Classical and Folk Dances of India
Explore the classical and folk dances of India with a state-wise list, dance forms, festivals, communities and important facts for TNPSC, UPSC and other competitive exams.
Classical and Folk Dances of India
- Classical Dances of India = Classical dances are traditional Indian dance forms based on established rules, techniques, expressions and religious or cultural themes. Examples include Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam and Sattriya.
- Folk Dances of India = Folk dances are traditional dances performed by communities during festivals, celebrations, agricultural activities and social occasions. Examples include Bhangra, Garba, Ghoomar, Bihu, Lavani, Dandiya, Karagattam and Kummi.
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8 Classical dances of India
- The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognizes 8 classical dance traditions (the Ministry of Culture also includes Chhau as a 9th semi-classical dance)
- Bharatanatyam = Tamil Nadu(Solo temple dance (Dasiattam roots), precise geometry, expressive abhinaya)
- Kathak = Uttar Pradesh (Storytellers (Kathakars), intricate footwork (tatkar), rapid spins (chakkars))
- Kathakali = Kerala (Stylised dance-drama, vivid face paint (vesham), elaborate headgear, epic narratives)
- Mohiniyattam = Kerala (“Dance of the Enchantress”, graceful swaying movements, white-and-gold attire (kasavu))
- Kuchipudi = Andhra Pradesh (Dramatic storytelling combining dance and song, tarangam (dancing on a brass plate))
- Odissi = Odisha (Sensuous curves, distinct body postures (Tribhanga and Chowka), Gita Govinda themes)
- Sattriya = Assam (Monastic dance-drama founded by 15th-century saint Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva)
- Manipuri = Manipur (Devotional Vaishnavite themes, lyrical movements, Raas Leela, cylindrical skirts (kumil))
- Classical and Folk Dances of India
Folk dances of India
- Andhra Pradesh = Vilasini Natyam, Bhamakalpam, Dhimsa, Kolattam, Veeranatyam
- Arunachal Pradesh = Bardo Chham, Buiya, Chalo, Wancho, Ponung, Lion and Peacock Dance
- Assam = Bihu, Bagurumba, Bhortal, Jhumur, Ali-Ai-Ligang
- Bihar = Jat-Jatin, Bidesia, Jhijhiya, Jumari, Sohar-Khilouna, Kajari
- Chhattisgarh = Panthi, Raut Nacha, Pandwani, Karma, Saila, Gaur Maria
- Goa = Fugdi, Dhalo, Dekhni, Corridinho, Kunbi, Tarangamel
- Gujarat = Garba, Dandiya Raas, Bhavai, Tippani, Padhar
- Haryana = Phag, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khoria, Daph
- Himachal Pradesh = Nati, Dangi, Chham, Demon Dance (Rakshasa), Jhora, Kayang
- Jharkhand = Chhau (Seraikella), Jhumar, Paika, Karma Munda, Santhali
- Karnataka = Yakshagana, Dollu Kunitha, Veeragase, Bolak-aat, Kamsale
- Kerala = Theyyam, Thiruvathirakali, Kolkali, Padayani, Ottamthullal
- Madhya Pradesh = Matki, Jawara, Grida, Maanch, Bhagoria, Tertali
- Maharashtra = Lavani, Koli, Dhangari Gaja, Lezim, Povada, Tamasha
- Manipur = Thang-Ta, Pung Cholom, Luivat Pheizak, Shim Lam
- Meghalaya = Nongkrem (Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem), Wangala, Laho
- Mizoram = Cheraw (Bamboo Dance), Khuallam, Chheihlam, Solakia, Sarlamkai
- Nagaland = Chang Lo (Sua Lua), Modse, Agurshikukula, Butterfly Dance
- Odisha = Chhau (Mayurbhanj), Gotipua, Sambalpuri (Dalkhai), Ghumura, Ranappa
- Punjab = Bhangra, Giddha, Sammi, Jhumar, Malwai Giddha, Kikli
- Rajasthan = Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Bhavai, Chari, Gair, Kachhi Ghodi
- Sikkim = Singhi Chham (Snow Lion), Yak Chham, Maruni, Chu Faat
- Tamil Nadu = Karagattam, Kavadi Aattam, Oyilattam, Mayil Attam, Poikkal Kudirai Attam
- Telangana = Perini Sivatandavam, Gusadi, Lambadi, Dappu
- Tripura = Hojagiri, Garia, Bizu, Hai Hak, Lebang Boomani
- Uttar Pradesh = Raslila, Ramlila, Nautanki, Charkula, Kajri, Dadra
- Uttarakhand = Chholiya, Jhora, Chhapeli, Barada Nati, Langvir Nritya
- West Bengal = Chhau (Purulia), Baul, Gambhira, Brita, Santhali, Dhunuchi
- Classical and Folk Dances of India
Dances of Union Territories
- Jammu & Kashmir = Rauf, Kud, Hikat, Dumhal, Hafiza
- Ladakh = Shondol (Royal dance of Ladakh), Jabro, Spao (Sword dance)
- Delhi = Blends modern and classical traditions, street street-play theater (Nukkad Natak)
- Chandigarh = Shares Punjab and Haryana folk forms (Bhangra, Giddha, Dhamal)
- Puducherry = Garadi (traditionally performed enacting the Ramayana battle)
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands = Nicobari tribal dance (performed during the Ossuary feast)
- Lakshadweep = Lava, Kolkali, Parichakali
- Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu = Tarpa dance, Mando, Verdigao
- Classical and Folk Dances of India
Most Important for TNPSC / UPSC
- Tamil Nadu → Bharatanatyam
- Andhra Pradesh → Kuchipudi
- Kerala → Kathakali, Mohiniyattam
- Odisha → Odissi
- Assam → Sattriya
- Manipur → Manipuri
- Uttar Pradesh → Kathak
- Punjab → Bhangra, Giddha
- Gujarat → Garba, Dandiya
- Rajasthan → Ghoomar, Kalbelia
- Maharashtra → Lavani
- Himachal Pradesh → Nati
- Mizoram → Cheraw
- Tripura → Hojagiri
- Karnataka → Yakshagana
- Chhattisgarh → Panthi
- Jharkhand/Odisha/West Bengal → Chhau
- Classical and Folk Dances of India
TNPSC-style practice questions
- Which state is associated with the Cheraw dance?
→ Mizoram - Hojagiri is the traditional dance of which state?
→ Tripura - Wangala is associated with which tribal community?
→ Garo - Perini Shivatandavam flourished under which dynasty?
→ Kakatiyas - Which dance is associated with the Satnami community?
→ Panthi - Mayurbhanj Chhau belongs to which state?
→ Odisha - Seraikella Chhau belongs to which state?
→ Jharkhand - Purulia Chhau belongs to which state?
→ West Bengal - Bagurumba is associated with which community?
→ Bodo - Dollu Kunitha is associated with which state?
→ Karnataka - Which Tamil Nadu dance is associated with Murugan worship?
→ Kavadi Attam - Which Tamil folk dance involves balancing a pot on the head?
→ Karagattam - Which dance is known as the Bamboo Dance?
→ Cheraw - Which dance is known as the Snow Lion Dance?
→ Singhi Chham - Which dance is associated with the 100 Drums Festival?
→ Wangala - Which dance is traditionally associated with the Koli fishing community?
→ Koli dance - Which dance is associated with the Kuruba community?
→ Dollu Kunitha - Which dance is associated with Baisakhi?
→ Bhangra - Which dance is strongly associated with Navratri?
→ Garba / Dandiya Raas - Which classical dance originated in Assam’s Vaishnavite monasteries (Sattras)?
→ Sattriya - Classical and Folk Dances of India