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

1. ·       Tamil Nadu: Bharatnatyam
2. ·       Assam: Bihu
3. ·       Punjab: Bhangra
4. ·       Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand: Chhau
5. ·       Uttaranchal: Garhwali
6. ·       Gujarat: Garba
7. ·       Karnataka: Hattari
8. ·       North India: Kathak
9. ·       Kerala: Kathakali
10. ·       Andhra Pradesh: Kuchipudi
11. ·       Mizoram: Khantumm
12. ·       Madhya Pradesh: Karma
13. ·       Meghalaya: Laho
14. ·       Goa: Nado
15. ·       Manipur: Manipuri
16. ·       Himachal Pradesh: Nati
17. ·       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.

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