What is Folk Dance?

The Dance which is developed by the common people, which reflects Life and Culture of the people of a certain country or region, is called Folk Dance or Lok Nirtya. These are very simple Dances without any Professional training and are performed with Traditional music.

Importance of Folk Dance

  • Folk Dances from the 19th century or earlier that have not been patented.
  • The style of these dances is Traditional and not an Innovation created by any one individual.
  • Its Dancers are common people and not the elite of society.
  • There is no Institution controlling it.

Classification of Folk Dances in India

Though it is not easy to classify the different states of India and their Folk Dances/Lok Nirtya, but in general they can be kept in the following four categories:

  • Regional Folk Dances: These are Dances related to a particular region i.e. dances that are found only in certain regions; Like – Garba of Gujarat, Bihu of Assam, etc.
  • Dances related to Festivals: The Folk Dance which is performed on Festivals or Religious occasions is called a festival or Religious Folk Dance; Like – Karma dance of Jharkhand.
  • Commercial Folk Dances: The Folk Dances whose performance has become a means of earning money are called Commercial Folk Dances; Like – Bhawai dance of Rajasthan, the Terhtali dance.
  • Caste-based Folk Dances: In Folk Dances, performed by people of a particular caste are called Caste-based Folk Dances; Like – Lambadi dance in Andhra Pradesh.

List of All Indian States and their Folk Dances:

State Name Folk Dance
Andhra Pradesh Ghantamardala, (Ottam Thedal, Mohiniattam, Kummi, Siddhi, Madhuri, Chhadi. Vilasini Natyam, Bhamakalpam, Veeranatyam, Dappu, Tappeta Gullu, Lambadi, Dhimsa, Kolattam. Butta Bommalu.
Arunachal Pradesh Chham, Mask dance (Mukhauta Nritya), War dance, Buiya, Chalo, Wancho, Pasi Kongki, Ponung, Popir, Bardo .
Assam Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga dance, Khel Gopal, Tabal Chongli, Canoe, Jhumura Hobjanai etc.
Bihar Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya, Sama-Chakwa, Bidesia, Jatra .
Chhattisgarh Gaur Maria, Panthi, Raut Nacha, Pandwani, Vedamati, Kapalik, Chandaini, Bharthari Charit, Goudi, Karma, Jhumar, Dagla, Pali, Tapali, Navrani, Diwari, Mundari, Jhumar.
Goa Fugdi, Dhalo, Kunbi, Dhangar, Mandi, Jhagor, Khol, Dakni, Tarangamel, Shigmo, Ghode, Modni, Samayi nrutya, Jagar, Ranmale, amayi nrutya, Tonnya mell.
Gujarat Garba, Dandiya Ras, Bhavai, Tippani Juriun, Bhavai, Ganpati Bhajan, Panihari
Haryana Jhumar, Phag Dance, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khor, Gagor .
Himachal Pradesh Kinnauri, Thoda, Jhora, Jhali, Chharhi, Dhaman, Chhapeli, Mahasu, Dangi, Chamba, Thali, Jhainta, Daf, Stick dance .
Jharkhand Karma, Agni, Jhumar, Janani Jhumar, Mardana Jhumar, Paika, Phagua, Chhanu, Sarahul, Jat-Jatin, Karma, Danga, Bidesia, Sohrai, Hunta Dance, Mundari Dance, Sarhul, Barao, Jhitka, Danga, Domkach, Ghora Naach.
Karnataka Yakshagana, Huttari, Suggi, Kunitha, Karga, Lambi, Veergasse, Bhootkola
Kerala Ottam Thulal, Kaikottikali, Tappatikali, Kali Auttam.
Madhya Pradesh Kathak, Tertali, Maanch, Matki, Aada, Khada Nach, Phulpati, Grida Dance, Selalarki, Selabhadoni, Jawara etc.
Maharashtra Lavani, Nakata, Koli, Lezim, Gafa, Dahikala Dasavtar or Bohada, Tamasha, Mauni, Powara, Gouricha .
Manipur Thang Ta, Lai Haraoba, Pung Cholom, Rakhal, Nat Rash, Maha Rash, Raukhat, Dol Cholam, Khamba Thaibi, Nupa Dance, Raslila, Khubak Ishei, Lhou Sha.
Meghalaya Laho, Baala, Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Nongkrem,
Mizoram Cheraw Dance, Khuallam, Chailam, Sawlakin, Chawnglaizawn, Zangtalam, Par Lam, Sarlamkai/ Solakia, Tlanglam, Khanatm, Pakhupila, Cherokan
Nagaland Chong, Khaiva, Lim, Nuralim, Bamboo Dance, Temangnetin, Hetaleulee.Rangma, Zeliang, Nsuirolians, Gethinglim
Odisha Ghumara, Ranappa, Ghumara, Chhau, Chadya Dandanata, Savari, Painka, Munari, Dhumra, Jadoor
Punjab Bhangra, Giddha, Daff, Dhaman, Bhand, Naqual.
Rajasthan Ghoomar, Suisini, kalbeliya, Chakri, Ganagor, Jhulan Leela, Jhuma, Suisini, Ghapal, Panihari, Ginad, Kathak etc.
Sikkim Chu Faat, Yak Chaam Sikmari, Singhi Chaam or the Snow Lion, Yak Chaam, Denzong Gnenha, Tashi Yangku, Khukuri Naach, Chutkey Naach, Maruni Dance.
Tamil Nadu Karagam, Kumi, Kolattam, Kavadi, Dappankuthu
Telangana Perini Shivatandavam, Keisabadi
Tripura Hojagiri, Boomani, Bijhu, Cheraw, Hai-Hak, Wangala, Sangrai
Uttar Pradesh Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli, Jaita.
Uttarakhand Chappeli, Gadhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Raslila etc.
West Bengal Purulia Chhau, Alkap, Kathi, Gambhira, Dhali, Jatra, Baul, Marasia, Mahal, Keertan,Santhali Dance, Mundari dance, Gambhira, Gajan, Chaibari Nritya

List of Folk Dances of Union Territories of India

State Name Folk Dance
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Nicobari dance Great Andamanese Dances
Chandigarh Giddha Dance
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Tarpa Dance, Bhawada Dance, Dhol Dance and Tur and Thali Dance
Delhi Kathak
Jammu and Kashmir Kud Dance, Rouf Dance, Dumhal Dance, Hafiza Dance, Bhand Pather, Bacha Nagma, Bhadjas Dance, Hikat Dance
Ladakh Spawo Dance, Shone Dance, Drugpa-Rches, Jabro Dance, Bagstonrches, Lamas Dances, Koshan Dance, Yak Dance, Tukhstanmo
Lakshadweep Parichakali

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☞ Folk Dances of India GK Questions and Answers 🔗

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Indian Folk Dance FAQs:

Garba is a form of dance that originates from the state of Gujarat in India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit words Garbha and Deep. Many traditional Garbas are performed around a centrally lit lamp or picture or idol of Goddess Shakti.

Tappatikali folk dance belongs to the state of Kerala.

Karagam folk dance belongs to the state of Tamil Nadu.

Kuchipudi is one of the eight major Indian classical dances. It originated in a village called Kuchipudi in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Kuchipudi is a dance-drama performance that has its roots in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra.

Raas or Dandiya Raas is a socio-religious folk dance originating from the Indian state of Gujarat and is popularly performed in the festival of Navratri. The dance is also performed in the Marwar region of Rajasthan. The etymology of dandiya-raas is in Sanskrit

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