India is a vast and diverse country with many different cultures and many languages. there are 29 states and 7 union territories with each state having its own culture and language. With culture comes dance. The whole general Indian culture is to dance and that is why every state has its unique dance form. Here is the list of States and their dance form which will help in preparing for PSC, SSC, Bank Exam and other competitive exam.
List of States and their Dance Form
Arunachal Pradesh
Different communities have their folk dances. Here are a few to mention:
- Aji Lamu
- Chalo
- Hiirii Khaniing
- Lion and Peacock dance
- Pasi Kongki
- Ponungg
Odisha
Gotipua is the traditional dance of Odisha. The Dancers are young boys from the age group of 6 – 14 who dress up as girls for the dance. The reason for this is when this was established, people believed women shouldn’t dance and hence got boys to dress up like women and dance.
Bihar
- Bideshiya (like a dance drama or modern-day musical
- Domkach (performed by women during marriage in the house of the bridegroom)
- Fagua (performed during Holi)
- Jat-Jatin (most popular in North Bihar)
- Jhumri (like Garba of Gujurat)
- Kajari (popular among Bhojpuri)
Chhattisgarh
Raut Nacha is the traditional dance of the state and is usually done by a specific caste known as the Yadavs
Goa
Fugdi is the Goan folk dance and is performed by women in the Konkan region
Gujarat
Gujaratis are known for their dance and energy and so they have many folk dances.
- Dandiya Raas
- Garba
- Tippani dance
- Padhar dance
- Siddi Dhamal
- Hudo
Himachal Pradesh
Nati is the most famous folk dance of the state is also recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest folk dance
Haryana
Haryana has different types of dance forms as listed below with a few examples:
- Theatrical (Ras Leela, Ragini and Saang)
- Devotional (Chaupiya and Manjira)
- Festive seasonal (Teej, Sawan, Phaag and Holi)
- Ceremonial and Recreational (Kissa, Been and Jhoomar)
Karnataka
Karnataka has so many various dance forms that it wouldn’t be good to mention all of them. Here are the top few:
- Veeragase
- Hulivesha (The Dussehra special)
- Yakshgana
- Kunitha
- Lavani
- Kolata
- Nagaradhane
Jammu and Kashmir
Dumhal and Rauf are the folk dances of the state. Rauf is the more famous dance form and is seen in many movies.
Jharkhand
- Jhumar
- Mardana Jhumair
- Domkach
- Lahasua
- Fagua
- Paika
Kerala
- Duffmuttu (particular to the Muslim community)
- Margamkali
- Oppana (bridal group dance)
- Theyyam
- Thirayattam
- Thitambu Nritham
Madhya Pradesh
- Grida Dance
- Maanch
- Matki dance
- Phulpati dance
- Tertali
Maharashtra
Kokna tribal dance (hilly regions of the north-west) and Lavani are the folk dances of the state.
Meghalaya
- Shad nongkrem
- Derogata dance
- Do dru Sua
- Laho
- Wangala
Mizoram
- Cheraw
- Bamboo dance
- Sarlamkai
- Zanglatam
- Khantum
Nagaland
- Bamboo (yes, its called Bamboo)
- Zeilang
- Rangma
- Chang Lo, also known as Sua Lua
Puducherry
Garadi is a well-known dance of Puducherry, It is believed to have a mythological origin.
Punjab
- Bhangra (the classic)
- Giddha
- Malwai Giddha
- Kikkli
Rajasthan
- Ghoomar
- Kalbelia
- Kachchhi Ghodi
- Tera Tali
Sikkim
- Yaksham
- Maxica
- Tamang Shailo
- Richunma
- Khang Thambo
- Limvoor Kuba
- Singhi Chham (masked dance)
Tamil Nadu
- Thappattam (one of the oldest folk dances)
- Kummi
- Kolattam
- Karagatam or Karagam
- Mayil Attam
- Paambhu Attam
- Theru Koothu
Telangana
Being the relatively new state, Telangana revived an ancient dance form as its own known as Perini Shivatandavam
Tripura
Hojagiri is the traditional dance of the state. It is very unique because only the lower half of the body is moved to create rhythmic movements.
Uttar Pradesh
- Mayur Nritya
- Rasleela
- Charpali
- Jaatta
- Kajari
- Chhora
West Bengal
- Gambhira
- Alkap
- Domni
- Dhunachi
- Jhumair
- Santali dance
And there it is! States and their folk dances. Just go through this list for a quiz and you’ll be sure to top it 😉 Stay at home and keep learning with the Entri app, have a nice day! 🙂
