Folk Dances of India for Competitive Exams: Free PDF

India, with its rich cultural diversity, has an array of folk dances that reflect the country’s traditions, customs, and heritage. Each region has its own unique dances, like the energetic Bhangra from Punjab, the elegant Ghoomar from Rajasthan, the powerful Chhau from Odisha, and the vibrant Cheraw bamboo dance from Mizoram. These dances are not just art forms but are often deeply tied to festivals, rituals, and everyday life. For competitive exams like UPSC CSE, SSC, Banking, Railway, or State PCS, questions on folk dances are frequently asked, making it essential to have a clear understanding of these art forms.

This blog provides a detailed guide to Indian folk dances categorised by states, along with their significance, costumes, and instruments.

What Are Folk Dances of India?

Folk dances are traditional, community-based dance forms that are usually performed during festivals in India, celebrations, or to mark special occasions. They are characterised by:

• Simple movements.
• Local music and instruments.
• Reflecting the culture, mythology, and lifestyle of a region.

State-Wise List of Major Folk Dances in India

Here’s a state-wise list of major folk dances in India to help you prepare for competitive exams:

Region/State	Folk Dance	Occasions	Important Features
Jammu & Kashmir	Rouf, Dumhal	Festivals, celebrations	Graceful movements (Rouf); colourful attire and tall caps (Dumhal)
Himachal Pradesh	Nati, Lahauli	Harvest festivals	Slow, rhythmic movements (Nati)
Punjab	Bhangra, Giddha	Baisakhi, weddings	Energetic movements (Bhangra); expressive gestures and songs (Giddha)
Haryana	Phag, Dhamal	Holi, harvests	Holi dance (Phag); harvest celebrations (Dhamal)
Uttarakhand	Choliya, Jhora	Weddings, festivals	Sword dance (Choliya); community bonding (Jhora)
West Bengal	Chhau, Santhal	Festivals, celebrations	Martial movements with masks (Chhau); tribal celebrations (Santhal)
Odisha	Chhau (Mayurbhanj), Ghumura	Religious rituals	Martial dance forms
Bihar	Jat-Jatin, Bidesia	Rural festivals	Love stories (Jat-Jatin); socio-economic themes (Bidesia)
Jharkhand	Paika, Karma	Tribal festivals	Martial themes (Paika); reverence for nature (Karma)
Assam	Bihu, Bagurumba	Assamese New Year, festivals	Brisk movements (Bihu); butterfly-like formations (Bagurumba)
Manipur	Ras Leela, Thang Ta	Janmashtami, ceremonies	Devotional themes (Ras Leela); martial art movements (Thang Ta)
Arunachal Pradesh	Bardo Chham	Tribal festivals	Animal depictions with masks
Nagaland	Chang Lo (Zeliang Dance)	Harvest festivals	Energetic group dance
Meghalaya	Shad Suk Mynsiem	Agricultural festivals	Celebrating nature’s bounty
Tripura	Hozagiri	Tribal ceremonies	Balance and grace
Mizoram	Cheraw	Festivals, weddings	Bamboo dance
Rajasthan	Ghoomar, Kalbelia	Weddings, cultural events	Graceful swirling (Ghoomar); snake-like movements (Kalbelia)
Gujarat	Garba, Dandiya Raas	Navratri	Circular dance (Garba); stick movements (Dandiya Raas)
Maharashtra	Lavani, Tamasha	Festivals, entertainment	Rhythmic beats (Lavani); theatrical performances (Tamasha)
Goa	Fugdi, Dekhnni	Festivals, celebrations	Fast clapping patterns (Fugdi); Portuguese-influenced dance (Dekhnni)
Andhra Pradesh	Kolatam, Dhimsa	Ceremonial celebrations	Stick dance (Kolatam); tribal themes (Dhimsa)
Telangana	Perini Shivathandavam	Temples, festivals	Devotional dance for Lord Shiva
Tamil Nadu	Karagattam, Kummi	Weddings, temple festivals	Pot balancing (Karagattam); simple group dance (Kummi)
Kerala	Kaikottikali, Theyyam	Onam, rituals	Graceful claps (Kaikottikali); ritualistic themes (Theyyam)
Karnataka	Dollu Kunitha, Yakshagana	Temples, cultural events	Drum dance (Dollu Kunitha); narrative drama (Yakshagana)
Madhya Pradesh	Matki Dance, Tertali	Rural celebrations	Balancing earthen pots (Matki); rhythmic gestures (Tertali)
Chhattisgarh	Panthi, Raut Nacha	Devotional themes (Panthi); Krishna worship (Raut Nacha)	Festivals, rituals
Andaman & Nicobar	Nicobarese Dance	Reflects island life	Community celebrations
Ladakh	Shondol Dance	Known as the “royal dance of Ladakh”	Festivals, ceremonies

Explore: Tribes of India: The Ancient People & Their Culture

Important Details for State-Wise List of Folk Dances in India

This note provides a state-wise list of folk dances in India, highlighting the cultural significance and the occasions on which they are performed. Each folk dance has its own unique style, rhythm, and cultural context, often representing agricultural, spiritual, and social themes. Here is a state-wise list of folk dances in India with detailed information:

1. Jammu & Kashmir

• Rouf: A traditional dance performed by women during the Eid and Ramzan festivals.
• Dumhal: A folk dance performed by men, involving rhythmic movements and songs, often during festivals.
• Bhand Pather: A dance-theatre combination featuring dance, drama, and music, often performed at religious and cultural events.

2. Himachal Pradesh

• Nati: A popular folk dance performed by both men and women during festivals and weddings.
• Lahauli: A group dance performed by women, particularly during the Lohri festival.
• Dangi: Performed by men, this is a lively folk dance with intricate footwork.

3. Punjab

• Bhangra: A vigorous and energetic dance performed during the Baisakhi festival.
• Giddha: A lively dance performed by women, often during harvest festivals and weddings.
• Jhumar: A folk dance of celebration, usually performed by the Jat community.

4. Haryana

• Phag: Performed during the Phag festival, this dance involves slow movements celebrating spring.
• Dhamal: A fast-paced dance performed during the Holi festival.
• Loor: A dance performed by women during Karwa Chauth and other local festivals.

5. Uttarakhand

• Choliya: A sword dance performed by men, often during festivals and religious ceremonies.
• Jhora: A slow, rhythmic dance performed during weddings and social gatherings.
• Barada Nati: A folk dance with a vibrant, energetic pace performed during Baisakhi.

6. West Bengal

• Chhau: A martial arts-based folk dance with masks, performed during the Chhau festival.
• Santhal: A tribal dance performed by the Santhal tribe to celebrate nature and harvest.
• Gambhira: A dance form performed by men to celebrate rural life and religious themes.

7. Odisha

• Chhau: An acrobatic dance performed by men, depicting mythological tales.
• Ghumura: A dance associated with the Ghumura festival, symbolizing valor and bravery.
• Gotipua: A traditional dance performed by boys dressed as women, expressing devotion to Lord Krishna.

8. Bihar

• Jat-Jatin: A folk dance celebrating love and romantic relationships, performed by men and women.
• Bidesia: A dramatic folk dance with elements of storytelling, often performed in rural Bihar.
• Sohar-Khilouna: Performed by women to celebrate childbirth and family celebrations.

9. Jharkhand

• Paika: A warrior dance performed by men, symbolizing the bravery of the tribal people.
• Karma: A dance performed during the Karma festival, celebrating nature and the harvest.
• Sarhul: A dance honoring nature gods, performed during the Sarhul festival in the spring.

10. Assam

• Bihu: The most famous dance of Assam, performed during the Bihu festival, celebrating the harvest.
• Bagurumba: A graceful dance performed by the Bodo tribe, celebrating nature and the harvest.
• Sattriya: A classical dance form performed in Sattras (temples), reflecting devotion to Lord Vishnu.

11. Manipur

• Ras Leela: A classical dance depicting Lord Krishna’s playful interaction with his devotees, especially Radha and the Gopis.
• Thang Ta: A martial arts-based dance form performed with swords and other weapons.
• Pung Cholom: A dance featuring Pung (traditional drum), performed during religious festivals like Ras Leela.

12. Arunachal Pradesh

• Bardo Chham: A masked dance performed to represent spiritual and religious beliefs.
• Popir: A slow, graceful folk dance of the Apatani tribe, performed to celebrate harvest and other occasions.

13. Nagaland

• Konyak Dance: A folk dance of the Konyak tribe, performed to celebrate the harvest and showcase the tribe’s culture.
• Chang Lo: Performed by the Limbu tribe, this dance is associated with the harvest season.
• Aoling Dance: A community dance performed during the Aoling festival to celebrate the new year and the harvest.

14. Meghalaya

• Shad Suk Mynsiem: A dance performed by the Khasi tribe, celebrating fertility and agricultural prosperity.
• Nongkrem Dance: A religious dance performed to honor the gods for a good harvest.

15. Tripura

• Hozagiri: A dance performed by the Reang tribe, particularly during Durga Puja.
• Mamita: A tribal dance performed during major festivals to celebrate life and nature.

16. Mizoram

• Cheraw: Known as the Bamboo dance, it involves intricate footwork and rhythm, performed by women and men using bamboo poles.
• Khuallam: A traditional dance performed during the Mizo New Year, celebrating community and family life.

17. Rajasthan

• Ghoomar: A traditional, graceful dance performed by women, often during festivals and weddings.
• Kalbelia: A dance performed by the Kalbelia community, known for its fluid, snake-like movements.
• Bhavai: A dance where women balance several pots on their heads while dancing.

18. Gujarat

• Garba: A lively and circular dance performed during Navratri, characterized by rhythmic clapping and footwork.
• Dandiya Raas: A traditional dance performed with sticks, performed during the Navratri festival.
• Tippani: A traditional dance performed by women, particularly during agricultural festivals.

19. Maharashtra

• Lavani: A classical and sensual dance performed during folk theater and festivals, known for its rhythmic footwork and traditional attire.
• Tamasha: A traditional performance combining dance, drama, and music, popular in rural Maharashtra.
• Povada: A dance celebrating the bravery of historical figures like Shivaji Maharaj.

20. Goa

• Fugdi: A circle dance performed by women, usually during festivals and religious events.
• Dekhnni: A vibrant dance performed by women during the Shigmo festival to celebrate Goan culture.
• Corridinho: A folk dance influenced by Portuguese culture, typically performed with a partner in rhythmic steps.

21. Andhra Pradesh

• Kolatam: A folk dance performed by men and women, characterized by rhythmic clapping and circular formations.
• Dhimsa: A tribal dance performed by the Koya tribe during festivals to celebrate nature and the harvest.
• Lambadi: A vibrant dance of the Lambadi or Banjara tribe, performed during agricultural festivals.

22. Telangana

• Perini Shivathandavam: A classical dance performed to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva, known for its vigorous movements.
• Bathukamma: A floral dance performed by women, celebrating the harvest season, typically performed during Durga Puja.

23. Tamil Nadu

• Karagattam: A traditional dance performed with a pot (Karagam) placed on the dancer’s head, symbolizing devotion.
• Kavadi Attam: A devotional dance performed during the Thaipusam festival, where devotees carry the Kavadi (a symbolic structure) to temples.
• Puli Kali: A dance performed by men painted like tigers, representing a celebration of the harvest.

24. Kerala

• Kaikottikali: A traditional dance performed by women during festivals like Onam and Vishu, involving rhythmic clapping.
• Theyyam: A ritual dance performed in temples, often accompanied by elaborate costumes and rituals.
• Mohiniyattam: A classical dance form characterized by graceful movements, performed by women to narrate stories from Hindu mythology.

25. Karnataka

• Dollu Kunitha: A drum dance performed by men, where they play Dollu (drum) and dance in a rhythmic manner.
• Kamsale: A traditional dance involving the use of cymbals and a rhythmic beat.
• Veeragase: A warrior dance performed during festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva.

26. Madhya Pradesh

• Pandavani: A traditional dance-drama performed by both men and women, narrating stories from the Mahabharata.
• Raut Nacha: A dance performed by the Gonds (tribal people), depicting the life of Lord Krishna and celebrating the harvest season.
• Matki Dance: A dance where women balance clay pots on their heads while performing rhythmic movements, often during festivals.

27. Chhattisgarh

• Pandavani: A narrative dance where folk songs and stories from the Mahabharata are performed.
• Raut Nacha: Performed by the Gonds tribe, this is a celebration of Lord Krishna’s Raas Leela and is performed during festivals.
• Sahariya: A tribal dance performed by the Sahariya community to celebrate the harvest and social occasions.

28. Andaman & Nicobar Islands

• Nicobari Dance: A tribal dance of the Nicobarese people, performed to celebrate the harvest and for community bonding.
• Jarwa Dance: Performed by the Jarwa tribe of the Andaman Islands, this is an expression of celebration and joy, featuring simple, rhythmic movements.
• Shompens Dance: Performed by the Shompens tribe, showcasing a mix of traditional drumming and movement, typically to mark important community events.

Folk Dances of India: PDF Link Available (Free Download)

Prepare to ace questions on Folk Dances of India with this comprehensive PDF guide! Packed with a state-wise list of dances, their cultural significance and detailed explanations, this resource is perfect for competitive exams. Whether it’s Bhangra, Garba, or Bihu, this guide simplifies everything you need to know with engaging content and easy-to-remember tips. Download now to transform your preparation into a fun and effective journey. Click the link below for your FREE PDF and take the first step toward exam success!

Click here to download Folk Dances in India PDF

Also Read: Hindustani And Carnatic Music: Differences and Similarities

FAQs

RELATED BLOGS

Mohiniyattam : The Classical Dance of Kerala	Kuchipudi Dance History and Types
Yakshagana: History and Variants	Bharatanatyam is the Dance Of Which State?
Hindustani And Carnatic Music	Difference Between Gandhara and Mathura School
Modern Dance: History, Traits and Basic Movements	Kathak Dance Is From Which State?
Odissi Dance: History, Features and Facts	The Evolution of Electronic Dance Music

This was all about the “Folk Dances in India ”. For more such informative blogs, check out our UPSC Exams Section and Study Material Section, or you can learn more about us by visiting our  Indian exams page.