Indian Folk Dances

Folk dances  are no particular form of dancing. They are just random styles of dances unique to the very many different regions in India, and are non-classical in nature. These are the dances of the masses, as it is performed by the normal public of a particular region in contrast to the trained dancers who perform the classical dance. The origination in general started from the people of certain community or village gathering and celebrating for occasions such as births, marriages, engagements, new beginnings, harvesting seasons, plantation seasons, rainy seasons, in fact any seasons and more!


These so-called folk dances can actually be divided into two types namely the folk and the tribal. Out of these some of the folk/tribal dances are as follows…

Bhangra

…is the folk dance from the state of Punjab and is known to be very lively and full of energy and colour.

Bihu

…is a folk-dance from Assam, which is performed by the men as well as the women and is very swift and brisk in nature.

Ghoomar

…This is a folk dance from Rajasthan, performed especially by Rajasthani women and gets its name from the symbolic pirouettes that are formed by the rotating and circling dancers.

Karagam

…is a traditional folk dance from Tamil Nadu, which involves the dancers balancing pots on their head, adorned with flowers. This dance is mostly related to temple performances and others on the streets.

Raas Garba and Dandiya

…These are the traditional dances form Gujarat, which are especially performed during the times of Navaratri along with the dance with sticks, which is relatively more vibrant and aggressive called the Dandiya.

Terahtali

…is a unique dance form from Rajasthan, performed especially by woman in a seated position.

Ghanta Patua

…is a dance performed in the state of Orissa, and its name is derived from the musical tunes for the dance arising mainly from large brass gongs called the Ghantas. Especially performed in the Hindu month of Chaitra, this dance is the most well-known for its dancers performing on stilts.

Chah Baagaan Jumur Naach

…is the unique dance form with its origins from Assam. This was a dance performed by both men and women especially from the areas of tea plantations.

Some more folk dance forms which are not the only ones, but ones that form an integral part of the Indian dance culture are Bathakamma, Changu, Dandaria, Gobbi, Mathuri from Andhra, Bagurumba from Assam, Changu, Dasakathiya (folk theatre), Kela Keluni, Sakhi Nata (puppet dance) from Orissa, Dankaara, Giddha, Gatka, Jhumar, Julli, Kikli, Luddi, Saami from Punjab, Gair, Geendad, Kacchi Ghodi, from Rajasthan, Kavadi , Therukoothu (folk theatre) from Tamil Nadu and Yakshagana (folk theatre) from Karnataka.


                   

India is rich in these and many other forms of folk dance and there is hope that these rare and precious dance forms thrive and flourish in the times to come!