Folk Dances of India 2024, Check State Wise list Free here,

Folk Dances Of India: Indian States and Folk Dances

Folk dances in India reflect the customs and heritage of the specific community they come from. Typically, these dances are part of community celebrations, such as celebrations for births, festivals, marriages, and other special occasions. Below is a list of folk dances performed in different parts of India.

• Folk dances are all about energy, enthusiasm and power..
• Folk dances are not performed by professional dancers. It is a dance of common people.
• A folk dance is a dance developed by people that reflect the life of the people of a certain
  country or region.

Folk Dances of India 2024 : The following folk dances are based on recent trends and previous year question papers. Students find it difficult to memorize folk dances, the truth is that you don’t have to memorize them verbatim, you should read them out loud and repeat them until you get a satisfactory result. It is very important to revise what you have read so that the information stays in your memory.

State Wise Folk dances

State	Folk Dances
Andhra Pradesh	Kuchipudi Dappu Dhimsa Kolattam Vilasini Natyam Andhra Natyam Bhamakalpam Veeranatyam Dappu Tappeta Gullu Lambadi, Dhimsa Kolattam Butta Bommalu.
Assam	Bihu Gamocha Tabal Chongli Natpuja 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 Dangi Hallisaka Gheriya Nritya Dandia (On Navratri) Rathwa ni Gher (On Holi by Rathwa Tribe) Dandiya Ras Tippani Juriun Bhavai
Haryana	Jhumar Phag Daph Dhamal Loor (by Women) Ratvai (By Mewati Tribes) Gugga Khor Gagor
Himachal Pradesh	Jhora Chharhi Thoda (Sports Dance/ Martial Art form) Chham (By Buddhist to ward off evil spirit) Nati (  Guiness Book of World Jhali Chharhi Dhaman Chhapeli Mahasu Dangi
Jammu and Kashmir	Rauf Dhumal Hafiza Bhand Pather Hikat Mandjas Kud Dandi Nach Damali
Karnataka	Yakshagana Bolak-aat Ummatt-aat Dollu Kunitha Hampi Bayalata Veeragase (During Dussehra), Bhootada Kola (Walking on bed of hot coal) Huttari Suggi Kunitha Karga Lambi
Kerala	Kathakali (Classical) Kummattikali (Mask dance) Ottam Thullal Kolkali Padayani Ottam Thulal Mohiniattam Kaikottikali
Maharashtra	Lavani Povada Dhangri Gaja Lezim (During Ganesh Festival) Nakata Koli Gafa Dahikala Dasavtar or Bohada
Odisha	Odissi (Classical) Dalkhai Sakhi Kandhei (Puppet Dance) Paika Gotipua Tiger Nach (Bagh Nach on Chatra month) Ranapa (Enacting Chapters from life of Lord Krishna) Mayurbhanj Chhau (Martial Art form derived from Tribal Savari Ghumara Painka Munari Chhau
West Bengal	Kathi Gambhira Dhali Jatra Baul Marasia Mahal Dhali Jatra Bhatiyali Geet Gambira (Using Wooden Masks) Alkam (Famous Dancing, Singing) Keertan
Punjab	Baga (Martial Dance) Heer Geet Tappa (Often shows soreness of a lover) Viyahula Giddha (During Marriage) Bhangra (Bhangra word derived from Hemp) Daff Dhaman Bhand Naqual
Rajasthan	Ghumar Chakri Bhavai Jhulan Gangaur Terah Taali Suisini Kalbelia (UNESCO Recognised dance form) Ghoomar (State Dance of Rajasthan) Khayal (By Bhawai Tribe Jhulan Leela Jhuma Suisini Ghapal Kalbeliya
Tamil Nadu	Bharatanatyam Kummi Karagam Natyanjali (Tribute to Lord Shiva Kolattam Kavadi
Uttar Pradesh	Nautanki Raslila Kajri Jhora Chappeli Jaita
Uttarakhand	Garhwali Kumayuni Kajari Jhora Raslila Choliya (Martial art/ Sword Dance) Hurka Baul Chappeli
Goa	Tarangamel Dhalo Kunbi (Tribal Dance) Dhangar (Shepherd Community during Navratri) Koli Dekhni Fugdi Shigmo Ghode Modni Samayi nrutya Jagar Ranmale Gonph, Tonnya mell
Madhya Pradesh	Jawara Matki  Jawara (Celebrate Wealth), Phulpati (By unmarried girls of Malwa Community) Aada Khada Nach Phulpati Grida Dance Selalarki Selabhadoni Maanch
Chhattisgarh	Gaur Maria Panthi Gaur Saila (By Boys after harvest Season) Sua  (Tribal Dance Women dance like a Parrot) Raut Nacha Pandwani Vedamati Kapalik Bharthari Charit Chandaini
Jharkhand	Alkap Karma Munda Agni Jhumar Janani Jhumar Mardana Jhumar Paika Karma (During Autumn Season) Birhor (By Tribe Birhor) Kadsa (Carrying Kalasha Phagua Hunta Dance Mundari Dance Sarhul Barao Jhitka Danga Domkach Ghora Naach
Arunachal Pradesh	Buiya Rikhampada Ponu Yoksi Bardo Chham Ponung Popir Chalo Wancho Pasi Kongki Ponung Popir Bardo Chham
Manipur	Dol Cholam Thang Ta Lai Haraoba Pung Cholom Khamba Thaibi Nupa Dance Raslila Pong Cholom Jagoi Khubak Ishei Lhou  Sha
Meghalaya	Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem Laho Nongkrem (By Khasi Tribes during Wangla Festival) Chad Sukra (Celebrate as a sowing festival), Behdienkhlam
Mizoram	Cheraw Dance Khuallam Chailam Sawlakin Cheraw (Traditional Bamboo Dance) Khullam (Performed by village Guests) Chawnglaizawn Zangtalam Par Lam Sarlamkai/Solakia Tlanglam
Nagaland	Rangma Bamboo Dance Zeliang Nsuirolians Gethinglim Temangnetin Hetaleulee Leshalaptu Aaluyattu (By konyak tribe)
Tripura	Hojagiri Maimata (By Kaloi Community)
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 Chu Faat (By Lepcha Community, in honour of MountKhangchendzonga) Maruni Limbo or Subba (Chyap Brung music instrument is used) Lama or Chham (Masked Dance by buddhist lamas during Pong Lhabsol Festival
Ladakh	Spao
Lakshadweep	Lava Kolkali Chakali Parichakali

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Folk Dances are an integral part of the Static GK Syllabus, the list provided incorporates all the dances important from the examination point of view, hope it helps you in better preparation.

Folk Dances of India 2024, Some important Folk Dances In India

Dumhal and Rouff of Jammu and Kashmir

• Dumhal is performed by men of the Wattal tribe of Kashmir to celebrate special occasions.
• It is performed wearing long vibrant-coloured robes, a conical cap studded with beads and shells.
• The group of dancers moves in a procession, ceremoniously carrying a banner which is dug in the ground and the men dance around it in circles.
• Rouff is a much loved customary dance of Kashmir performed by girls.
• It involves simple footwork and is mostly performed on celebrated occasions such as Ramzan and Id.
• Rouff has been an element of Kashmiri life since primaeval times, and it was a welcoming dance performed by women on the onset of spring season.

Bhangra of Punjab

• One of the most popular dances, not just in the state of Punjab, but in the country as a whole. It was performed originally during the harvest season, wearing a traditional Punjabi dress and with instruments including a Dhol, Chimta, Algoza and others.
• It is regarded as a popular music style in the country.
• The dance form has a mix of many steps like dhamaal, jutti, fulka, sialkoti, dankare, jugni, mirzi, fumnian.
• Other folk dance of Punjab like Jhummar and Sammi, are also included in Bhangra.

Raas Leela of Uttar Pradesh

• It is popular in the region of Mathura and Vrindavan of Uttar Pradesh and is associated with the festival of Holi and Janmashtami.
• It is a part of the mythological stories of Lord Krishna where he dances with Radha and sakhis.
• It is regarded as the “dance of the divine love.”
• The Indian classical dance Kathak evolved from Raas Leela of Braj and Manipuri classical dance.
• Raas Leela has been a popular theme in many other classical dance forms.

Garba of Gujarat

• Traditional Garba is performed around a clay lantern known as the Garba Deep or around the statue of Goddess Shakti.
• Symbolically the Garba Deep represents a body within which the divine energy of the Goddess resides.
• The dance is performed in groups to celebrate the nine days Hindu festival of Navratri.
• It is performed in rings and concentric circles representing the cycle of birth and death in Hinduism, leaving only one constant which is the divinity of God symbolized by the idol of the Goddess or the Garba Deep.

Ghoomar of Rajasthan

• Ghoomar was developed by the Bhil tribe and was later adopted by Rajasthani communities.
• The beauty of this folk dance is in the swirling colourful robes of the women as the pirouetting displays the vibrant colors of the flowing ghagra (long heavily embroidered colourful skirt).

Bihu of Assam

• Characterized by brisk steps and rapid hand movements, this is a folk dance performed by both men and women of Assam.
• The musical instruments mostly used in the dance are Dhol (drum), Pepa (horn), Gagana (an instrument made of bamboo).
• Usually, the ladies wear a mustard and red coloured saree while the men are dressed in a dhoti and a headband of red and mustard color.

Lavani of Maharashtra

• Performed on the beats of the instrument Dholki, Lavani is characterized by powerful rhythms.
• It contributes majorly to Marathi folk theatre.
• It is performed by females dressed in a nine-yard-long saree on songs in a quick tempo.

Ghumura of Odisha

• One of the most sought-after dances in Odisha, Ghumura is similar to a tribal dance, because of the dress that is worn while performing it.
• Research suggests that it was regarded as a war dance in ancient India, and was performed by Ravana in the Ramayana.
• Its roots in the Medieval period are confirmed by the fact that this dance is depicted in the Sun Temple, Konark.
• The movements and expressions used in the dance make it a “heroic dance.”

Kathakali of Kerala

• Katha means story and kali means play
• Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world.
• Originating more than 1500 years ago, this is a combination of dance, drama, music and ritual.
• Noted for elaborate costumes, attractive make-up done on the characters, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tunes.

Yakshagana

Yakshagana is a traditional theater form originating from Karnataka, particularly from Gunavante village in Honnavar taluka.

• It’s a lively performance combining music, dance, dialogue, and elaborate costumes, similar to Broadway or opera. Families in villages have passed down this art for generations.
• Yakshagana, rooted in Sanskrit literature, emerged between the 11th and 16th centuries in coastal Karnataka and parts of Kerala.
• It began as a temple tradition and evolved into a full-fledged theatre form, drawing stories from Hindu epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• Yakshagana costumes are vibrant, featuring headgear, chest decorations, shoulder ornaments, and belts made from light wood covered in golden foil, adorned with mirrors and colorful stones.