Folk Dance in India – UPSC Notes – Art and Culture

India has a lot of different cultures, and one way this shows is through their folk dances. These special dances are a big part of India’s history and are often done during parties, celebrations, and when people get together. Every part of India has its own unique folk dance, making the country’s traditions really colorful and diverse.

Folk dances are like traditional parties that have been going on for a long time in specific groups of people or areas. They’re a way of keeping the culture alive and are done during different celebrations and events. Folk dances are different all around the world, each having its own special way of dancing, music, and outfits.

In India, the traditional dances are lively and full of energy. Sometimes, men and women dance together, and sometimes they dance separately, depending on the situation. The clothes they wear are very bright and have lots of decorations and patterns. Let’s take a closer look at some of these dances from India. If you want to learn more, keep reading.

North India

In Northern India, there are many fascinating folk dances that showcase the vibrant traditions of the region. Here are some examples:

1. Dumhal (Jammu and Kashmir): This ancient dance is preserved by the Rauf tribe. Men wear long, colorful robes and tall conical caps while performing around a fixed banner planted in the ground.

1. Hikat (Kashmir): Dancers in groups hold hands and dance in circles, adjusting their movements to the tempo of the music. The dance starts slowly and gradually picks up pace.
2. Hurka Baul (Uttarakhand): Associated with maize and paddy cultivation, this dance is a form of storytelling. A singer narrates heroic stories, and dancers enact them through their movements.
3. Chapeli (Uttarakhand): A graceful, slow-paced dance from the Kumaoni region, performed by women during cultural and social gatherings.

1. Nati (Himachal Pradesh): A lively folk dance involving group dancing and singing in a circular formation. Dancers wear traditional Himachali attire and use wooden sticks for rhythmic movements.
2. Bhangra (Punjab): Originating from Punjab, Bhangra is a high-energy dance traditionally performed by men during harvest season and festivities. It features dynamic footwork, lively music, and colorful turbans.
3. Giddha (Punjab): A graceful and expressive folk dance primarily performed by women. It involves singing, clapping, and storytelling through dance movements, often centered around everyday life and love.
4. Dhamyal (Haryana): A popular folk dance of Haryana, performed by male dancers using a circular drum called ‘Dhuph.’ It is part of celebrations after a day’s work in the fields.

1. Raslila (Uttar Pradesh): A traditional dance drama originating in the Braj region, depicting the divine love story of Lord Krishna and Radha. It is also practiced in Manipur in a classical dance drama form.
2. Mayur Nritya (Uttar Pradesh): Common in Uttar Pradesh, this peacock dance is performed by dancers wearing specially designed clothes resembling a peacock, often during the worship of Lord Krishna.
3. Charkula (Uttar Pradesh): A dance performed in the Braj region involving a multi-tiered circular pyramid called ‘Charkula.’ Legend has it that Goddess Radha’s grandmother announced her birth while balancing a ‘Charkula’ on her head. Women dancers carry huge ‘Charkulas’ with lighted oil lamps.

East India Folk Dance

In Eastern India, there are unique and vibrant folk dances that represent the cultural diversity of the region. Here are some examples:

1. Chhau (Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha): Chhau is a tribal martial dance form found in several states of Northern India, including Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. Dancers wear elaborate masks and showcase acrobatic movements, portraying stories from Hindu epics and tribal traditions.

1. Brita Dance (West Bengal): ‘Brita’ or ‘Vrita’ dance is usually performed to express gratitude to the local deity after recovering from a contagious disease, typically smallpox.
2. Dalkhai (Odisha): This dance involves young women initially, later joined by men playing drums and other instruments. Interestingly, the men refer to the women as their girlfriends throughout the performance.
3. Gotipua (Odisha): ‘Gotipua’ is a unique dance form where performers, usually boys, dress as women. The dance is taken seriously to the extent that the boys refrain from cutting their hair to resemble women.

North-East India Folk Dance

In North-Eastern India, there are many interesting folk dances that bring color to the local culture. Let’s explore a few:

1. Bardo Chham (Arunachal Pradesh): People from the Sherdukpens community perform this dance to keep away bad forces. They wear masks that look like animals and dance together.
2. Ponung (Arunachal Pradesh): Before the harvest, women get together to dance. They hold hands and move in formations. A man leads and sings with a sword-like instrument called ‘Yoksha.’
3. Bihu (Assam): Part of the Bihu festival, this dance involves young men and women dancing to pipes and drums. The songs they sing are important because they talk about love.
4. Bagurumba (Assam): Women from the Bodo tribe perform this dance inspired by nature. They use drums and flutes, and different dances represent things like animals, plants, and birds.

1. Nongkram (Meghalaya): People from the Khasi hills perform this skillful dance in May and November to show respect to their deity.
2. Hojagiri (Tripura): During festivals like ‘Laxmi Puja’ and ‘Durga Puja,’ women dance gracefully while balancing bottles or lamps on their heads. Men take care of the music.
3. Dhol Cholom (Manipur): In this drum dance during the Holi festival, men do acrobatic moves while playing the drum. The dance starts slow and then gets faster.
4. Cheraw (Mizoram): Men move bamboo staves horizontally and vertically while women dance between them. The challenge is not to get caught. The moving bamboo makes a unique beat.

1. Chang lo (Nagaland): This is a traditional war dance celebrating victory. Dancers wear warrior costumes, and the dance is like a show of war tactics. The costumes are dramatic and colorful.
2. Maruni (Sikkim): In Sikkim weddings, Maruni is a big attraction. Performers, including a joker called ‘Dhatu Waray,’ use nine different musical instruments. Even though the dance started in Nepal, it’s an important part of Sikkim’s culture now.

South India Folk Dance

1. Yakshagana (Karnataka): This is a traditional folk theater form from Karnataka that blends dance, music, and storytelling. Performers, often in fancy costumes and makeup, act out stories from epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
2. Dollu Kunitha (Karnataka): A lively drum dance from Karnataka, Dollu Kunitha, is known for its dynamic drumming, energetic movements, and jumps. People usually perform this dance during cultural celebrations and rituals.
3. Karagattam (Tamil Nadu): This traditional folk dance involves balancing a pot (karagam) on the head while performing intricate steps. It’s a common sight during festive occasions in Tamil Nadu.
4. Kolannalu (Andhra Pradesh): Also known as the ‘stick dance,’ Kolannalu features dancers forming two circles. The inner circle receives strikes on their sticks, while the outer circle delivers the strikes.

1. Kolattam (Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh): In this group dance, participants create patterns and move rhythmically, often using sticks. It’s a celebratory dance seen during harvest festivals and special events.
2. Perini Shivatandavam (Telangana): This traditional Telangana dance involves vigorous and acrobatic movements, with male dancers portraying Lord Shiva’s Tandava dance.
3. Oyilattam (Tamil Nadu): Oyilattam is a folk dance in Tamil Nadu where dancers use small sticks to create intricate patterns. It’s commonly performed during temple festivals.
4. Parai Attam (Tamil Nadu): Men play a percussion instrument called ‘Parai’ and dance to the rhythm they create. This ancient dance has been performed for various reasons.
5. Karagattam (Tamil Nadu): This dance is performed during rain worship. Dancers balance huge pots on their heads and dance to the music.
6. Mayil Attam (Tamil Nadu and Kerala): Similar to ‘Mayur Nritya’ of Uttar Pradesh, young girls dress like peacocks and dance to the beats of musicians, imitating the moves of a peacock.
7. Kummi (Tamil Nadu and Kerala): Originating without musical instruments, this dance involves women singing and clapping.
8. Padayani (Kerala): Pleasing to the eyes with vibrant colors, Padayani involves dancers wearing massive masks that often represent deities.

1. Oppana (Kerala): Belonging to the Mappila community, young girls perform Oppana at weddings. The bride sits in the middle while girls dance and clap rhythmically.
2. Theyyam (Kerala): Also known as Kaliyattam or Tira, it is performed in northern Kerala temples and sacred groves. Men from specific communities perform Theyyams as an ode to various deities.
3. Thiruvathira (Kerala): This popular group dance is performed during the harvest festival of Kerala, Onam. Women move in circular patterns to the tune of Thiruvathira songs.
4. Thidambu Nritham (Kerala): A ritual temple art form in North Malabar and Kasaragod District, Thidambu dance involves hopping on one leg and is performed during temple festivals and poojas.

Central India

1. Lavani (Maharashtra): Lavani is a dynamic and sensual dance style from Maharashtra, known for its energetic moves and traditional Maharashtrian music. People also enjoy Lavani in parts of Northern India, like Vidarbha.

1. Koli (Maharashtra): The Koli dance is performed by fishermen and includes elements inspired by fishing and the sea. Men and women both take part in this captivating dance, making it a delightful spectacle.
2. Garba (Gujarat): Originating in Gujarat, Garba is a lively folk dance celebrated during the Navratri festival. Dancers form circles, moving energetically to traditional music and often wearing colorful outfits, creating a festive atmosphere.
3. Dandiya Raas (Gujarat): Paired with Garba during Navratri, Dandiya Raas is a partner dance where participants use colorful sticks (dandiyas). The dance involves intricate patterns and footwork, making it a joyous and engaging experience.
4. Ghodemodni (Goa): Known as a ‘warrior dance,’ Ghodemodni features performers dressed as warriors wielding swords. The dance tells a historical story of a king capturing the village where the dance originated.

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FAQs on Folk Dance in India

Q1: Which is a folk dance of India?

There are various folk dances in India, including Vilasini Natyam, Bhamakalpam, Veeranatyam, Dappu, Tappeta Gullu, Lambadi, Dhimsa, Kolattam, Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga dance, Khel Gopal, Jhumar, Phag, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khor.

Q2: What are the top 10 folk dances in India?

Some of the top 10 folk dances in India include Jhumur, Garba, Bihu, Lavani, Ghoomar, Yakshagana, Pung Cholom Dance, and Theyyam.

Q3: What type is folk dance?

Folk dance is a form of cultural expression that celebrates the roots of a particular group of people. It is often performed as ritualistic entertainment at social gatherings.

Q4: What are the 7 famous dances of India?

The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognizes eight classical dance styles as follows: Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathak (North, West, and Central India), Kathakali (Kerala), Kuchipudi (Andhra), Odissi (Odisha), Manipuri (Manipur), Mohiniyattam (Kerala), and Sattriya (Assam).

Q5: Which is the largest folk dance in India?

The Nati folk dance of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh holds the Guinness World Record as the largest folk dance in the world.