Indian Folk Dances

Indian Folk Dances

Indian folk and tribal dances are simple dance forms and are practiced in groups in rural areas as an expression of their daily work and rituals and are performed to express joy. Folk and tribal dances are performed for every possible occasion, to celebrate the arrival of seasons, birth of a child, a wedding and festivals. The dances are extremely simple with minimum of steps or movement. Men and women perform some dances exclusively, while in some performances men and women dance together. On most occasions, the dancers sing themselves, while being accompanied by artists on the instruments. Each form of dance has a specific costume. Most costumes are flamboyant with extensive jewels. It would be more correct to divide these folk dances into two categories: folk and tribal.  The difference between the two is cultural.  Folk dances are the rural extensions of the larger Indian population.  Examples are the Bhangra and the Garba.  However, the tribal dances are performed by India's aboriginal populations.  These people, known as adivasi, have a culture which is very distinct from the larger Indian population.  Attempting to relate Indian tribal dances with Indian folk dances is very much like trying to relate the dances of the Cherokee Indians to the "Cotton Eyed Joe".  A common example of a tribal dance is the Santhali.
The following is a list of folk and tribal dances of different states of India.

(1) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
(2) Andhra Pradesh
     • Kolattam
     • Kuchipudi

(3) Arunachal Pradesh
     • Bardo Chham

(4) Assam
     • Bihu dance
     • Jhumur Nach of Tea Garden workers
     • Bagurumba of Bodo Community
     • Ali Ai Ligang of Mishing Community

(5) Jharkhand

• Paika
• Santhali
  

(6) Chhattisgarh
     • Panthi
     • Raut Nacha

(7) Goa
(8) Gujarat
     • Garba
     • Padhar
     • Raas
     • Tippani Dance

(9) Himachal Pradesh
     • Kinnauri Nati
     • Namgen

(10) Haryana
(11) Karnataka
     • Yakshagana
     • Bayalata
     • Dollu Kunitha
     • Veeragaase dance

(12) Kashmir
     • Dumhal

(13) Lakshadweep
     • Lava

(14) Madhya Pradesh
     • Tertali
     • Badhai
     • Charkula
     • Matki Dance
     • Phool Patti Dance
     • Grida Dance
     • Maanch
     • Gaur Maria Dance
     •
     • Jawara

(15) Maharashtra
     • Pavri Nach
     • Lavani

(16) Manipur
     • Thang Ta
     • Dhol cholom

(17) Mizoram
     • Cheraw Dance

(18) Nagaland
     • Chang Lo or Sua Lua

(19) Odisha
     • Ghumura Dance
     • Ruk Mar Nacha (& Chhau dance)
     • Goti Pua
     • Nacnī
     • Odissi
     • Baagh Naach or Tiger Dance
     • Dalkhai
     • Dhap
     • Ghumra
     • Karma Naach
     • Keisabadi

(20) Puducherry
     • Garadi

(21) Punjab
     • Bhangra
     • Giddha
     • Malwai Giddha
     • Jhumar
     • Karthi
     • Kikkli
     • Sammi
     • Dandass
     • Ludi
     • Jindua

(22) Rajasthan
    • Ghoomar
    • Kalbelia
    • Bhavai
    • Tera tali
    • Chirami
    • Gair

(23) Sikkim
    • Singhi Chham

(24) Tamil Nadu
    • Bharatanatyam
    • Kamandi or Kaman Pandigai
    • Devarattam
    • Kummi
    • Kolattam
    • Karagattam or Karagam
    • Mayil Attam or Peacock dance
    • Paampu attam or Snake Dance
    • Oyilattam
    • Puliyattam
    • Poikal Kudirai Attam
    • Bommalattam
    • Theru Koothu

(25) Tripura
    • Hojagiri

(26)  West Bengal
    • Gambhira
    • Kalikapatadi
    • Nacnī
    • Alkap
    • Domni