List of Indian folk dances

Diverse culture of India has the treasure of a variety of folk and tribal dances in regions across the country. Indian folk dances are practice in the rural areas and performed during the religious or seasonal festivals. 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.

Indian Folk Dances


The different categories of Indian folk dances are listed below:

INDIAN FOLK DANCES

States Dance forms
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Nicobarese dances
Arunachal Pradesh Bardo Chham
Andhra Pradesh Thapetta Gullu
Chhattisgarh Panthi
Jharkhand Karma/Munda
Goa Tarangamel:

  • Koli Dance
  • Kunbi Dance
  • Jagar
  • Samayi nrutya
  • Gonph
  • Ranmale
  • Dekhni
  • Tonnya mell
Himachal Pradesh Kinnauri Nati
Namgen
Gujarat Garba
Raas
Padhar
Tippani Dance
Karnataka Yakshagana
Dollu Kunitha
Kashmir Dumhal
Madhya Pradesh Tertali
Charkula
Jawara
Lakshwadeep Lava
Maharashtra Pavri Nach:

  • Dhangari Gaja
  • Lavni
  • Koli
  • Povadas
  • Dindi
  • Tamasha
  • Dangi
  • Kala
  • Bharud
Mizoram Cheraw Dance
Manipur Thang Ta
Dol Cholam
Nagaland Sua Lua (or) Chang Lo
Odissa Ghumura Dance (or Ghumra Dance)
Goti Pua
Ruk Mar Nacha and Chhau dance
Nacni
Baagh Naach or Tiger Dance
Dalkhai (Chhiollai, Humobauli and Dauligit, Chhata, Sajani, Bhekani, Daika, Jaiphul, Rasarkeli, Bayamana, Maila Jada, and Gunchikuta) Dhap Karma Naach
Keisabadi
Pondicherry Garadi
Punjab Bhangra
Giddha
Dhamalan
Jhoomer
Sammi
Dankre
Ludi
Dandass
Jindua
Rajasthan Ghoomar
Bhavai
Kalbelia
Sikkim Singhi Cham
Tamil Nadu Kamandi or Kaman Pandigai
Devarattam
Kolattam
Kummi
Karagattam or Karagam
Mayil Attam or Peacock dance
Paampu Attam or Snake Dance
Puliyattam
Oyilattam
Bommalattam
Poikal Kudirai Attam
Theru Koothu
Tripura Hojagiri
West Bengal Gambhira
Nacni
Kalikapatadi
Domni
Alkap
Kerala Padayani

Facts About Indian folk dances

  • Gaur dance is a popular folk dance of Madhya Pradesh dances. Gaur dance is popular in the Sing Marias or Tallaguda Marias of South Bastar. Men put head-dresses with stringed ‘cowries’ and plumes of peacock feathers and make their way to the dancing ground.
  • Chhau is a popular folk dance of Bihar. Since masks form an important feature of this dance it is called ‘Chhau’, which means mask.
  • Bihu is a popular folk dance of Assam. The Bihu dance is an integral part of the Bihu festival of Assam. The Bihu festival is celebrated in mid-April, during the harvesting time and lasts for about a month.
  • Dumhal is a popular dance of Kashmir. This dance is performed with long colorful robes, tall conical caps (studded with beads and shells). Dumhal dance is accompanied by songs which the performers themselves sing.
  • Padayani is one of the most colorful and popular dances of Southern Kerala. Padayani is associated with the festival of certain temples, called Padayani or Paddeni. Such temples are in Alleppey, Quilon, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts.
  • Dollu Kunitha is a popular drum dance of Karnataka state. In the Dollu Kanitha dance, large drums are adorned with colored clothes and hang around the necks of men. The songs used in this dance usually have religious and battle fervor.
  • Dandiya is a popular folk dance of Rajasthan. Dressed in colorful costumes the performers play skillfully with big sticks in their hands.
  • Dandiya dance is accompanied by the musical instrument called the ‘Meddale’ played by the drummer in the centre.
  • The Bhil tribal of Rajasthan perform a variety of dances. All these folk dances correspond to the agricultural cycle. The Ghumer dance, Raika and Jhoria are some examples of this type of dance.
  • The Gher dance is a favorite and popular dance of the Mina tribe who are similar to the Bhils while Valar is typical dance of the Garasias of Rajasthan.

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Classical Dances of India


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