’s performed during festivals and marriages.
• Kumayuni: This dance is performed in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, reflecting local stories and myths.

Goa Folk Dances

• Fugdi: A dance performed by women in Goa during festivals. It involves fast hand and foot movements, accompanied by folk songs.
• Tarangamel: A vibrant dance form where performers use colorful flags and streamers to celebrate festivals like Holi and Dussehra.

Madhya Pradesh Folk Dances

• Jawara: A harvest dance performed by farmers to celebrate a successful season. The dancers carry sheaves of wheat or barley, showcasing their joy.
• Matki: A traditional dance performed by women who balance a matki (earthen pot) on their heads while performing intricate dance moves.

Chhattisgarh Folk Dances

• Panthi: Performed by the Satnami community, this dance holds religious significance and is performed during important festivals.
• Raut Nacha: A traditional folk dance performed by the Yadavs (cowherds) to honor Lord Krishna.

Jharkhand Folk Dances

• Karma: A tribal dance performed during the Karma festival, celebrating the harvest season. The dancers perform in a circular formation around a tree, singing and playing drums.
• Jhumar: A harvest dance performed by tribal communities, particularly the Munda and Santhal tribes, symbolizing joy and prosperity.

Arunachal Pradesh Folk Dances

• Buiya: A war dance performed by the Sherdukpen tribe, it commemorates battles and showcases the martial spirit of the community.
• Ponung: A community dance performed by the Adi tribe during festivals and special occasions, symbolizing unity and social harmony.

Manipur Folk Dances

• Raslila: Similar to the Raslila of Uttar Pradesh, this Manipuri version depicts the divine love story of Radha and Krishna through graceful movements and elaborate costumes.
• Pung Cholom: A drum dance where performers play large drums (pungs) while dancing. It is marked by acrobatic movements and is part of Manipur’s vibrant cultural heritage.

Meghalaya Folk Dances

• Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem: A religious dance performed by the Khasi tribe, it is meant to thank the gods for the harvest and other blessings.
• Laho: A lively dance where men and women form groups, performing synchronized steps to traditional music.

Mizoram Folk Dances

• Cheraw Dance: Known as the Bamboo Dance, this traditional dance involves dancers moving rhythmically between bamboo poles as they are clapped together in time with the music.

Nagaland Folk Dances

• Bamboo Dance: Similar to Mizoram’s Cheraw Dance, this dance is performed during festivals, where dancers showcase agility and synchronization while moving through bamboo poles.
• Zeliang: A harvest dance performed by the Zeliang tribe, symbolizing joy and celebration of nature’s bounty.

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