India is a land that bears a union of diversified types of cultures of every religion. The diverse variety of cultures in India contains the treasury of various vintage of folk and tribal dances in multiple regions all over the country. Indian folk dance is a dance that specifies each state. It signifies the essential culture of a state or any place. Indian folk dances are generally more prevalent in the rural areas and are ceremonial performances which take place during the religious or seasonal festivals.
It is a simple dance form which conveys their happiness regarding any festival, occasion or season arrival. These relatively simple dance performances, with a few numbers of steps, are must participate in some ceremonies such as childbirth, wedding or social customs. The hops burst with vigour and liveliness spirit. In this dance form, men and women participate together with full enthusiasm and joy. Each of the dance forms has a particular costume that depicts their culture.
Here is a list of the folk dances of various states:
| Name of the State | Name of the folk dances |
| Andhra Pradesh | Kuchipudi, Vilasini Natyam, Andhra Natyam, Bhamakalpam, Veeranatyam, Tappeta Gullu, Dappu, Lambadi, Dhimsa, Kolattam, Butta Bommalu. |
| Assam | Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga 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. |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Rauf, Hikat, Mandjas, Kud Dandi Nach, Damali. |
| Karnataka | Yakshagan, Huttari, Suggi, Kunitha, Karga, Lambi. |
| Kerala | Kathakali, Ottam Thulal, Mohiniattam, 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. |
| Rajasthan | Ghumar, Chakri, Ganagor, Jhulan Leela, Jhuma, Suisini, Ghapal, Kalbeliya. |
| Tamil Nadu | Bharatanatyam, Kumi, Kolattam, Kavadi. |
| Uttar Pradesh | Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli, Jaita. |
| Uttarakhand | Garhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Raslila, Chappeli. |
| Goa | Tarangamel, Koli, Dekhni, Fugdi, Shigmo, Ghode, Modni, Samayi nrutya, Jagar, Ranmale, Gonph, Tonnya mell. |
| Madhya Pradesh | Jawara, Matki, Aada, Khada Nach, Phulpati, Grida Dance, Selalarki, Selabhadoni, Maanch. |
| Chhattisgarh | Gaur Maria, Panthi, Raut Nacha, Pandwani, Vedamati, Kapalik, Bharthari Charit, Chandaini. |
| Jharkhand | Alkap, Karma Munda, Agni, Jhumar, Janani Jhumar, Mardana Jhumar, Paika, Phagua,Hunta Dance, Mundari Dance, Sarhul, Barao, Jhitka, Danga, Domkach, Ghora Naach. |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Buiya, Chalo, Wancho, Pasi Kongki, Ponung, Popir, Bardo Chham. |
| Manipur | Dol Cholam, Thang Ta, Lai Haraoba, Pung Cholom, Khamba Thaibi, Nupa Dance, Raslila, Khubak Ishei, Lhou Sha. |
| Meghalaya | Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Nongkrem, Laho. |
| Mizoram | Cheraw Dance, Khuallam, Chailam, Sawlakin, Chawnglaizawn, Zangtalam, Par Lam, Sarlamkai/Solakia, Tlanglam. |
| Nagaland | Rangma, Bamboo Dance, Zeliang, Nsuirolians, Gethinglim, Temangnetin, Hetaleulee. |
| Tripura | Hojagiri. |
| Sikkim | Chu Faat Dance, Sikmari, Singhi Chaam or the Snow Lion Dance, Yak Chaam, Denzong Gnenha, Tashi Yangku Dance, Khukuri Naach, Chutkey Naach, Maruni Dance. |
| Lakshadweep | Lava, Kolkali, Parichakali. |
Some of the most famous folk dances performed across the Indian villages and cities are Bhangra, Rouff, Garba, Kalbelia, Lavani, Chhau, Bihu and Raut Nacha.
Rouff – Jammu and Kashmir
It is the traditional folk dance of the beautiful Valley region of Jammu and Kashmir. Dumhal is the other folk dance of Jammu and Kashmir which is performed on specific occasions at specified locations.
Bhangra – Punjab
It is the famous folk dance of Punjab during the harvest festival of “Baisakhi”. Bhangra and Giddha are two most popular folk dances of Punjab. They are practised and performed all over India in other states as well.
Ras Leela – Uttar Pradesh
Ras Leela is the most famous form of folk dance of India especially during the festivals Janmashtami and Holi in parts of Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh.
Garba – Gujarat
It is a kind of traditional folk dance of Gujarat which is performed during Navratri by circling the statue of Goddess Shakti. Garba and Dandiya raas are the two most famous dances of Gujarat, which is celebrated all over the world.
Ghoomar – Rajasthan
Ghoomar is the traditional folk dance of the royal Rajasthan. Women belonging to the Bhil tribes as well as other Rajasthani communities perform this dance. Ghoomar is one of the top unique local dances of India, which is famous all over the world.
Bihu – Assam
It is the folk dance of Assam during the festival, Bihu. It is one of the three cultural festivals of Assam. It is a kind of group dance which uses traditional Bihu music.
Lavani – Maharashtra
It is a combination of traditional song and folk dance along with the beats of Dholki in Maharashtra. Lavani folk dance is also popular in other states of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Raut Nacha – Chhattisgarh
It is an art as well as a folk dance form of Chhattisgarh. Yadav’s usually perform this and regard it as an essential part of the Chhattisgarh tribes. Raut Nacha is a tribal dance that represents the traditional folk culture of the tribal region of Chhattisgarh.
Pulikali – Kerala
Pulikali is a folk art which is also known as “Tiger dance”, which is one of the most famous folk dances of Kerala performed during the festival of Onam in the Cultural Capital of Thrissur. Pulikali is a colourful avocational kinsmen arts from, served in the annual harvest festival of Onam.
Karakattam – Tamil Nadu
Karakattam is an ancient Tamil folk dance. It is performed by balancing a pot on the head. Tamil Nadu possesses many folk dances such as Chakkai Attam, Kali Attam, Ottan Koothu and Thappaattam.
Chhau – West Bengal
Chhau Dance is one of the most prime and prominent folk dances of West Bengal. It originated from Purulia district and is the main act during harvesting festivals. The Indian tribal martial dance is also popular in the states of Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Classical Dances In India
Classical dance forms are generally ceremonial performances in the holy places according to the rituals. These rituals are known as Agama Nartanam. The dance forms in classical are identified based on the elegance and fidelity of the movements. It combines steps, poses and gestures. The classical dance in India is based on Natya Shastra and signify liberalism.
Here is a list of states with their famous classical dance forms
- · Tamil Nadu: Bharatnatyam
- · Assam: Bihu
- · Punjab: Bhangra
- · Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand: Chhau
- · Uttaranchal: Garhwali
- · Gujarat: Garba
- · Karnataka: Hattari
- · North India: Kathak
- · Kerala: Kathakali
- · Andhra Pradesh: Kuchipudi
- · Mizoram: Khantumm
- · Madhya Pradesh: Karma
- · Meghalaya: Laho
- · Goa: Nado
- · Manipur: Manipuri
- · Himachal Pradesh: Nati
- · Jammu and Kashmir: Rauf
Some of the Classical Dances in India are
Bharatnatyam is one of the most favoured forms of dances in India from Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. Further, three concepts are given priority in Bharatnatyam. They are raga, thaala, and bhava.
Ghoomer is a popular form of dance in Rajasthan. Its root word is ‘ghoomna’ which in Hindi means to roam. Hence, in this dance, the performers carry earthen pots and use their smooth movements of hands and feet.
Summary
India holds an innumerable variety of cultures from every state. These cultures are depicted joyfully by dancing. Both men and women take interest in such kinds of dances. This form of dance is called Folk Dance. There are many genera of folk dances in India altogether. But the popularity of the folk dances is not only confined to India, but also across the globe. Some most famous dance forms famous all over India and even out of India are Bhangra, Kathakali, Garba, Ghoomar and many more.
