Mussoll
Samayi Nrutya
Gujarat
![Folk dance Timli Performed by Adivasi children of Tejgadh tribe academy](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Folk_dance_Timli_Performed_by_Adivasi_children_of_Tejgadh_tribe_academy.jpg)
*
Dandiya Raas
Raas or Dandiya Raas is the socio-religious folk dance originating from Indian state of Gujarat and popularly performed in the festival of Navaratri. The dance is performed in the Marwar region of Rajasthan too. The etymology of Dandiya-Raas ...
is an energetic, vibrant dance which originated in
Gujarat
Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...
. Often called the "stick dance" because it uses polished sticks ''(dandiya)'', it represents a mock fight between the goddess
Durga
Durga ( sa, दुर्गा, ) is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars.
Durga's legend centres around c ...
and the demon king
Mahishasura
Mahishasura is a bovine asura in Hinduism. He is depicted in literature to be a deceitful demon who pursued his evil ways by shape-shifting. Mahishasura was the son of Mahisi (Buffalo) and the great-grandson of Brahmarshi Kashyapa. He was ultima ...
. It is nicknamed "the sword dance" because the ''dandiya'' represent Durga's swords and are struck together.
The combination of garba and raas has become popular at the collegiate level in the United States, and garba-raas competitions are increasing in number. Popular competitions include Dandia Dhamaka, Raas Chaos, Garba With Attitude, Dandia on Fire, and Maryland Masti.
*
Garba is customarily performed by both sexes, and sometimes includes the stick dance. With circular movements and rhythmic clapping, it is often performed during
Navratri
Navaratri is an annual Hindu festival observed in the honour of the goddess Durga. It spans over nine nights (and ten days), first in the month of Chaitra (March/April of the Gregorian calendar), and again in the month of Sharada. It is o ...
. Its name comes from ''garbha deep'', which means "light in the inner temple" or "lamp in a perforated earthen pot" (often used in the dance).
*The
Tippani dance originated in the Chorwad region of
Saurashtra. Working women take a wooden rod (sometimes tipped with iron at one end) and beat the floor with it.
*The
Padhar dance is performed by the
Padhar community.
Himachal Pradesh
Nati is the traditional dance of
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh (; ; "Snow-laden Mountain Province") is a state in the northern part of India. Situated in the Western Himalayas, it is one of the thirteen mountain states and is characterized by an extreme landscape featuring several peaks ...
's
Sirmaur,
Kullu
Kullu is a municipal council town that serves as the administrative headquarters of the Kullu district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the Beas River in the Kullu Valley about north of the airport at Bh ...
and
Shimla district
Shimla is a district in the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India. Its headquarters is the state capital of Shimla. Neighbouring districts are Mandi and Kullu in the north, Kinnaur in the east, Uttarakhand in the southeast, Solan to the ...
s. The dance is listed in ''
Guinness World Records
''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a reference book published annually, listing world ...
'' as having "the greatest number of people attending and participating in a Nati dance lesson at a single venue".
Haryana
Dances in
Haryana
Haryana (; ) is an Indian state located in the northern part of the country. It was carved out of the former state of East Punjab on 1 Nov 1966 on a linguistic basis. It is ranked 21st in terms of area, with less than 1.4% () of India's land a ...
include:
[Sachchidananda'' Encyclopaedic Profile of Indian Tribes'' Volume 1 - 1996 817141298X p416.]
* Theatrical
**
Saang: Pioneering artists were
Baje Bhagat,
Dayachand Mayna
Dayachand Mayna was a poet of Haryanvi language. He is one of the important poets and folklore artists Haryana had ever produced. He was born on 10 March 1915, in a Valmiki caste family in Mayna village of Rohtak district of Haryana (erstwhile ...
and
Lakhmi Chand
Dada Lakhmi Chand, also known as Pandit Lakhmi Chand, was an Indian poet of Haryanvi language. He was given the title of 'Pandit'. He was also known as the Kalidas of Haryana. He has been accorded the honor of the 'Surya Har' of Haryanvi mus ...
.
**
Ragini
* Devotional
**
Chaupaiya (in verse)
** Raslila
**
Ragini
* Seasonal
**
Gogaji
Gogaji (also known as Goga, Jahar Veer Gogga, Gugga, Gugga Pir, Gugga Jaharpir, Gugga Chohan, Gugga Rana, Gugga Bir and Raja Mandlik) is a folk deity, worshipped in the northern states of India especially in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Har ...
and
Gugga
Gogaji (also known as Goga, Jahar Veer Gogga, Gugga, Gugga Pir, Gugga Jaharpir, Gugga Chohan, Gugga Rana, Gugga Bir and Raja Mandlik) is a folk deity, worshipped in the northern states of India especially in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Har ...
**
Phaag,
**
Sawan
Sāwaṇ or Sāuṇ ( pa, ਸਾਵਣ, ਸਾਉਣ, ) is the fifth month in the Nanakshahi calendar. Many Indian calendars started in different eras such as Shaka Calendar (national calendar of India) traditional Vikrama as well as the Nanak ...
**
Teej
Teej ( ne, तीज, Tīja, translit-std=ISO) is the generic name for a number of Hindu festivals that are celebrated by women and girls. and welcome the monsoon season and are celebrated primarily by girls and women, with singing, dancing, ...
* Legendary courage
**
Kissa
* Love and romance
**
Been (including its variant
Nāginī dance)
* Ceremonial
**
Dhamal dance
**
Ghoomar
Ghoomar or ghumar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan. It was the Bhil tribe who performed it to worship Goddess Sarasvati which was later embraced by other Rajasthani communities. The dance is chiefly performed by veiled women who wear fl ...
**
Jhoomar
** Khoria dance
** Loor dance
**
horia Horia or ''Horea'' may refer to:
Places in Romania Communes
*Horea, Alba
*Horia, Constanța
* Horia, Neamț
*Horia, Tulcea
* Hilișeu-Horia, Botoșani Villages
*Horea, in Sanislău, Satu Mare
*Horia, in Vladimirescu, Arad
*Horia, in Surdila-Greci, ...
Karnataka
*
Veeragase is performed by women. Based on Hindu mythology, it is performed during festivals primarily during the Hindu months of
Shravana
Shravana is the 22nd '' nakshatra'' (Devanagari नक्षत्र) or ''lunar mansion'' as used in Hindu astronomy, Hindu calendar and Hindu astrology. It belongs to the constellation Makara (Devanagari: मकर), a legendary sea creature ...
and
Karthika.
*
Hulivesha
Pili Vesha in ('' Tulu'': ಪಿಲಿ ಏಸ) "Tiger Masque" is a folk dance unique in coastal Karnataka. Pilivēṣa is performed during Navratri to honour the Goddess Durga whose favoured animal is the tiger. Which is called mārnemi. Mangal ...
is performed by men in the coastal region. The dancers are painted like tigers and perform like angry tigers.
*
Kangilu, Mandal community spiritual dance.
*
Yakshgana
Yakshagaana is a traditional theatre, developed in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and western parts of Chikmagalur districts, in the state of Karnataka and in Kasaragod district in Kerala that combines dance, music, dialogue, ...
, the state dance, has a number of forms which vary from region to region.
*
Dollu Kunitha is a drum dance.
*
Kolata
*
Bharatnatyam
Bharatanatyam () is a major form of Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the eight widely recognized Indian classical dance forms, and expresses South Indian religious themes and spiritual ideas, particularly of ...
is performed in the Mysuru region.
*
Kamsale
Kamsale ( kn, ಕಂಸಾಳೆ) is a unique folk art performed by the devotees of God Mahadeshwara. Kamsale is a brass made musical instrument. Its origin is traced to the Mythological period.
Instrument and group
Kamsale is a rhythm instr ...
, performed by devotees of
Male Madeshwara on pilgrimages to the
Biligiriranga Hills
The Biligirirangana Hills or Biligirirangan Hills (as referred to in biology and geology) is a hill range situated in south-western Karnataka, at its border with Tamil Nadu (Erode District) in South India. The area is called Biligiri Ranganatha ...
, is popular throughout the state.
*
Lavani is performed in the northern border regions.
*
Buta Kola
Būta Kōlā,/buːt̪ʌ/ is the local pronunciation while the standardised Kannada pronunciation is /bʱuːt̪ʌ koːlɑː/ also referred to as daiva kōlā or nēmā, is a ritual dance performance prevalent among the Hindus of Tulu Nadu an ...
(spirit worship) is usually practiced at night.
Jammu and Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir region is blessed with natural and cultural beauty. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has many folk dances performed on different occasions.
The main folk dance performed in the Jammu region are- Kud Dance, Chajja Dance, Crow Dance, Dogri Bhangra etc.
Dumhal is a ceremonial dance performed by men of the
Wattal tribe. Dancers wear long, colourful robes and tall, conical caps studded with beads and shells. They move in a procession, carrying a banner. The banner is buried and the men dance, forming a circle, accompanied by singing and a drum.
Jharkhand
*
Jhumar
Jhumar or Jhoomar (also called Ghumbar in Sandalbar area) is a lively form of music and dance that originated in the Multan and Balochistan, also thrived in Sandalbar areas (Faisal abad, Jhang, Chiniot, Nankana Sahib, Toba Tek Singh districts) ...
is a popular dance, performed during the harvest season and its festival.
*
Mardani Jhumar, a
Nagpuri dance, is primarily performed by men.
*
Janani Jhumar
Janani Jhumar also Janani Jhumair is a Nagpuri folk dance of the Chota Nagpur Plateau region of Jharkhand. It is a women centric dance. The music of instruments used, such as mandar, dhol and bansi. The women hold each others hand, form a linear ...
is a Nagpuri dance mainly performed by women.
*
Domkach
Domkach or Damkach is a folk dance of Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand. In Bihar, Domkach dance is performed in Mithila and Bhojpur regions. In Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh (; , 'Northern Province') is a state in northern India. Wi ...
is a dance performed during a marriage ceremony by the bride and groom's family.
*Fagua is performed during the festival of
Holi
Holi (), also known as the Festival of Colours, the Festival of Spring, and the Festival of Love,The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) p. 874 "Holi /'həʊli:/ noun a Hindu spring festival ...". is an ancient Hindu religious festival ...
.
*
Paiki is a nagpuri martial dance.
*
Chhau dance
Chhau dance, also spelled Chhou dance, is a semi classical Indian dance with martial and folk traditions. It is found in three styles named after the location where they are performed, i.e. the ''Purulia Chhau'' of West Bengal, the ''Seraikell ...
is a semi-classical Indian dance with folk traditions which originated in the eastern states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. It has three styles, named for the locations where they are performed: Purulia Chau in Bengal, Seraikella Chau in Jharkhand, and Mayurbhanj Chau in Odisha.
*
Firkal is a martial dance, performed in some parts of Jharkhand and Odisha.
Kerala
![Thirayattam (Karumakan Vallattu)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/Thirayattam_%28Karumakan_Vallattu%29.JPG)
*
Duffmuttu
Duffmuttu (also: Dubhmuttu) is an art form prevalent in the Malabar region of the states of Kerala and Karnataka in south India. It derives its name from the daf, duff, a percussion instrument made of wood and ox skin. The word duff is of Arabi ...
is performed by the Muslim community. Originated by the
Arabs
The Arabs (singular: Arab; singular ar, عَرَبِيٌّ, DIN 31635: , , plural ar, عَرَب, DIN 31635: , Arabic pronunciation: ), also known as the Arab people, are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in Western Asia, ...
, it is accompanied by Arabic music. The name ''Duffmuttu'' is attributed to a drum known as a ''daff'' or ''tap''.
*
Margamkali
Margamkali (Malayalam:മാർഗ്ഗംകളി ) is an ancient Indian round dance of the St. Thomas Christians community- based in Kerala state, mainly practiced by the endogamous sub-sect known as the Knanaya or Southist Christians. The ...
is performed by the state's Syrian Christians, primarily by women during marriage ceremonies.
*
Oppana
Oppana ( ml, ഒപ്പന) is a popular form of social entertainment among the Mappila (Kerala Muslims) community of Kerala, South India, prevalent throughout Kerala, especially in Malabar. The Term Oppana is believed to be originated from the ...
, another Muslim dance, is usually a bridal group dance performed the day before the wedding and is particularly popular on the
Malabar Coast
The Malabar Coast is the southwestern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Geographically, it comprises the wettest regions of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon rains, especially on their westward-facing m ...
. Young female relatives of the bride sing and dance around her, clapping their hands.
*
Theyyam
Theyyam (/ t̪eːjjəm/; romanised: ''teyyam'') are Hindu ritualistic dance forms practiced in northern Kerala and some parts of Karnataka. Theyyam is also known as Kaḷiyāṭṭaṁ or Tiṟa. Theyyam consists of traditions, rituals and c ...
is a form of ritual dance worship. ''Theyyam'' is derived from the Malayalam ''Daivam'' (god), and the dance is part of ritual, music, painting, sculpture, and literature. It is performed to worship the goddess Kali, often by men from the
scheduled castes and tribes
The Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are officially designated groups of people and among the most disadvantaged socio-economic groups in India. The terms are recognized in the Constitution of India and the groups are designa ...
who have inherited the right to perform it.
*
Thirayattam, performed in northern Kerala, is part of theatre, music, satire, face and body painting, masking, martial art, and ritual. It is performed in
South Malabar
South Malabar refers to a geographical area of the southwestern coast of India covering some parts of the present-day Kerala. South Malabar covers the regions included in present-day Kozhikode taluk of Kozhikode district, the whole area of Malap ...
's ''kaavukal'' (sacred groves) and village shrines.
*
Thitambu Nritham
Thidambu Nritham (dance with the replica of the deity) is a Hindu ritual dance performed in Temples of North Malabar in India. It is mainly performed by Namboothiris and rarely other Brahmin, Thiyyar communities like Shivalli, Karhade and Havya ...
is primarily performed by the
Nambudiri
The Nambudiri (), also transliterated as Nampoothiri, Nambūdiri, Namboodiri, Nampoothiri, and Nampūtiri, are a Malayali Brahmin caste, native to what is now the state of Kerala, India, where they constituted part of the traditional feudal el ...
s of northern Kerala.
*
Ottan Thullal
Ottan Thullal (or ''Ottamthullal'', Malayalam: ഓട്ടൻ തുള്ളൽ) is a recite-and-dance art-form of Kerala, India. It was introduced in the eighteenth century by Kunchan Nambiar, one of the Prachina Kavithrayam (three famous Ma ...
("to jump about playfully") emerged during the 18th century and is a solo performance combining dance and recitation of tales from the
Puranas in verse.
*
Padayani
Padayani, also known Padeni (from the Malayalam word for military formations), is a traditional folk dance and a ritual art from the central portion of the Indian state of Kerala. A ceremonial dance involving masks, it is an ancient ritual per ...
is a ritual theatre art form associated with Goddess temples in Kerala's Central Travancore region. The Padayani rituals are performed at night in the temple premises to appease Goddess Bhadrakali, whose fury has not abated since her victory over a mythical demon named Darikan. Each festival lasts seven to 28 days, depending on the number of villages participating and organizing it. In Malayalam, Padayani is composed of the words Pada and ani, which mean a group of soldiers and rows, respectively. It is believed that Padayani was performed by warriors trained in Kalaripayattu to frighten their enemies from the southern part of Travancore. As a result, this art form can be traced back to Kalaripayattu's rich martial art heritage.
Madhya Pradesh
![Jal Mahotsav Dance](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Jal_Mahotsav_Dance.jpg)
*
Grida dance
Grida Dance is performed in a few villages of India.
When the rabi crop
Rabi crops or
rabi harvest, also known as winter crops, are agricultural crops that are sown in winter and harvested in the spring in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The ...
- Performed when the
rabi crop
Rabi crops or
rabi harvest, also known as winter crops, are agricultural crops that are sown in winter and harvested in the spring in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The complimentary of the rabi crop is the kharif crop, which is grown after t ...
s are in bloom, the dance continues from morning to evening by village groups. It has three phases:
** Sela – Slow, stiff foot movements
** Selalarki – The foot movements become faster.
** Selabhadoni – As the tempo accelerates, hands and legs move vigorously.
* The
Matki dance is performed in the
Malwa
Malwa is a historical region of west-central India occupying a plateau of volcanic origin. Geologically, the Malwa Plateau generally refers to the volcanic upland north of the Vindhya Range. Politically and administratively, it is also syn ...
region, primarily for weddings. A veiled woman performs the dance with an earthen pot (''matki'') balanced on her head, sometimes joined by other women. Variations are the
Aada and
Khada Nach.
*The
Phulpati dance
Phulpati dance is performed in Malwa region of India. This dance is performed by unmarried girls. It is performed on the occasion of Holi
Holi (), also known as the Festival of Colours, the Festival of Spring, and the Festival of Love,The ...
is performed by semi-rural, unmarried women in celebration of nature.
*
Tertali is a ritual dance performed by the
Kamar tribe. It is generally performed by two or three veiled women who sit on the ground, sometimes with small swords clenched in their teeth and an ornamental pot on their heads.
Manjira
The taal, manjira (also spelled manjīrā or manjeera), jalra, karatala, kartal or gini is a pair of clash cymbals, originating in the Indian subcontinent, which make high-pitched percussion sounds. In its simplest form, it consists of a pai ...
(small, metal cymbals) are tied to the bodyprimarily to the legsand the dancers rhythmically strike them with a hand-held cymbal, accompanied by drums and singing.
Maharashtra
*
Pavri Nach (or Tarpha Nach) is a
Kokna
Kokni, Kokna, Kukna is an Indian Adivasi tribal community found in Sahyadri-Satpura Ranges of Maharashtra (mostly residing in Nandurbar and Dhule districts - Sakri, Navapur talukas) and in Gujarat (mostly residing in Ahwa- Dang, Navsari and Val ...
tribal dance performed in the hills of north-western
Maharashtra, accompanied by the tarpha or pavri: a wind instrument made from a dried gourd.
*
Lavani is a combination of traditional song and dance which is performed to the
dholki
The ''dholak'' is a two-headed hand drum, a folk percussion instrument. The instrument is about 45 cm in length and 27 cm in breadth and is widely used in ''qawwali'', '' kirtan'', '' lavani'' and '' bhangra''. The drum has two differ ...
drum. Noted for its powerful rhythm and eroticism, Lavani has contributed to the development of Marathi folk theatre. In Maharashtra and southern Madhya Pradesh, it is performed by women wearing nine-yard-long saris.
The songs are sung at a quick tempo.
Nagaland
Chang Lo
Chang Lo dance is performed by Chang tribe of Nagaland
Nagaland () is a landlocked state in the northeastern region of India. It is bordered by the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh to the north, Assam to the west, Manipur to the south and ...
(also known as Sua Lua) is performed by the
Chang Naga
Chang is a Naga ethnic group of Nagaland, India. It is one of the recognized Scheduled Tribes.
The tribe was also known as Mazung in British India. Other Naga ethnic groups know the Changs by different names including ''Changhai'' ( Khiamniunga ...
of
Nagaland
Nagaland () is a landlocked state in the northeastern region of India. It is bordered by the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh to the north, Assam to the west, Manipur to the south and the Sagaing Region of Myanmar to the east. Its capital cit ...
, originally to celebrate victory in war. It is presently a part of community celebrations, such as Poanglem, a three-day festival preceding the harvest. Costumes include the traditional Naga warrior and female finery.
Odisha
Laudi Khela
Laudi Khela, traditionally performed by young
Gopal
Gopal may refer to:
* Gopal (caste), a social community of Odisha in India
* Gopal (Krishna), the infant/child form of Lord Krishna
* Gopal Bansa, ancient Kingdom in Nepal
* The Gopalas, an early Gaudiya Vaishnava institution
* Gandhian Organisatio ...
men during the Dola festival, has been waning in popularity.
Bagha Nacha
Bagha Nacha, a tiger dance, is performed during festivals. Male dancers paint their skin with yellow and black stripes, like a tiger, and attach a tail.
Ghumra
Ghumra dance, originally performed during wars to encourage soldiers, is accompanied by a drum and is popular in
Kalahandi district
Kalahandi (locally pronounced ''Kalahani'') is a district of Odisha in India. Archaeological evidence of Stone Age and Iron Age human settlement has been recovered from the region. Asurgarh offered an advanced, well civilised, cultured and ur ...
.
Karma dance
The
Sambalpuri karma dance is performed during the harvest festival of
Karma
Karma (; sa, कर्म}, ; pi, kamma, italic=yes) in Sanskrit means an action, work, or deed, and its effect or consequences. In Indian religions, the term more specifically refers to a principle of cause and effect, often descriptivel ...
in the month of
Bhadra
''Bhadra''Feminine: sa, भद्रा, Bhadrā is a Sanskrit word meaning 'good', 'fortune' or 'auspicious'. It is also the name of many men, women and objects in Hindu mythology.
Male Figures King of Chedi
Bhadra was a king of Chedi Kingdom ...
.
Jhumar
Jhumar
Jhumar or Jhoomar (also called Ghumbar in Sandalbar area) is a lively form of music and dance that originated in the Multan and Balochistan, also thrived in Sandalbar areas (Faisal abad, Jhang, Chiniot, Nankana Sahib, Toba Tek Singh districts) ...
is performed in northern and western Odisha during festivals and the harvest season.
Keisabadi
Keisabadi, performed by men, is based on the story of
Radha and
Krishna
Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...
and accompanied by singing in
Sambalpuri.
Puducherry
Garadi, a well-known dance in
Puducherry Puducherry or Pondicherry may refer to:
* Puducherry (union territory), a union territory of India
** Pondicherry, capital of the union territory of Puducherry
** Puducherry district, a district of the union territory of Puducherry
** Puducherry t ...
, is performed at festivals. Its origin is a product of mythology; when
Rama
Rama (; ), Ram, Raman or Ramar, also known as Ramachandra (; , ), is a major deity in Hinduism. He is the seventh and one of the most popular '' avatars'' of Vishnu. In Rama-centric traditions of Hinduism, he is considered the Supreme Bein ...
(hero of the epic ''
Ramayana
The ''Rāmāyana'' (; sa, रामायणम्, ) is a Sanskrit literature, Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epic composed over a period of nearly a millennium, with scholars' estimates for the earliest stage of the text ranging from the 8th ...
'') defeated
Ravana
Ravana (; , , ) is a rakshasa king of the island of Lanka, and the chief antagonist of the Hindu epic ''Ramayana'' and its adaptations.
In the ''Ramayana'', Ravana is described to be the eldest son of sage Vishrava and rakshasi Kaikesi. ...
, the ''vanars'' (monkeys) danced to celebrate his victory. Garadi is usually performed for five to eight hours. Dancers wear ''vanar'' masks, carry sticks and wear ten chiming ''anjali'' (iron rings) as they dance, accompanied by singing and two large ''ramadolu'' drums.
Punjab
Bhangra
Bhangra is one of
Punjab's most popular dances, and has become part of Asian culture. Originally associated with
Sikh farmers celebrating the harvest and accompanied by a
dhol
Dhol (IPA: ) can refer to any one of a number of similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent. Its range of distribution in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan primarily includes nort ...
, bhangra is now danced at any celebration with a variety of instruments; a number of regional variations exist.
Giddha
Giddha, danced by women in colourful costumes, is derived from ring dancing and includes the singing of
couplets (known as
bolliyan) in
Punjabi.
Malwai Giddha is danced by men in
Malwa
Malwa is a historical region of west-central India occupying a plateau of volcanic origin. Geologically, the Malwa Plateau generally refers to the volcanic upland north of the Vindhya Range. Politically and administratively, it is also syn ...
.
Kikkli
Kikkli is performed by two colourfully-dressed girls who hold crossed hands and twirl each other in a circle (balancing their positions), accompanied by folk songs.
Rajasthan
GHOOMAR DANCE
Ghoomar
Ghoomar or ghumar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan. It was the Bhil tribe who performed it to worship Goddess Sarasvati which was later embraced by other Rajasthani communities. The dance is chiefly performed by veiled women who wear fl ...
is a traditional women's dance in
Rajasthan
Rajasthan (; lit. 'Land of Kings') is a state in northern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population. It is on India's northwestern s ...
and
Haryana
Haryana (; ) is an Indian state located in the northern part of the country. It was carved out of the former state of East Punjab on 1 Nov 1966 on a linguistic basis. It is ranked 21st in terms of area, with less than 1.4% () of India's land a ...
. It is performed by groups of women in swirling skirts, accompanied by men and women singing. The dance gets its name from ''ghoomna'', the spinning which displays the colourful, flowing ''ghaghara'' (the long Rajasthani skirt).
Kalbelia
The
Kalbelia dance is performed by women in black, swirling skirts (as snakes), accompanied by male
snake charmers playing
beens and other instruments. The
Kalbelia
The Kalbelia are a snake charming tribe from the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India. The dance is an integral part of their culture and performed by men and women.
Kalbelia tribe
Kalbelias are followers of Sage Kanifnath, who drank a bowl of poi ...
folk songs and dances were added to
UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.
Kachchhi Ghodi
The
Kachchhi Ghodi dance is primarily performed in the
Shekhawati
Shekhawati is a semi-arid historical region located in the northeast part of Rajasthan, India. The region was ruled by Shekhawat Rajputs.
Shekhawati is located in North Rajasthan, comprising the districts of Jhunjhunu,
parts of Sikar that lie ...
region of north-eastern
Rajasthan
Rajasthan (; lit. 'Land of Kings') is a state in northern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population. It is on India's northwestern s ...
. The costumed horse and bandit dancers have mock fights while a singer narrates tales of local bandits. It is performed during weddings and other social occasions.
Sikkim
Maruni
''Maruni'' is a Nepalese folk dance of the Magar community. Alongside Nepal, it is popular in Nepalese diasporic communities of India (Darjeeling, Assam, Sikkim), Bhutan and Myanmar. It is one of the oldest and most famous dance of the Nepalese c ...
, also popular in
Nepal
Nepal (; ne, :ne:नेपाल, नेपाल ), formerly the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne,
सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in S ...
,
Darjeeling
Darjeeling (, , ) is a town and municipality in the northernmost region of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, it has an average elevation of . To the west of Darjeeling lies the easternmost province of Nepal ...
,
Assam
Assam (; ) is a state in northeastern India, south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. Assam covers an area of . The state is bordered by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland and Manipur ...
,
Bhutan
Bhutan (; dz, འབྲུག་ཡུལ་, Druk Yul ), officially the Kingdom of Bhutan,), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is situated in the Eastern Himalayas, between China in the north and India in the south. A mountainou ...
and
Myanmar
Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John Wells explai ...
, is accompanied by musicians playing the
Naumati Baja.
Tamil Nadu
Parai Attam or Thappattam
![Parai attam](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Parai_attam.jpg)
''
Parai Attam
Parai Attam is a special type of dance in Tamil culture
Tamil culture is the culture of the Tamil people. Tamil culture is rooted in the arts and ways of life of Tamils in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and across the globe. Tamil cul ...
'' is a
Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
* Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia
**Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils
**Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia
* Tamil language, nativ ...
dance which is accompanied by a
parai
The parai is a traditional Tamil frame drum about 35 centimeters in diameter, used in the parai attam dance. It consists of a shallow ring of wood, covered on one side with a stretched cow hide that is glued to the wooden frame. The preferred ...
drum.
Kummi
Kummi
Kummi is a folk dance, popular in Tamil Nadu and Kerala in India, danced mostly by Tamil women in circle. Dancing may be different. In some places, it is very simple, with rhythmic clapping or beating of the drums. In other places dancers imi ...
, one of
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a state in southern India. It is the tenth largest Indian state by area and the sixth largest by population. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu is the home of the Tamil people, whose Tamil language ...
's oldest folk dances, is accompanied by hand-clapping rather than musical instruments. Women form a circle and dance; one sings, with the other dancers taking turns. A number of varieties exist. Kummi is danced at festivals and other special occasions.
Karakattam
Karakattam
''Karakaattam'' ( ta, கரகாட்டம் or "''karakam'' ( 'water pot') dance") is an ancient folk dance of Tamil Nadu performed in praise of the rain goddess Mariamman. The ancient Tamil epic says that this type of dance derived from B ...
is danced to praise
Mariamman, the Hindu rain goddess. Dancers balance pots of water on their heads. There are two types of Karakattam. Aatta Karagam is danced with decorated pots on the dancers' heads and symbolises joy and happiness; Sakthi Karagam is danced in temples to praise Mariamman. Drums, singing and pipe instruments accompany the dancers.
Mayilattam
Mayilattam
Mayilattam ( Tamil: மயிலாட்டம்) is an artistic and religious form of dance performed in the Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu in reverence to Lord Subrahmanya.
Mayilattam performers wear costumes from head to toe like peacock wi ...
, or the peacock dance, is performed by girls dressed as peacocks at village festivals. Similar dances are Kaalai Attam (bull dance), Karadi Attam (bear dance), and Aali Aattam (demon dance) which are performed in the villages during village get-togethers. Vedala Aattam is danced in a demon mask.
Snake dance
Snakes are viewed as protectors. The snake dance is performed by girls dressed in a costume designed like a snake-skin. The dancers move like a snake, making quick biting movements with their head and hands; raised hands, held together, resemble the head of a snake.
Oyilattam
Although
Oyilattam (dance of beauty) was traditionally performed by men, women have also begun dancing. Participants wearing ankle bells dance in a row, with musical accompaniment; the row lengthens as dancers join in. Oyilattam is most popular in the southern districts and the
Kongu Nadu region, and the dance has a variety of styles.
Puliyattam
Puliyattam
Puliyattam (means Tiger Dance) is an old folk art dance of Tamil Nadu. A highly exuberant and cultural festival, this dance form usually comprises a troupe of 6 performers aping the movements of the majestic, predatory tigers. Their bodies are ...
is a tiger dance in which young men paint their bodies and costume themselves as tigers, dancing to drums. The dancers sometimes pretend to capture a goat. A popular dance, Puliyattam is performed during temple festivals.
Poikal Kudirai Attam
Poikal attam is known as the false-leg dance. Dancers are attached to a dummy horse at the waist, with the dancer's two legs and their body prop resembling a rider on a horse. The dance illustrates stories from popular folklore.
Bommalattam
Bommalattams (puppet shows) are held in every village during festivals and fairs. Many kinds of puppets (such as cloth, wood, and leather), and they are manipulated with strings or wires. The puppeteers stand behind a screen, and the puppets are in front; the stories are from the puranas, epics, and folklore.
Theru Koothu
Theru Koothu is normally performed by men in an intersection during village festivals in the months of
Panguni and Aadi. The performance consists of story-telling, dialogues, songs, and dance. Its stories are taken from the puranas, epics such as the ''Ramayana'' and the ''Mahabharata'', and local folklore. The play begins in the late evening, and lasts for several hours. Theru Koothu is popular in northern Tamil Nadu.
Telangana
Perini Shivatandavam
Perini Sivathandavam (Perini Śivathandavam) or Perini Thandavam is an ancient dance form, from Telangana, which has been revived in recent times. It originated and prospered in Telangana, during the Kakatiya dynasty.
Perini is performed in honou ...
or Perini Thandavam is an ancient dance form which has been recently revived.
Tripura
Hojagiri
Hojagiri is a folk dance, performed in the state of Tripura, India by *Tripuri people
The Tripuri (also known as Tripura, Tipra, Tiprasa, Twipra) are an ethnic group originating in the Indian state of Tripura. They are the inhabitants of ...
is danced by the Tripuri reang(Bru) clan in
Tripura
Tripura (, Bengali: ) is a state in Northeast India. The third-smallest state in the country, it covers ; and the seventh-least populous state with a population of 36.71 lakh ( 3.67 million). It is bordered by Assam and Mizoram to the ea ...
. Four to eight women dance acrobatically, while men provide most of the music; the women sing in chorus. The dancers twist and turn, sometimes dancing on an earthen pitcher or balancing a bottle on their heads with a lighted lamp on it.
Sangraing Dance is dance by the Mog community clan in
Tripura
Tripura (, Bengali: ) is a state in Northeast India. The third-smallest state in the country, it covers ; and the seventh-least populous state with a population of 36.71 lakh ( 3.67 million). It is bordered by Assam and Mizoram to the ea ...
. many boys and girls dance together and signging together.
Uttar Pradesh
The
Raslila, danced in
North India
North India is a loosely defined region consisting of the northern part of India. The dominant geographical features of North India are the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the Himalayas, which demarcate the region from the Tibetan Plateau and Central ...
(primarily
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh (; , 'Northern Province') is a state in northern India. With over 200 million inhabitants, it is the most populated state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It was established in 1950 ...
), is based on the life of
Krishna
Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...
. Individuals and groups dance, accompanied by singing, chants and instruments. The audience claps and sings along, and the length of each performance varies.
West Bengal
*
Gambhira originated among the Hindu community of
Malda, West Bengal
Malda or English Bazar is a city in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the sixth largest city (urban agglomeration) in West Bengal. It is the headquarters of the Malda district as well as of the Malda division of West Bengal. It consists o ...
. After the
partition of India,
Chapai Nawabganj District
Chapainawabganj (Bengali: চাঁপাইনবাবগঞ্জ) is located in the north-western part of Bangladesh. It is a part of the Rajshahi Division, and was formerly a sub-division of Malda district. The north and west part of Chap ...
in
Rajshahi
Rajshahi ( bn, রাজশাহী, ) is a metropolitan city and a major urban, commercial and educational centre of Bangladesh. It is also the administrative seat of the eponymous division and district. Located on the north bank of the P ...
became its centre. Gambhira has undergone many changes in terms of the theme and style of its presentation.
Muslims
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
also became custodians of the dance, which became an integral part of their culture. Gambhira's themes include contemporary social problems and human weakness.
*
Bengal
Bengal ( ; bn, বাংলা/বঙ্গ, translit=Bānglā/Bôngô, ) is a geopolitical, cultural and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal, predom ...
, especially in Rajshahi,
Murshidabad
Murshidabad fa, مرشد آباد (, or ) is a historical city in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located on the eastern bank of the Bhagirathi River, a distributary of the Ganges. It forms part of the Murshidabad district.
Durin ...
and
Malda district
Malda district, also spelt Maldah or Maldaha (, , often ), is a district in West Bengal, India. It lies 347 km (215 miles) north of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. Mango, jute and silk are the most notable products of this district. T ...
and
Jharkhand
Jharkhand (; ; ) is a state in eastern India. The state shares its border with the states of West Bengal to the east, Chhattisgarh to the west, Uttar Pradesh to the northwest, Bihar to the north and Odisha to the south. It has an area of . I ...
's
Rajmahal
Rajmahal is a subdivisional town and a notified area in Rajmahal subdivision of the Sahebganj district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. It is situated at the banks of Ganges and was former capital of Bengal Subah under Mughal governor, Man Sin ...
hills. The song-and-dance performance is associated with the mid-April
Gajan Shiva
Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
festival. The largely-improvised performances, presented on an open stage late at night under lantern light, feature ribald humour and audience participation. Each Alkap group consists of ten to twelve performers led by a ''sorkar'' (master). It includes two or three young male ''chhokras'', one or two ''gayen'' (singers).
*
Domni, performed in
Malda district
Malda district, also spelt Maldah or Maldaha (, , often ), is a district in West Bengal, India. It lies 347 km (215 miles) north of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. Mango, jute and silk are the most notable products of this district. T ...
, begins with prayers. Its dances are known as ''nachari'' or ''lachari''. The plays are extracts from small events of everyday life, presented satirically. Due to social changes, domni is waning in popularity.
*''
Dhunuchi nritya'' is danced during the
Durga Puja
Durga Puja ( bn, দুর্গা পূজা), also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is an annual Hindu festival originating in the Indian subcontinent which reveres and pays homage to the Hindu goddess Durga and is also celebrated ...
at
Dussehra
Vijayadashami ( sa, विजयदशमी, Vijayadaśamī, translit-std=IAST), also known as Dussehra, Dasara or Dashain, is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navaratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu ...
. Women and men wear traditional Bengali dress and dance with a mud pot filled with burnt coconut shavings in praise of
Durga
Durga ( sa, दुर्गा, ) is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars.
Durga's legend centres around c ...
.
State Wise List Of Indian Folk Dance
See also
*
Dance in India
Dance in India comprises numerous styles of dances, generally classified as classical or folk. As with other aspects of Indian culture, different forms of dances originated in different parts of India, developed according to the local trad ...
*
Folk dances of Sourashtra
The Sourashtra people, an ethno-linguistic Hindu community of South India, have a number of folk dances which are performed on various occasions. These include the Gebbi or Gebbel, the Konangi, and the Dandi natana (kolane).
Gebbi
The Gebbi (D ...
*
List of Indian classical dance and music events
Indian classical dance is an umbrella term for various codified art forms rooted in Natya, the sacred Hindu musical theatre styles, whose theory can be traced back to the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni (400 BC). Various classical dance events ...
*
Indian classical dance
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Indian Folk Dances, List Of
Indian culture-related lists
India dance-related lists