List of Indian Dance Forms 2023
- India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions. Folk art is the common possession of a group of people or a particular locality.
- There is one dance in almost every state for the time of harvest. Folk dances are forms of expression, performed to reflect the happiness, sorrow and different mood of society.
- In this article, We are providing you with the list of important folk dances in India that will be helpful for all SSC exams or any other competitive exams.
- Candidate must have a look of these important state-wise folk dances and those words highlighted in bold are the dances that are asked in recent exams. List of Folk Dances of India in 2023 List of Folk Dances of India in 2023, different dance forms of India with states.
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Classical Dances of India
- Let us first discuss Classical Dances of India.
- According to the Sangeet Natak Academy, there are total 8 classical dances in India. However, the Ministry of culture has added Chhau dance” in a list of classical dances making it a total of 9 classical dances in India.
- Chhau dance is a semi classical dance with martial and folk traditions. It is found in three Indian states named after their location: 1) The Mayurbhanj Chhau (Odisha) 2) The Saraikella Chhau (Jharkhand) and 3) The Purulia Chhau (West Bengal).
- It should be noted here that the people wear masks while performing “Purulia Chhau.”
- The Indian classical dances have two basic aspects – Tandava (movement & rhythm) and Lasya (grace, bhava & rasa).
- Here, We are providing you with 8 classical dances in India, associated states of these classical dances and some of their famous exponents. list of classical dances of India state wise pdf
| Classical dance | State | Some famous exponents |
| Kathak | Uttar Pradesh | Birju Maharaj, Sambhu Maharaj, Lacchu Maharaj Sitara Devi, Damayanti Joshi. |
| Manipuri | Manipur | Jhaveri Sisters, Guru Bipin Singh, Nirmala Mehta, Savita Mehta |
| Sattriya | Assam | Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Guru Jatin Goswami, Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev, Late Pradip Chaliha |
| Odissi | Odisha | Sonal Mansingh, Kelucharan Mohapatra, Deba Prasad Das. |
| Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh | Kaushalya Reddy, Dr. Vempatti Chinna Satyam, Smt. Vijaya Pandit. |
| Bharatnatyam | Tamil Nadu | Rukmini Devi Arundale, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Padma Subramaniam. |
| Kathakali | Kerala | Kalamandalam Gopi, Kanak Rane, Kavungal Chathunni Panicker. |
| Mohiniyattam | Kerala | Sunanda Nair, Jayaprabha Menon, Radha Dutta Pallavi Krishnan. |
Folk Dances of India (State-Wise)
| State | Folk Dance |
| Ladakh | Kathok Chenmo, Spao dance, Takshom/Shon dance, Loshon, Pigeon dance, Balti dance, Chham dance, Shondol dance |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Rauf, Hikat, Hafiza, Dumhal, Bhand Pather, Kud dance, Bacha Nagma |
| Himachal Pradesh | Dangi dance, Chhanak Chham, Nati dance, Thoda dance, Mala dance, Dangli, Mahasu, Jhainta, Chharhi, Stick dance, Demon dance |
| Assam | Bihu, Bagurumba, Bhortal dance, Jhumur dance, Ali-Ai Ligang |
| Manipur | Lai Haraoba, Nat Rash, Manipuri dance (Love story of Radha & Krishna), Ras Leela, Thang Ta ,Nupa dance, Pung Cholam dance, Khamba Thoibi, Dhol Cholam |
| Meghalaya | Laho dance, Shad Nongkrem, Baagla, Behdienkhlam dance |
| Mizoram | Chapchar Kut, Bamboo dance, War dance, Zanglatam, Cheraw, Khantumm dance |
| Nagaland | Bamboo dance, Zeilang, Rangma, Sua Lua dance, Khaiva, Nuralim, Leshalpaptu dance |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Popir dance, Lion & Peacock dance, Buliya, Hiirii Khaning, Solang, Bardo Chham |
| Bihar | Jhijiya, Sama Chakewa, Jat-Jatin, Fagua, Domkach, Bakho-Bakhain, Jadur, Chhau |
| West Bengal | Kirtan, Gambhira, Purulia Chhau, Jatra, Lamba, Santhali Dance, Mundari dance, Ganga Baidya, Kukri Nritya., Brita dance. |
| Haryana | Loor Dance, Ghoomar dance, Ras Leela, Chaupaia, Jhumar dance, Phag dance, Saang dance |
| Gujarat | Dangi dance, Garba, Tippani, Bhavai, Hoodo, Matukadi, Padhar, Padhiyar |
| Punjab | Bhangra, Gidda, Luddi, Jhoomer, Dankara/Gatka dance, Kikkli, Malwai, Sammi. |
| Rajasthan | Ghoomar dance, Kalbelia, Suisini dance, Fire Folk dance, Kacho Ghodi folk dance, Kathputli folk dance |
| Uttar Pradesh | Nautanki, Raslila, Khyal dance, Kajri, Jhora, Charkula dance , Mayur Nritya/ Peacock dance |
| Maharashtra | Tamasha, Lavani dance, Kathakeertan, Lezim, Dindi dance, Dhangari, Gondhal. |
| Odisha | Paika dance, Danda Nacha, Ghumar, Chhau Nacha, Ghumura dance, Gotipua dance, Chaiti Ghoda dance, Bagh dance. |
| Chattisgarh | Sua Nacha, Pandavani, Raut Nacha, Panthi dance, Saila dance, Gendhi |
| Jharkhand | Jhumair, Mardana Jhumair, Janani Jhumair, Domkach, Lahasua, Chhau, Santhali, Danga, Mundari, Jhika, Paika dance, Fagua |
| Madhya Pradesh | Khada Nach, Phulpati, Matki dance, Jawar, Lehangi, Saila, Karma dance |
| Andhra Pradesh | Dhimsa dance, Dappu, Ghanta Mardala, Vilasini Natyam, Veera Natyam, Burrakatha, Dhimsa, Tholu Bommalaata |
| Karnataka | Yakshagana, Veeragase, Huttari, Suggi Kunitha, Nagamandala, Bayalata, Ummatt-aat, Komsale, Goravara Kunitha |
| Kerala | Mohiniyattam, Ottamthullal, Theyyam Kathakali, Kaliyattam, Kaikottikali, Pandhyani, Koodiyattam, Tappatikkali |
| Tamil Nadu | Bharatnatyam dance, Snake dance, Kolattam, Pinnal Kolattam, Kavadi, Nandakam, Oyi-attam, Bommal-attam, Puliyattam/ Tiger dance. |
| Goa | Dashavatara, Dekhni, Fugdi, Dhalo, Dhangar, Corredinho, Mandi, Goff |
| Minicoy | Lava, Dandi, Bandiya, Fuli |
List of Indian Dance Forms 2023: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1) Which is the oldest classical dance forms of India?
Ans. Bharatnatyam of Tamil Nadu is the oldest classical dance forms of India.
Q2) What is the oldest classical dance form of Maharashtra?
Ans. The main folk dance of Maharashtra are Lavani, Tamasha, Lezim & Gondhal.
Q3) How many classical dance forms are there in India?
Ans. There are 8 classical dances in India. They are: Manipuri, Sattriya, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali & Mohiniyattam. However, Ministry of Culture has added “Chhau Dance” to the list of Classical dance making it a total of 9 classical dances.
Q4)What is Chhau Dance?
Ans. Chhau dance is a semi classical dance with martial and folk traditions. It is found in three Indian states named after their location: 1) The Mayurbhanj Chhau (Odisha) 2) The Saraikella Chhau (Jharkhand) and 3) The Purulia Chhau (West Bengal).