Indian folk dance ranges over various customs and territorial styles. Bhangra of the Punjab, Garba and Dandiya of Gujarat, Ghoomar of Rajasthan, the Bihu of Assam, the Chhau of West Bengal and Jharkhand, Sambalpuri of Odisha, and the Lavani of Maharashtra are among the better-known folk dances of India.
Bharatanatyam of Tamil Nadu, Kathak of Uttar Pradesh, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam of Kerala, Kuchipudi of Andhra Pradesh, Manipuri of Manipur, Odissi of Odisha, and the Sattriya of Assam, These are the eight classical folk dance forms including a lot of narrative forms and mythological elements specified by India's Sangeet Natak Akademi (The National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama).
Below is a list of Indian States and their Folk Dances:
State | Folk Dances |
Andhra Pradesh | Kuchipudi (Classical), Mohiniattam, Ghantamardala, Ottam Thedal, Kummi, Siddhi Madhuri, Chhadi. |
Arunachal Pradesh | Mask dance, War dance |
Assam | Bihu, Naga dance, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Khel Gopal Tabal Chongli, Canoe, Jhumura Hobjanai |
Bihar | Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya, Sama-Chakwa, Bidesia, Jatra |
Chhattisgarh | Goudi, Jhumar, Karma, Dagla, Pali, Navrani, Diwari, Tapali, Mundari |
Goa | Tarangamel, Dashavatara, Dekhni, Dhalo, Dhangar, Fugdi, Ghodemodni, Goff, Jagar, Kunbi, Mando, Muslam Khel, Perni Jagar, Ranamale, Romta Mel, Divlyan Nach (Lamp dance), Veerabhadra |
Gujarat | Garba, Dandiya Ras, Tippani Juriun, Bhavai |
Haryana | Jhumar, Phag Dance, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khor, Gagor |
Himachal Pradesh | Chamba, Chhapeli, Jhora, Jhali, Chharhi, Dhaman, Mahasu, Nati, Dangi, Thali, Jhainta, Daf, Stick dance |
Jammu & Kashmir | Rauf, Hikat, Mandjas, Kud Dandi Nach, Damali |
Jharkhand | Chhau, Sarahul, Jat-Jatin, Karma, Danga, Bidesia, Sohrai |
Karnataka | Yakshagan, Huttari,Suggi, Kunitha, Karga, Lambi |
Kerala | Kathakali (Classical), Rakhal, Nat Rash, Maha Rash, Raukhat |
Maharashtra | Lavani, Nakata, Koli, Dahikala Dasavtar or Bohada, Tamasha, Lezim, Gafa,Mauni, Powara, Gouricha |
Manipur | Manipuri (Classical), Rakhal, Nat Rash, Maha Rash, Raukhat |
Meghalaya | Laho, Baagla |
Mizoram | Khanatm, Pakhupila, Cherokan |
Nagaland | Chong, Khaiva, Lim, Nuralim |
Odisha | Odissi (Classical), Rakhal, Nat Rash, Maha Rash, Raukhat |
Punjab | Bhangra, Giddha, Daff, Dhaman |
Rajasthan | Ghumar, Ganagor, Jhulan Leela, Jhuma,Chakri, Suisini, Ghapal, Panihari, Ginad |
Tamil Nadu | Bharatnatyam, Kumi, Kolattam, Kavadi |
Uttara Khand | Gadhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Raslila, Chappeli |
Uttar Pradesh | Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli, Jaita |
West Bengal | Kathi, Gambhira, Dhali, Jatra, Baul, Marasia, Mahal, Keertan |