Folk Dances in India

State Folk Dances

● Dhimsa, Lambadi ( Banjara tribe ), Kolannalu, Gobbi, Kolattam, Gusadi, Bonalu

Andhra Pradesh ● Veeranatyam, Vilasini Natyam ( exponent : Swapnasundari )
● Burra Katha, Butta Bommalu, Bhama Kalapam, Tholu Bommalata, Tappeta Gullu

Telangana ● Perini Shivatandavam, Keisabadi

● Madhuri, Mayuri, Bathukamma, Dandari (Gond tribe)

● Yakshagana, Veeragase, Kamsale Dance, Nagamandala, Gaarudi Gombe

● Pili Yesa, Huttari, Suggi, Dollu Kunitha (Lord Shiva), Karga
Karnataka ● Komb-aat, Peeli-aat, Ummatt-aat, Bolak-aat dance, Bhoota Kola

● Chittani Ramachandra Hegde is the first artist performing Yakshagana, to receive

prestigious Padma Shri award

● Krishna attam, Theyyam, Padayani, Thullal, Chavittu Kali

Kerala ● Chakyar Koothu, Nangiar Koothu, Thirvathirakali
● Koodiyattam ( Master of Koodiyattam : Ammannur Madhava Chakyar )

● Naatupura Padalgal, Bamber dance, Devaraattam, Kavadi, Kummi, Ottan Koothu

Tamil Nadu
● Parai Attam, Poikkaal Kuthirai, Puli Attam, Villu Pattu, Mayil Attam, Karagam

Arunachal ● Buiya, Chalo, Wancho Dance, Rikham pada

Pradesh ● Pasi Kongki, Ponung Dance, Popir Dance, Lion & Peacock Dance, Tapu ( Adi tribe )

Bihar ● Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya, Fagua Dance, Sohar Dance, Jhijhiya

Punjab ● Luddi, Giddha, Jhoomer, Malawi, Julli, Sammi, Jaago, Dankara, Bhangra, Daff, Dhaman,
Jindua ( folk song )

Nagaland ● Naga, Bamboo Dance, Leshalaptu, Mayur Dance, Butterfly Dance, Sangphao tribal dance
● Rengma, Zeliang, Changsang, Changai, Kuki, Aaluyattu, Chang Lo tribal dance

Assam ● Bihu, Bagurumba ( Bodo tribe ), Bhortal Nritya, Naga dance, Natpuja , Jhumar Dance
● Bon-geet, Deodhani, Khel Gopa, Maharas, Kaligopal

● Garba (performed during Navratri), Dandiya, Daang, Bhavai, Tippani, Padhar, Modhera

● The cultural heritage of Siddhis from Gujarat dates back to almost 300 years and their
Gujarat Siddhi Dhamal dance is an exquisite art form

● The Rathwas, who dwell in the state of Gujarat, perform the Rathwa Gher dance on the
occasion of Holi (festival of colours) also known as Kavant festival

● Ghoomar ( Bhil community ), Terah Taali, Bhawai, Chari, Terah Taali & Chang, Khyal
● Kalbelia : It is also known by other names like 'Sapera Dance' or Snake Charmer Dance

Rajasthan ● Gulabo Sapera is associated with Kalbelia dance

● Gair dance is performed by the Bhil community

● Kalbelia dance is listed in UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of India since 2010

Uttar Pradesh ● Nautanki, Raasleela, Charkula, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli

● Jawara, Naurata, Matki, Aada, Khada Nach, Suwa, Phulpati, Grida Dance, Ahirai
Madhya Pradesh
● Tertali, Bhagoria Dance, Lahangi Dance, Karma, Maanch

Maharashtra ● Dhangari Gaja, Dashavatar, Lavani, Povadas, Tamasha

● Koli Dance, Lezim, Gondhal, Pavri Nach, Dindi, Songi Mukhawate dance

Meghalaya ● Behdienkhlam, Nongkrem, Wangala, Lahoo, Do Dru-su'a, Shad Suk Mynsiem & Dorsegata
● Ka Shad Mastieh or victory dance of Khasi tribe

● Paika dance, Chhau nacha, Ghumura Dance, Bagha Nacha, Moksha

Odisha ● Keisabadi Dance, Daskathia Dance, Savari, Dhan Dance, GotiPua Dance, Dalkhai

● Ranapa : consists of enacting chapters from the life of Lord Krishna

Manipur ● Nupa, Pung Cholom, Raas Leela, Lai Haraoba, Khubak Ishei
● Thougal Jagoi, Luivat Pheizak, Shim Laam, Khamba Thoibi, Thabal Chongba
 ● Karma, Jhumar, Paika ( Munda tribe ), Kalbelia, Agni, Birhor

Jharkhand ● Mardani, Janani, Domkach, Lahasua, Painki, Mundari dance, Santali dance & Kurukh
dance, Jhika Dashain, Jamda

● Faguwa, Udasi & Pawas are folk music

● Hojagiri, Mamita, Hai-Hak Dance, Lebang Boomani dance

Tripura ● Sangrai, Gajan, Garia Dance, Galamuchamo
● Satyaram Reang received the Padma Shri in 2021 for promoting the Hojagiri dance form

Mizoram ● Cheraw, Chailam, Zangtalam, Khuallam, Par lam

● Saila Dance, Sua Nacha, Pandavani, Panthi Dance, Raut Nacha, Karma
Chattisgarh ● Gaur Maria, Vedamati, Kapalik

Haryana ● Gugga, Chhathi Dance, Khoria, Dhamal Dance, Daph, Ghoomar, Jhumar Dance & Loor

Himachal Pradesh ● Thoda Dance, Nati Dance, Chham Dance, Dangi Dance, Demon (Rakshasa), Dhaman,
Jhoori is a typical song, Ghurehi, Mahasu

Jammu & Kashmir ● Rouf Dance, Bhand Pather, Bhand Jashan, Bacha Nagma, Dumhal, Wuegi-Nachun &
Kud

Ladakh ● Balti

● Garhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Barada Nati

Uttarakhand ● Pandav Nritya, Bhotiya, Choliya, Raslila, Langvir Nritya
● Hurka Baul : It is performed during maize & paddy cultivation in the state, this dance form is
more of a storytelling

● Fugadi, Mando, Dhangar, Lamp, Shigmo & Dekhni

Goa ● Tarangamel, Koli, Gonph, Modni, Jagar, Ranmale, Morulem, Dhalo, Kunbi dance
● Ghode Modni dance form of Goa is also known as the ‘Warrior Dance’

● Dhunachi, Raibenshe, Baul, Jhumair, Domni Dance

West Bengal ● Brita Dance, Gambhira, Kirtan, Kushan, Alkap, Jatra, Chhau

Sikkim ● Chu Faat, Tashi Sabdo, Bhutia dance

Previous year questions

● Joenpa Legso : Bhutan Kandyan dance : Sri Lanka

● Terataal dance is particular to the women of the Kamad tribe

● The technique of classical dancing was codified by Bharata in about the 5th century B.С

● In Carnatic music, the Ragams are classified into various modes. These modes are referred to as Melakarta,
which are 72 in number

● The smallest form of Nada is called Shruti. Shruti creates Ragas

● The Zo-Mal-Lok folk dance is associated with Lepcha community

● Based on archaeological findings, Odissi is believed to be the oldest of the surviving Indian classical dances
● Ummatt-aat is a folk dance form performed in Coorg
● Lava dance is the most popular dance on Lakshadweep Minicoy Island
● Kolannalu folk dances is popularly known as the stick dance

● Girija Devi : Queen of Thumri Teejan Bai : first female exponent of Pandavani

● Bhimsen Joshi was one of the greatest Indian vocalists from Karnataka in the Hindustani classical tradition

● Uday Shankar came up with his own style of dance. After having named the new dance form 'Hi-dance', he later
rechristened it and called it 'Creative dance'

● Uday Shankar is best known for creating a fusion style of dance by adapting European theatrical techniques to
Indian classical dance

● Uday Shankar : Father of Modern Dance in India

● Nalanda Dance Research Centre gives the Bharat Muni Samman

● The Man Who Made the Elephant Dance, by Dr. Verghese Kurien, is the authorised audio-autobiography of the
Father of the White Revolution