List of Indian folk dances

• The Gotipuas are boy dancers who dress up as girls. They are students of the akhadas, or gymnasia, established by Ramachandradeva in Puri, in the periphery of the temple. As they were offshoots of the akhada system, goti puas also came to be known as akhada pilas - boys attached to akhadas. Another reason often given to justify the emergence of the goti pua system is that some followers of the Vaishnava religion disapproved of dancing by women as a pretext for worship - they introduced the practice of dancing by boys dressed as girls.

The word goti means 'one', 'single' and pua, 'boy', but the goti puas always dance in pairs. Boys are recruited about the age of six and continue to perform till they are 14, then become teachers of the dance or join drama parties. Goti puas are now part of professional teams, known as dals, each headed by a guru.

The boys are trained for about two years, during which, after having imbibed the basic technique, they learn items of dance, ornamental and expressional. The goti puas, being youngsters in their formative years, can adapt their bodies to the dance in a far more flexible manner as opposed to the maharis.

A goti pua presentation is ably supported by a set of three musicians, who play the pakhawaj, the geeni, or cymbals and the harmonium. The boys do the singing themselves, though at times the group has an additional singer.

• Bideshiya a for of dance drama which holds a unique place amongst folk dances from Bihar. It is believed to be created by Bhikhari Thakur, a person who was barber by profession and left everything for his passion of drama. Bidesia deals with social issues & conflict between the traditional and modern, the rich and the poor and delicate matters like emotional battles. In old days, Bidesia was famous as it gave voice to many social concerned topics like the cause of poor laborers and tried to create awareness about the poor status of women in Bhojpuri society. Sometimes, the tone of Bidesia is sarcastic but it uses vibrant dance moves and music with emotional stories.

• Domkach is performed by women during marriage in house of Bridegroom.
• Fagua is a special dance form and also a type of folk song which is sung and performed in the festival of Holi.

• Jat-Jatin is the most popular folk dance of North Bihar, especially in Mithila and Koshi region. It is performed by a pair of man and woman. Man goes to far-off place to earn livelihood. Jat-Jatin is a folk dance of the same emigrant husband accompanied by his spouse. Apart from poverty and sorrow, this dance reflects a rainbow of the sweet and tender quarrel as well as some complaints between husband and wife. The folk mocks to comfort the hurdles of life with a smile. The headlines of the lyrics is “ Tikwa-jab-jab Maugailion re jatwa - Tikwa kahe na lawle re ... ”

• Jhijhian sung when there is no rain for a long time. Through `Jhijhian` people try to portray drought where there is no rain. They pray to Lord Indra for rain. This dance is ritualistic in nature with the songs showing deep devotion to Lord Indra. The musicians are usually a lead singer and harmonium player with a drummer.
• Jhumri is another popular dance form of Bihar. It is very much similar to Garba of Gujrat.
• Kajari is a popular dance form in Bhojpuri speaking region of Bihar. It is often used to describe the longing of a maiden for her lover as the black monsoon cloud come hanging in the summer skies, and the style is notably sung during the rainy season.

• Painki - It is another popular dance form of Bihar. The dance reminds us of infantry and its agility, courage, and excitement. A flat ground is essential for its performance. This dance displays the skills & the ability of the dancers to handle these weapons.
• Sohar is mainly performed to celebrate the birth of a child. Sohar is also a type of folk song which is sung in order to praise the child and women dance on it.

• Raut Nacha is a traditional folk dance usually done by Yadavs (a caste which considers itself as descendants of Krishna) as symbol of worship to Krishna. Done at the time of 'Dev Udhni Ekadashi' (time of awakening of Gods after brief rest) according to Hindu panchang (calendar). The dance is a close resemblance of Krishna's Raas leela (dance of lord with his village's girls called gopis) with gopis.
• Sua (Folk music) is a dance song of Gond women of Chhattisgarh state. It is a song sung by women on the festival of Deepawali. Sua means 'parrot'. Sua is a bird that speaks rote things. In this folklore, women sing songs conveying messages through parrots. Through this song, women express their heart's feelings with the belief that Sua (the parrot) will convey the agony of their heart to their lover. Therefore, it is sometimes called the 'Viyog' song.

Popular folk dances are:[5][6]

• Fugdi

Fugdi is a Goan folk dance performed by the women in the Konkan region during Hindu religious festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Vrata or towards the end of other dances like Dhalo.

Timli, a Gujarati folk dance performed by Adivasi Children of Panchmahal

• Dandiya Raas is an energetic, vibrant dance originating in the state of Gujarat. Often called the "stick dance" because it uses polished sticks or dandiya, it represents a mock-fight between Durga and Mahishasura, the mighty demon-king. It is nicknamed "The Sword Dance" because the dandiya represent the sword of Durga and are hit together.[7][8] The combination of garba and raas has become very popular at the collegiate level in the United States. Garba-Raas competitions are increasing in number. Popular ones include Dandia Dhamaka,[9] Raas Chaos,[10] Garba With Attitude, Dandia on Fire and Maryland Masti among others.[11]
• Garba is customarily performed by women, the dance involves circular patterns of movement and rhythmic clapping. It popularly performed during Navratri. The word comes from "garbha deep" which is translated as either light in the inner sanctum of the temple or lamp inside a perforated earthen pot (which is often used in the dance).[7][12]
• The Tippani dance originated from the Chorwad region of Saurashtra. Labourer women take a wooden rod, sometimes tipped with iron at one end, to beat the floor.[13]
• Other folk dances include the Padhar dance, Siddi Dhamal, Hudo, Matukadi, and Aagawa.
• Kolis of Saurashtra and Padhiyar also perform folk and classical dances.

Nati refers to the traditional dance of Sirmaur district Kullu and Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. The dance is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as largest folk dance. It is quite popular in whole Himachal Pradesh. Dance is also popular in Chandigarh where Himachali youth perform this on cultural programmes. This dance is also popular in jounsari community in uttrakhand.

• Charba dance normally performed during celebration of dussehra festival.

Dance forms of Haryana include:[14][15]

• Theatrical
  • Saang, popular pioneering artists were Baje Bhagat, Dayachand Mayna and Lakhmi Chand.
  • Ras Leela
  • Ragini

• Devotional
  • Chaupaiya (on verses)
  • Holi festival
  • Manjira (type of Cymbal)
  • Ras Leela (of Krishna and Gopis)
  • Ragini

• Festive seasonal
  • Gogaji and Gugga
  • Holi
  • Phaag,
  • Sawan
  • Teej

• Ceremonial and recreational
  • Legendary bravery
    • Kissa
    • Ragini
  • Love and romance
    • Been (including its variant Nāginī dance)
    • Ragini
  • Ceremonial
    • Dhamal Dance,
    • Ghoomar
    • Jhoomar (sway, male only)
    • Khoria dance
    • Loor dance
    • Ragini

• Veeragase is a vigorous dance performed by women. Based on Hindu mythology, it involves intense energy-sapping movements and is performed during festivals mainly in the Hindu months of Shravana and Karthika

• Hulivesha is a powerful dance form performed by males in the coastal area of Karnataka. The dancers are painted like the tiger and performed like angry tiger.
• Halakki Suggi and Halakki padagalu
• Yakshgana is the state dance. There many different forms varying from region to region.
• Kunitha literally means dance in Kannada. There are many such Kunithas around the state. Dollu Kunitha, Gorava Kunitha, Kangadilo Kunitha, Somanna Kunitha, Suggi Kunitha, Pooja Kunita etc
• Koravanji Helake is popular rural folk dance performed by women
• Kolata
• Bharatnatyam, a distinct form is performed in Mysuru region.
• Kamsale is a very popular dance form in Mysuru region. This used to be performed by the devotees of Male Madeshwara while on pilgrimage to BR hills. Now a days it's popular throughout the state.
• Lavani is still performed in Northern border regions of Karnataka
• Kardimanjal is a bear dance popular in North Karnataka
• Kuruba Nrutya is performed by Kuruba tribe.
• Yellamma Nurtya is an art of singing and dancing prominent in North Karnataka regions.
• Bhooth aradhane is a ritualistic dance performed while festivals in Tulu Nadu and Karavali region.Daivaradhane (Spirit worship), which is usually done at night is practised
• Nagaradhane (Snake worship) is practised in the Tulu Nadu according to the popular belief of the Naga Devatha to go underground and guard the species on the top.
• Bolakaat dance form is performed by Kodava men dressed in all black with an oil lamp in the open field. The dancers hold chavri (yak fur) in one hand and the Kodava sword odi kathi in the other. The dance is performed on the rhythm provided by Dudi. These dances are performed to mark celebrations.
• Ummatt aat dance is performed by the Kodava women wearing the traditional Kodava dress with jewellery and kumkuma on their foreheads. The dance is performed in a circular motion with a swinging rhythm. The dancers hold brass cymbals in their hands. A woman holding a pot full of water is made to stand in the center to represent Mother Kaveri.
• Kombat aat
• Kathi aat dance nce form is performed by men in temples where the dancers hold peacock feathers while performing.
• Chowri aat
• Kappe-aat
• Kathi-aat This dance form is performed by men dressed in kodava attire. It is a kind of Sword fight where men hold the peechekathi and odikathi while they dance. This is usually performed during festivals.

• Dumhal is a dance performed by men of the Wattal tribe on specific occasions. The performers wear long colourful robes and tall conical caps that are studded with beads and shells. The party moves in a procession carrying a banner in a ceremonial fashion. The banner is then dug into the ground and the men dance, forming a circle. The accompaniment comprises a drum and the singing of the participants. Dumhal is performed on set occasions and at set locations.
• Rauf is a folk dance form which is mainly practiced by the women folk of the Kashmir valley. There are several folk dance forms which have particularly originated and flourished in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In this beautiful dance form, there are women who line up in two rows facing each other and perform this beautiful dance during the spring time in beautiful costumes.

• Jhumar is popular folk dance of Jharkhand. It is performed during harvest season and festival.
• Mardana Jhumair is Nagpuri folk dance mostly performed by men.
• Janani Jhumair is Nagpuri Folk dance mostly performed by women.
• Domkach folk dance is performed during marriage by bride groom family.
• Lahasua folk dance performed by both men and women accompanied by musical instruments Mandar, Dhol and Bansi.
• Fagua is a folk dance performed during festival of Fagua or Holi.[16]
• Paika is a martial dance.
• Chhau dance is a semi classical Indian dance with martial, tribal and folk traditions, with origins in the eastern Indian states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. It is found in three styles named after the location where they are performed, i.e. the Purulia Chau of Bengal, the Seraikella Chau of Jharkhand, and the Mayurbhanj Chau of Odisha.
• Santali dance - Santali dance performed by Santal tribe.
• Mundari dance - Mundari dance performed by Munda tribe.

• Chakyar Koothu is primarily a highly refined monologue where the performer narrates episodes from Hindu epics (such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata) and stories from the Puranas. And sometimes, however, it is also a traditional equivalent of the modern stand-up comedy act, incorporating commentary on current socio-political events (and personal comments directed at the members of the audience).
• Duffmuttu (also known as Aravanmuttu or Arbanamuttu) is a dance form particular to the Muslim community of Kerala. The origin of Duffmutt can be traced back to the Arabs. It is still accompanied by Arabic music. The name Duffmuttu is attributed to the use of an instrument called duff or tap. Daff is a round percussion instrument with one side covered with hide and is used to produce rhythm.
• Margamkali is a very ancient and the most popular artistic performance prevalent among the Syrian Christians of Kerala. Margamkali is performed mainly by women on festive occasions, especially during the time of marriage.
• Oppana is a dance form specific to the Muslim community of Kerala. Oppana is usually a bridal group dance performed the day before the wedding day. It is a dance form essential to the wedding entertainment and festivities of the Muslims especially in the Malabar region of Kerala. Oppana is generally presented by young female relatives of the bride, who sing and dance around the bride clapping their hands.
• Padayani or Padeni in colloquial speech is one of the most colourful and spectacular folk arts associated with the festivals of certain temples in southern Kerala. The word Padayani literally means military formations or rows of army, but in this folk art we have mainly a series of divine and semi-divine impersonations wearing huge masks or kolams of different shapes, colors and designs painted on the stalks of areca nut fronds. The most important of the kolams usually presented in a Padayani performance are Bhairavi (Kali), Kalan (god of death), Yakshi (fairy), Pakshi (bird) etc.
• Theyyam, otherwise known as Kaliyattam, is a sacred ritual dance performed to glorify the goddess Kaali. The term 'Theyyam' is supposed to be the corrupt form of the Malayalam word 'Daivam', meaning God.

Thirayattam (Karumakan Vallattu)

• Thirayattam, is a ritualistic performing ethnic art form of north Kerala. It blends dance, theatre, music, satire, facial painting, body painting, masking, martial art and ritualistic function. It has a great resemblance to the tradition and customs of the ancient civilization "Thirayattam". This divine ritualistic art form enacted in courtyards of "kaavukal" (sacred groves) and village shrines of south malabar (calicut & malappuram dt:)region in kerala state.[17] [18]
• Thitambu Nritham is mainly performed by Nambudiris of North Kerala.[19]
• The word 'Thullal' means 'Caper' or 'to leap or jump about playfully'. This art form emerged in the 18th century. A solo performance combining both dance and recitation, thullal is the explication of a tale - normally drawn from the Puranas, narrated in verse.

• Grida Dance - crops sway in the fields in the full bloom, the parties from different villages join together and perform the Grida dance. It continues from morning till evening. The host village returns the visit next year by going to the village of their guests of the preceding year. The dance has three distinct phases:
  • (1) Sela - feet movements are slow and comparatively rigid.
  • (2) Selalarki - The feet movements become brisker and faster.
  • (3) Selabhadoni - With the acceleration of the tempo, every limb of the body begins to sway in mood of exaltation.
• Maanch is a lyrical folk drama and a form of operatic ballet that is very popular in Malwa in Madhya Pradesh. "Maanch" means the stage or place of performance and as an indigenous and distinct folk-form.

Matki dance at Jal Mahotsav 2016

• The tableland of Malwa has comparatively very few dances. On wedding occasions, the countryside women of this part perform the Matki dance with an earthen pot balanced on the head, the Matki is mostly danced solo. Sometimes just for merriment a couple of women join the main dancer who usually dances with a veil on her face. The two other variations of the Matki are the Aada and Khada Nach.
• The Phulpati dance is exclusively for semi-rural unmarried girls. The agriculturist class of Malwa is not very much inclined to any dance by nature but during the Holi festival revelers perform this to the uneven manipulation of drums.
• The Kamar tribe performs the Tertali, which is an elaborate ritual with many elements of dance. It is generally performed by two or three women who sit on the ground. Manjiras, or small metal cymbals are tied to different parts of the body, mostly the legs, and with a cymbal in either hand the dancer strikes these in rhythm. The head is covered with a veil, and at times a small sword is clenched between the teeth and an ornamental pot balanced on the head.

• In the hilly regions of the north west, the Kokna tribal dance to the accompaniment of the tarpha or pavri, a wind instrument made of dried gourd. Because of this, the dance is known as Tarpha Nach or Pavri Nach.
• Lavani is a combination of traditional song and dance, which is particularly performed to the beats of Dholki, a percussion instrument. Lavani is noted for its powerful rhythm and erotic sentiment. Lavani has contributed substantially to the development of Marathi folk theatre. In Maharashtra and southern Madhya Pradesh, it is performed by the female performers wearing nine-yard long saris. The songs are sung in a quick tempo.

• Shad suk mynsiem
• Shad nongkrem
• Derogata dance
• Do dru Sua
• Laho
• Wangala

• Cheraw

• Bamboo dance

• Sarlamkai

• Zanglatam

• Khantum

• Bamboo
• Zeilang
• Rangma
• The Chang Lo (also known as Sua Lua) is a dance of the Chang tribe of Nagaland. It was performed to celebrate the victory over enemies in the earlier times. Presently, it forms a part of all the community celebrations, such as Poanglem, a three-day festival preceding the harvest season. There are dramatic costumes of the traditional Naga warrior and finery of womenfolk.

• Garadi is a well-known dance of Puducherry. It is believed to have a mythological origin. As the legend goes, when Rama - the epic hero of Ramayana defeated Ravana then the vanars (monkeys) performed this dance to celebrate his victory. Garadi is performed during all festivals and usually continues for five to eight hours. The dancers are disguised as 'vanars' and carry sticks in their hands as they dance to the beat of two big drums, called ' Ramadolus'. A distinctive feature of this dance is the iron rings called 'anjali' which dancers wear on their legs - ten on each leg. As the dancer proceeds, these rings produce a melodious sound.

• Yaksham
• Maxica
• Tamang Shailo
• Richunma
• Khang Thambo
• Limvoor Kuba
• Singhi Chham is a masked dance of Sikkim, depicting snow lion - the cultural symbol of the state. (Snow lion was decreed the guardian deity of the people of Sikkim by Guru Padamsambhava). The third highest mountain in the world - Kanchenjunga(Khang-Chen Dzong Pa), standing sentinel over the state of Sikkim, is believed to resemble the legendary snow lion. The natives display their cultural symbol by dressing up in furry costumes and performing this majestic masked dance.

• Hojagiri is a reflection of the age-old culture and the unique style of dance of the Reang community of Tripura. Only lower half of the body is moved to create rhythmic movements. Dancers performing unusually amazing acrobatic feats is the main highlight of the dance. Reang girls twist and turn and dance in time to the compelling rhythm, sometimes dancing on an earthen pitcher or balancing a bottle on the head with a lighted lamp on top of it.

• The folk dance/theatre of Gambhira originated among the Hindu community of Maldah in West Bengal. After Partition of India, Chapai Nawabganj in Rajshahi became the main center of Gambhira. With time, Gambhira has undergone many changes in terms of theme and style of its presentation. Muslims also became the custodian of the dance, and thereby it became an integral part of their culture. May be for that reason the dancer now wears the Lungi. Gambhira comprises a few characters with dialogues in an atmosphere of music, its themes now being contemporary social problems, fakeness and selfishness of people and so on.
• Alkap is a rural performance, popular in many places of Bengal, especially in Rajshahi, Maldah and Murshidabad districts, and the Rajmahal Hills in the state of Jharkhand. This is associated with the Gajan Festival of Shiva around the middle of April. The beginning of this form was in the late nineteenth century. It has no written script, but scenarios based on popular love stories, which the actors elaborate with extreme dialogues, breaking up for songs, dances and comic or satirical sketches called Kap. It is a composite performance comprising acting, dancing, singing and recitation. Each Alkap group consists of ten to twelve dancers, under the leadership of a 'Sorkar' or 'Guru'. The group includes two or three 'Chhokras', one or two lead singers called 'Gayen' or 'Gayok'. Also, there remain 'Dohars', the chorus called 'Gayokdol' and instrumentalists called 'Bajnadars'. Alkap performances take place at night on an open stage.
• Domni is performed in Malda district. A Domni performance starts with a Vandana dedicated to God. Then the 'Mool Gayen' (Lead Character/Protagonist) and 'Chhokras' (Supporting Characters) offer devotional prayers. The dance performances of the Chhokras are called 'Nachari' or 'Lachari'. The main characters are the roles of husbands, wives, mothers, greedy moneylenders, peasant- girls and so on. The plays are composed taking extracts from small events of everyday life and are presented in a satirical manner. The musical instruments are Harmonium, Dholak, Kartal, flute and so on. With change on social life and popular taste/culture, this folk form is becoming extinct.
• Dhunachi is a dance performed in Bengal for the Durga Pooja at the time of Dussehra. Women and Men wear traditional Bengali dresses and dance with a mud pot filled with burnt coconut shavings. This is known as a tribute to Maa Durga.
• Jhumair: Jhumair is folk dance of Western parts of West Bengal performed during harvest season and festivals.
• Santali dance: Santali dance performed by Santal tribe.

• List of Indian classical dance and music events
• Indian classical dance