Folk Dances of India
1. Overview
- Folk dance is the expression of a region’s social, economic & seasonal life; it is non-classical, oral-transmitted & community-based.
- First documented folk-dance survey: 1946-55 by Sangeet Natak Akademi – 1,800+ forms listed.
- UNESCO Intangible Heritage (India): 2 folk-dance forms listed –
- Garba of Gujarat (inscribed 2023)
- Chhau of Odisha-Jharkhand-Bengal (inscribed 2010).
2. State-wise Major Folk Dances (with facts & figures)
| State/UT | Folk Dance | Key Features | Occasion | Musical Instruments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Kuchipudi (classical-folk fusion), Kolatam | 120+ troupes; 2022 state budget ₹25 cr for folk troupes | Ugadi, Sankranti | Cymbals, drums |
| Arunachal | Aji Lhamu | 5-day play, 7 characters, Tibetan origin | Losar | Damian, flute |
| Assam | Bihu | 3rd most-viewed Indian folk video on YouTube (1.2 B views, 2023) | Rongali Bihu | Dhol, Pepa, Gogona |
| Bihar | Jat-Jatin | Based on folk tale of lovers; 200-year-old script | Sharad Purnima | Dholak, harmonium |
| Chhattisgarh | Panthi, Raut Nacha | Panthi started by Satnami Guru Ghasidas in 1820 | Maghi Purnima | Mandar, jhanjh |
| Goa | Dhalo, Fugdi | Dhalo is women-only, 12-night ritual | Pausha month | Ghumot, kasale |
| Gujarat | Garba, Dandiya | 2023 Guinness record: 55,351 women perform Garba in Vadodara | Navratri | Dhol, nagada |
| Haryana | Phag, Khoria | Phag linked to Holi; 180 songs documented by Haryana Jan Kala Trust | Holi | Been, dholak |
| Himachal | Nati | 2015 Guinness record: 1,764 dancers (8 min) | Kullu Dussehra | Narsingha, khanjari |
| Jharkhand | Paika | Martial dance; 200 Paika akharas still active | Makar Sankranti | Nagara, shehnai |
| Karnataka | Yakshagana | 300+ active troupes, ₹40 cr annual turnover | Dec-May | Chande, maddale |
| Kerala | Theyyam | 400+ theyyam deities; season Nov-May | Kaliyattam | Chenda, veekni |
| Madhya Pradesh | Matki, Jawara | Matki solo by women balancing 5-7 earthen pots | Teej, weddings | Dholak, harmonium |
| Maharashtra | Lavani | Record 1,796 performers at Pune (2012) | Holi, Ganeshotsav | Dholki, tuntune |
| Manipur | Thang-Ta | Martial; recognised by INTACH in 1987 | Lai Haraoba | Pung, flute |
| Meghalaya | Wangala | 100-drum festival since 1976 | Nov (post-harvest) | Dama, gong |
| Mizoram | Cheraw | 4–8 bamboo staves; 2010 Aizawl record: 10,736 dancers | Chapchar Kut | Khuang, dar |
| Nagaland | Bamboo Dance (like Cheraw) | Hornbill Festival 2023 saw 4,000 dancers | Hornbill (1-10 Dec) | Log drum, flute |
| Odisha | Ghumura, Chhau | 2,000-yr-old war dance; depicted in Konark panels | Dussehra | Dhol, mahuri |
| Punjab | Bhangra, Giddha | 2020 London saw 3,500 Bhangra dancers – UK record | Baisakhi | Dhol, tumbi |
| Rajasthan | Kalbelia, Ghoomar | Kalbelia UNESCO-listed 2010; Ghoomar in Padmavat movie | Teej, Diwali | Pungi, dholak |
| Sikkim | Maruni | Nepali origin; 3-day saga | Tihar | Madal, binayo |
| Tamil Nadu | Karagattam, Mayilattam | Karagattam pot weighs 10-15 kg | Mariamman festival | Nadaswaram, tavil |
| Telangana | Perini Sivatandavam | 700-yr-old warrior dance revived 1975 | Maha Sivaratri | Ramudu, kommu |
| Tripura | Hojagiri | Women balance bottle & lamp; 2013 state logo | Laxmi Puja | Kham, sumui |
| UP | Raslila, Charkula | Charkula 108 diyas on head; Braj region | Janmashtami | Pakhawaj, flute |
| Uttarakhand | Langvir Nritya | Men-only acrobatic on pole; 2018 state youth fest | Holi | Dhol, damau |
| West Bengal | Chau, Jhumur | Purulia Chau masks exported to 25 countries | Chaitra Parva | Dhamsa, madal |
3. Quick Reference Table – Martial & Seasonal Dances
| Dance | Martial (M) / Seasonal (S) | Origin Year | Unique Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paika | M | 16th c. | Sword & shield drill |
| Thang-Ta | M | 17th c. | Sword-spear combo |
| Kalbelia | S | Nomadic | Snake-charmer imitation |
| Bihu | S | 1694 (Ahom king Rudra Singha) | Youth choose life-partners |
| Garba | S | 14th c. | Deep-worship of Shakti |
4. One-liner Revision Bullets
- Garba – 2023 UNESCO; 55,351 dancers Guinness Vadodara.
- Nati – 8-min, 1,764 dancers, Kullu 2015 world record.
- Bhangra – 3,500 dancers London 2020; originated as harvest dance.
- Kalbelia – Rajasthani snake-charmer community; UNESCO 2010.
- Chhau – Three styles: Purulia (Bengal), Seraikella (Jharkhand), Mayurbhanj (Odisha).
- Yakshagana – Karnataka’s “living theatre”; season starts after 15 Dec.
- Theyyam – 400+ deities; performers belong to scheduled castes.
- Cheraw – Mizoram bamboo dance; 10,736 dancers Aizawl record.
- Lavani – Maharashtra; came into limelight via Peshwa patronage.
- Raslila – Depicts Krishna’s life; recognised by SNA 1963.
5. 15+ MCQs for Railway Exams
1. Which dance was inscribed in UNESCO list in 2023?
Answer: Garba (Gujarat)2. The 100-drum Wangala festival is of which state?
Answer: Meghalaya3. “Thang-Ta” martial dance belongs to:
Answer: Manipur4. Which dance holds Guinness record for 1,764 dancers simultaneously?
Answer: Nati (Himachal Pradesh)5. Kalbelia dance is associated with which community?
Answer: Kalbelia (snake-charmer) community of Rajasthan6. “Perini Sivatandavam” was revived in 1975 by:
Answer: Nataraja Ramakrishna (Telangana)7. Which state’s folk dance is performed balancing 108 diyas on head?
Answer: Uttar Pradesh (Charkula)8. “Panthi” dance was started by which guru?
Answer: Guru Ghasidas (Chhattisgarh)9. Cheraw dance uses which prop?
Answer: Bamboo staves10. Which dance form is exported globally as Purulia masks?
Answer: Chau (West Bengal)11. “Hojagiri” is a dance of which tribe?
Answer: Reang tribe (Tripura)12. Which dance is performed only by women on 12 consecutive nights in Goa?
Answer: Dhalo13. “Karagattam” pot weight is around:
Answer: 10–15 kg14. “Langvir Nritya” is performed on:
Answer: A vertical pole (Uttarakhand)15. Bihu dance video crossed how many YouTube views in 2023?
Answer: 1.2 billion16. Which dance season starts after 15 December in Karnataka?
Answer: Yakshagana17. “Paika” dance is associated with which festival?
Answer: Makar Sankranti (Jharkhand)Last updated: June 2024
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