SSC MTS Exam

S t u d y M a t e r i a l f o r Genral Awareness
 DANCE FORMS IN INDIA
The 2 major dance forms in India are classical and folk dance. The major difference between
Classical and Folk dance is the origin. Classical dance has a deep-rooted relationship with the Natya
Shastra where the specific features of each of the Classical dance forms have been mentioned. Folk
dance, on the other hand, emerged from the local tradition of the respective state, ethnic or
geographic regions.
Classical Dance in India
Sangeet Natak Academy (India’s National Academy) recognizes only eight classical dances of India,
however, the Ministry of Culture also considers Chhau Dance as a classical dance of India, making
the total number of classical dances in India as nine.
A few important points on Chhau Dance are as mentioned:
● The word ‘Chaya’ gives meaning to Chhau Dance. Chaya means shadow.
● As a mask dance, Chhau dance is denoted.
● Energetic martial art movements are basic feature of Chhau Dance.
● Serpent Dance, Peacock Dance are a few narrations used in Chhau Dance.
● There are three kinds of Chhau Dance:
o Saraikella – This Chhau Dance is famous in Jharkhand
o Mayurbhanj – This Chhau Dance is famous in Odisha
o Purulia – This Chhau Dance is famous in West Bengal
● Mayurbhanj Chhau Dance does not use masks.
● Chhau Dance was inscribed in the UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural
Heritage of Humanity.

The 8 basic technicalities that are expressed in the classical dance are given below:

1. Shringar: Love
2. Hasya: Humorous
3. Karuna: Sorrow
4. Raudra: Anger
5. Veer: Heroism
6. Bhayanak: Fear
7. Bibhats: Disgust
8. Adbhoot: Wonder

List of Classical dances in India State of Origin

Bharatnatyam Tamil Nadu
Kathak Uttar Pradesh
Kuchipudi Andhra Pradesh
Odissi Odisha
Kathakali Kerala
Sattriya Assam
Manipuri Manipur
Mohiniyattam Kerala
Bharatanatyam
● Bharatanatyam is a dance of Tamil Nadu in south India, which is earlier known as ‘daasi
attam’.
● Instruments used: Mridangam, flute, violin, veena, nattuvangam.
● Famous Bharatanatyam dancers: Mallika Sarabhai, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Alarmel Valli,
Padma Subrahmanyam, Rukmini Devi, Mrinalini sarabhai, Arun dale

Kathakali
● Kathakali is a dance of Kerala in south India.
● Instruments used: Chenda, madalam, chengila, idakka and shankhu
● Famous Kathakali dancers: Vazhenkada kunchu Nair, Kottakkal sivaraman, Kalamandalam
Gopi, Kalamandalam Nair, Kalamandalam Vasu Pisharody

Manipuri
● Manipuri is an important classical dance form that has originated from state of Manipur in
the north eastern part of India.
● Instruments used: Pung, cymbals
● Famous Manipuri dancers: Guru Bipin Singh, Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Darshana Jhaveri,
Sohini Ray

Odissi
● Odissi dance is the classical dance form of Odisha that has its origin in temples.
● Instruments used: Mardala, Harmonium, Flute, Sitar, Violin, Cymbals
● Famous Odissi dancers: Kelu Charan mahapatra, Padmashree Pankaj, Prasad Das,
Priyambada Hejmadi, Sanjukta panigrahi, Minati Mishra, Kumkum Mohanty, Oopalie
Oparajita, Sangeeta Das

Kathak
● A classical dance indigenous to northern India, Kathak has developed under the influence of
Hindu Muslim cultures.
● The origin of this dance form is attributed to the travelling storytellers or kathakars of
ancient India.
● Instruments used: Tabla, sarangi or harmonium with manjira
● Famous Kathak dancers: Shambhu Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Birju Maharaj, Roshan Kumari,
Saswati Sen, Rohini Bhate, Shovana Narayan

Kuchipudi
● Kuchipudi is the classical dance of Andhra Pradesh in south India.
● It originated in a village named Kuchipudi in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
● The dance is accompanied by song which is usually Carnatic music.
● Natya tarangini is a school for Kuchipudi.
● Instruments used: Mridangam, violin, flute, tambura
 ● Famous Kuchipudi dancers: Vempati Chinna satyam, Uma Rama sarma, Shobha Naidu,
Vyjayanthi kasha, Sreelakshmy Govardhanan

Mohiniyattam
● Mohiniyattam is a classical solo dance form of Kerala that gets its name from 'Mohini', the
celestial enchantress of the Hindu mythology.
● Instruments used: Mridangam or Madhalam, Idakka, flute, veena, kuzhitalam
● Famous Mohiniyattam dancers: Kalamandalam kalyanikutty Amma, kalamandalam
Hymavathy, Sunanda Nair, Gopika varma, Neena Prasad

Sattriya
● Sattriya is an Indian classical dance that has its origins in the Vaishnava monasteries(sattras)
of Assom.
● In 2000 the Sangeet Natak Academy recognized Sattriya as a classical dance.
● Instruments used: Khols,Talas, flute
● Famous Sattriya dancers: Ghanakanta Bora, Ananda mohan Bhagawati, Sharodi saikia,
Bhabananda Baryan, Jatin Goswami.

Folk Dances of India

Indian State Folk Dances

Vilasini Natyam, Andhra Natyam, Bhamakalpam, Veeranatyam, Dappu,
Andhra Pradesh Tappeta Gullu, Lambadi, Dhimsa, Kolattam, Butta
Bommalu
Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga
Assam
dance, Khel Gopal, Tabal Chongli, Canoe, Jhumura Hobjanai
Aji Lamu, Chalo, Hiirii Khaniing, Popir, Ponung, Pasi Kongki,
Arunachal Pradesh
Rekham Pada, Roppi
Bihar Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya, Sama Chakwa, Bidesia.
Gaur Maria, Panthi, Raut Nacha, Pandwani, Vedamati, Kapalik,
Chhattisgarh
Bharthari Charit, Chandaini
Goa Modni, Jhagor, Khol, Dakni,Shigmo,Ghode

Gujarat Garba, Dandiya Ras, Tippani Juriun, Bhavai.

Haryana Jhumar, Phag, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khor, Gagor.

Himachal Pradesh Jhora, Jhali, Chharhi, Dhaman, Chhapeli, Mahasu, Nati, Dangi

Jammu and Kashmir Rauf, Hikat, Mandjas, Kud Dandi Nach, Damali, Dumhal
 Bidesia, Danga, Karma,Sarahul,Sohrai,Alkap , Paika, Barao,
Jharkhand
Jhitka.
Karnataka Yakshagana, Huttari, Suggi, Kunitha, Karga, Lambi.

Kerala Ottam Thulal, Kaikottikali. Tappatikkali

Maharashtra Lavani, Nakata, Koli, Lezim, Gafa, Dahikala Dasavtar or Bohada.

Jawara, Matki, Aada, Khada Nach, Phulpati, Grida Dance,
Madhya Pradesh
Selalarki, Selabhadoni, Maanch.
Dol Cholam, Thang Ta, Lai Haraoba, Pung Cholom, Nat Rash,
Manipur
Rakhal ,Raukhat
Meghalaya Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Baala, Nongkrem, Laho.
Cheraw Dance, Khuallam, Chailam, Sawlakin, Chawnglaizawn,
Mizoram
Zangtalam, Par Lam, Tlanglam, Cherokan, Khanatm
Nagaland Chong, Khaiva, Lim Nuralim

Odisha Savari, Ghumara, Painka, Munari, Chhau.

West Bengal Kathi, Gambhira, Dhali, Jatra, Baul, Marasia, Mahal, Keertan

Punjab Bhangra, Giddha, Daff, Dhaman, Bhand, Naqual, Kikli, Jhoomar

Ghumar, Chakri, Ganagor, Jhulan Leela, Jhuma, Suisini, Ghapal,
Rajasthan
Kalbeliya
Singhi Chham, Chu Faat, Gayley-Yang Dance, Ghantu ,Kinchum –
Sikkim Chu – Bomsa, Maarooni Dance, Nyongri – Nyot ,Shelo, Sherpa Dance,
Tamang Selo ,Yak Chham
Tamil Nadu Kummi, Kolattam, Kavadi, Karagam
Bizu Dance, Cheraw, Dailo Nritya, Gajan, Galamuchamo, Garia Dance,
Tripura Hai Hak Dance, Hozagiri, Jhum Dance, Lebang
Boomani, Sangrai – Mog Dance, Wya Dance
Uttar Pradesh Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli, Jaita.

Uttarakhand Garhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Raslila, Chappeli

Lakshadweep Lava, Kolkali, Parichakali

Bihu
● The Bihu dance is a folk dance from the Indian State of Assam related to the festival of Bihu.
 ● There are three festivals in Bihu. Bhogali or Magh Bihu is celebrated in January, Rongali or
Bohag Bihu in April and Kongali or Kati Bihu in October.
● The most colorful and important one is the spring festival called Bohag Bihu which is
celebrated in the month of April.
● This Joyous dance is performed by both men and women.
● Dancers wear traditionally colourful Assamese clothing.

Bhangra
● The Bhangra is a folk dance from the Indian State of Punjab.
● Bhangra dance is conducted by Punjab farmers to celebrate the coming of the harvest
season.

Ghoomar
● Ghoomar is a traditional women’s folk dance from the Indian State of Rajasthan.
● It is traditionally performed during auspicious occasions, Diwali, Holi and on a bride's arrival
at her marital home.

Garba
● Garba is the popular form of folk dance from the Indian State of Gujarat. It is performed for
nine days during the festival of Navratri.

Kummi
● Kummi is the popular form of folk dance from the Indian State of Tamil Nadu.
● Kummi is performed by women. The women stand in a circle and clapping their hands
rhythmically

Dandiya Raas
● 'Dandiya Raas' is a folk dance performed during the time of Navratri, with its origins in
Gujarat

Bamboo Dance
● Bamboo dance is tribal dance of Nagaland. This dance is exclusively performed by girls

Kolattam
● Kolattam is a folk dance originated in Tamil Nadu. This dance form is popular throughout
India.
● Kolattam performed by young girls with little stick held in hand to celebrate the birthday of
God Rama.

Ootam Tullal
● Ootam Thullal is a folk dance of Kerala.
● Kunchan Nambiar introduced it in the 18th century.