Dance Forms of India – List of Dances of India with States

Dances of India

Whether it be folk or classical dance, India has diverse dances of India based on different traditions. India is home to some of the world’s most diverse civilizations and customs. Also, the country experiences four seasons, and there are dances for each.

Dance forms of India PDF

For the harvest season, practically every state has its dance. There are many folk dances of India that vary from each other on the basis of geographical regions, ethnicity, and respective state while the classical dances are mostly confined to Hindu spirituality.

Origin of Dance Forms of India

The dance forms of India can be discovered back from ancient eras. The dancing figures were witnessed in the cave paintings of Bhimbetka rock burrows in Madhya Pradesh. Even the sculptures of the Indus Valley Civilization signified dancing figures.

The text concerning the dances of Indian origin can be seen in Natya Shastra. The text composed by sage Bharata dated back to the 2nd century AD, which gives recognition to Lord Brahma for the invention of Indian dance forms taking wisdom from the 4 Types of Vedas.

Types of Indian Dance forms

India is known for its richly diverse cultural heritage. The dance form of India is one culture with a rich form all across the nation. In India, every state has its form of dance enriching the idea of unity in diversity. It is divided into two different forms:

• Classical Dance Form: There are 8 classical forms of Indian dance.
• Folk Dance Form: There are more than 30 popular folk dance forms of India.

Different Dance Forms of India with States

Here’s a fact. Dancing is an integral part of India’s rich cultural legacy and heritage. It has been a celebrated art form since prehistoric times and is a simple demonstration of joy and human expression. Since India is an extremely culturally diverse land, it’s no surprise that the dance forms are equally diverse and unique.

Every state in our country has a distinct culture and identity, reflected in the different food, language, clothes, and dance form of India. Let’s look at the different dances of India from various states that mirror their local customs and ethnic identity. Here is a list of the 29 Indian states and their respective dance forms:

Number of States	Indian States	Dances of India state wise
1	Andhra Pradesh	Kuchipudi
2	Assam	Sattriya, Bihu
3	Arunachal Pradesh	Bardo Chham
4	Bihar	Bidesia
5	Chhattisgarh	Karma Naach
6	Gujarat	Garba
7	Goa	Dekhni
8	Haryana	Saang
9	Himachal Pradesh	Nati
10	Jammu and Kashmir	Rouf
11	Jharkhand	Paika
12	Kerala	Kathakali
13	Karnataka	Dollu Kunitha
14	Manipur	Manipuri dance (Jagoi)
15	Madhya Pradesh	Maanch
16	Maharashtra	Lavani
17	Meghalaya	Laho
18	Mizoram	Cheraw
19	Nagaland	Chang- Lo
20	Odisha	Odissi
21	Punjab	Bhangra
22	Rajasthan	Ghoomar
23	Sikkim	Singhi Chaam
24	Tamil Nadu	Bharatanatyam
25	Telangana	Dandari
26	Tripura	Hojagiri
27	Uttarakhand	Choliya Dance
28	Uttar Pradesh	Kathak
29	West Bengal	Chhau

Classical Dance of India with States

As per the source and scholars, there are 8 types of classical dances in India. Classical dance is said to be originated from Natya Shastra. Legends like Shanta Rao and Birju Maharaj are known for their excellence in these dance forms.

Here is the list of the classical dance of India, along with their basic technicalities and the states:

Classical Dance of India	State of Origin
Bharatnatyam	Tamil Nadu
Kathak	Uttar Pradesh
Kuchipudi	Andhra Pradesh
Kathakali	Kerala
Odissi	Odisha
Manipuri	Manipur
Sattriya	Assam
Mohiniyatta	Kerala

Bharatnatyam

It is one of the most popular classical dances of India. It is almost 2000 years old. It is believed that Lord Brahma revealed Bharatnatyam to Bharata, a famous sage who codified this sacred dance in a Sanskrit text called the Natya Shashtra.

• Natya Shastra divides dance into two distinct forms – nritta and nritya.
• The Bharatnatyam dance flourished in the Hindu temples of south India.
• The temple dancers are called Devadasis or servants of god.
• The present form of Bharatnatyam dance was evolved by Poniah Pillai of Tanjore and his brothers.
• Formats of Bharatnatyam consist of Alarippu (invocation), Jathi Swaram (note combinations), Shabdam (notes and lyrics), and Varnam (a combination of pure dance and abhinaya) lighter items like Padams and Javalis (all erotic) and finally the Thillana (again pure dance).

Kathak

Kathak is one of the major classical dances of India. It is the dance form of Uttar Pradesh, whose origin is attributed traditionally to ancient Pakistan and North India. These were popularly known as the storytellers or the Kathakars.

• The term Kathakars refers to the people who tell a story. But, the dance form of Kathak developed in India during the Bhakti movement and the Mughal period.
• They used to depict the stories of lord Krishna through their dance.
• Kathak is a particular dance of India that has survived a significant period as an oral tradition.
• It is passed on from one generation to the other orally and via practice.

The modern form of Kathak has three main sections:

• the invocation
• the abstract (pure) dance rectical
• Expressive dance.

Kuchipudi

The Kuchipudi dance form of India originated in the village of Kusselavapuri or Kuchelapuram, Andhra. It is a dance with drama act & has its roots in “Natya Shastra” (Literary comprehensive, and vivid work on the various facets of Indian classical dance by Bharat Muni). This dance of India runs on the theme of Bhagwata Purana but has a secular character.

Kathakali

It is considered one of the oldest dances of India and a native of Kerala (particularly in the southwestern region). Kathakali is another dance form that includes the genre of Story play art. It is distinguished from the other dance forms based on its appearance.

In Kathakali, the performers use bright costumes with colorful make-up and great face masks. The face masks are restricted to male Kathakali performers only.

Odissi

It is a dance-drama genre traditional/classical dance of India, also referred to as Orissa (as per India’s old literature). Its origin happened in history as a dance form in the temples of Odisha.

• It includes parts of the eastern coastal Indian states as well.
• In Odissi, the dance performers and musicians play a spiritual message, a historical story, or a devotional poem from the Hindu culture.
• This dance of India is famous for its mudras, abhinaya, body movements, and symbolic costumes.

Manipuri

Manipuri Raas leela or manipuri dance is a classical dance form of Manipur. This dance form involves the devotional stories of Radha Krishna of the Madhura Raas. The performers have gentle eyes, and their body movements and facial expressions are soft and peaceful.

The soft and peaceful movements symbolize the emotions of devotion (particularly emphasizing the Bhakti Rasa). Though Manipuri is a dance form based on Vaishnavism’s Hindu Shastras, this dance form is not only restricted to the Hindus.

Sattriya

Inspired by the Bhakti movement, the Sattriya dance depicts the mythological stories of Vishnu. Shankaradeva, in the 15th century A.D., introduced its modern form. It is a classical dance form of Assamese.

• It originated from Vaishnavism (this was Krishna-centered) and was attributed to the 15th century by the saint Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev and Scholars of the Bhakti Movement.
• It is mostly played in the dance community halls of temples.
• This Indian dance is a mixture of dance, drama, and ballads.
• The form includes expressions of virtues, spiritual ideas, and scripture’s essence.

Mohiniyatta

Mohiniyatta is a dance of India that was restricted to Kerala. Despite its popularity all over the south, it developed and remained in the state. It was named after the historical enchantress avatar of lord Vishnu- Mohini.

Mohini was a symbol of a woman who, with her feminine powers, helped in prevailing good over evil. It is a dance that depicts feminine, delicacy, and eros filling. Initially, it was a woman’s dance, but later, it was adopted by men.

Components of Classical Dance Forms of India

Modern styles of classical dance in India have developed from the sangeet-natak or musical plays performed from the 12th till 19th century. Movement and rhythm or Tandava and Lasya are the two basic components of the Indian classical dance form. The three fundamental elements are:

• Natya (Dramatic element or copying of characters)
• The Nritta (A basic form of dance movements)
• Nritya (Component of expressions i.e. gestures or mudras)

Bharat Muni authored The Natya Shastra which Indian aestheticians use to describe the dance features. The nine fundamental technicalities, known as Navarasas, that are portrayed in the classical dances of India are listed below.

9 Fundamental Technicalities	Meaning in Classical Dance
Adbhuta	Wonder
Bhayanaka	Fear
BiBhatsa	Disgust
Hasya	Humorous
Karuna	Compassion
Raudra	Anger
Shaant	Tranquility
Sringara	Love
Veera	Valor

Folk Dance of India State Wise

Folk Dance forms represent the culture of a particular area or community from where it originated. Some Indian folk dances are listed in UNESCO’s list of intangible cultures. A list of important folk dances of India with their states is mentioned below:

State	Folk Dances of India
Andhra Pradesh	Kuchipudi, Kolattam
Arunachal Pradesh	Bardo Chham
Assam	Bihu dance, Jhumur Naach
Jharkhand	Karma/Munda
Chhattisgarh	Panthi, Raut Nacha, Gaur Maria, Dekhni Dance
Goa	Koli, Dashavatara, Dekhni, Dhalo, Ghodemodni, Romta Mel, Divlyan Nach (Lamp dance)
Gujarat	Garba, Raas, Tippani Dance
Himachal Pradesh	Kinnauri Nati
Haryana	Saang, Ras Leela, Ghoomar, Jhumar, Teej, Phag, Dhamal
Karnataka	Yakshagana, Bayalata.
Kerala	Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, Koodiyattam, Thirayattam, Thitambu Nritham, Aravanmuttu, Padayani.
Madhya Pradesh	Jawara, Maanch, Grida, Tertali, Phulpati Dance, Matki Dance
Maharashtra	Lavni, Tamasha, Dangi, Pavri Nach, Povadas, Koli, Dindi
Manipur	Thang-Ta, Dhol Sholom
Mizoram	Cheraw Dance
Nagaland	Chang Lo or Sua Lua.
Odisha	Ghumura Dance, Ruk Mar Nacha (& Chhau dance), Goti Pua, Nacni, Odissi, Baagh Naach or Tiger Dance, Dalkhai, Dhap, Ghumra
Punjab	Bhangra, Giddh, Jhumar, Karthi, Ludi
Rajasthan	Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Bhavai, Kachchhi Ghodi.
Sikkim	Singhi Chham
Tamil Nadu	Bharatanatyam, Kamandi or Kaman Pandigai, Devarattam, Kummi, Kolattam, Karagattam or Karagam, Mayil Attam or Peacock dance, Paampu attam or Snake Dance
Tripura	Hojagiri
West Bengal	Gambhira, Nacni, Alkap, Domni, Chow

Difference Between Folk Dance and Classical Dances of India

You will find two broad categories of dances in India – classical and folk. And the significant difference in these dance forms is their place of origin. While classical dances originate from Natya Shastra, the ancient text for drama and theatre, folk dances usually come from different communities as they are created for celebratory purposes.

Both of these categories include a wide range of dance forms that make our culture even more beautiful and distinctive. Find out some critical differences between classical and folk dance in the table illustrated below.

Folk Dance of India	Classical Dance of India
Folk dance is associated with social gatherings and celebrations of agricultural harvest and more. Different communities perform these dances on happy occasions.	Classical dance is believed to be spiritual in nature. These are formal dance forms that take immense precision and discipline.
Folk dances can typically be performed by ordinary people and symbolize liberation and happiness.	Classical dances are challenging to learn and usually take years of training as they include many technical components and postures. Hence, they are performed by experts.
Folk dances are known for their joy, strength, and vigor.	Classical dances are known for grace, precision, and poise.
In India, around 30 different types of folk dances are performed in different regions and states.	There are mainly eight different classical dances that are performed in India.
Some examples of folk dances from different states include: Ghoomar, Kalbeliya – Rajasthan Bhangra, Giddha – Punjab Bihu – Assam Bidesia – Bihar Garba – Gujarat Lavani – Maharashtra Nautanki – Uttar Pradesh	The eight classical dances of India are: Kathak – Uttar Pradesh Odissi – Odisha Bharatanatyam – Tamil Nadu Kathakali – Kerala Kuchipudi – Andhra Pradesh Sattriya – Assam Manipuri – Manipur Mohiniyattam – Kerala

Dance Forms of India UPSC

There are a wide variety of dances in India. Dances of India UPSC is an essential topic for the IAS Exam with equal emphasis in the UPSC Prelims and Mains. You can learn about this topic and all the related topics by going through the NCERT Books for UPSC.

Learning the dances of India is of cultural and traditional importance. It is a vital section of the UPSC Exam. You can memorize the topic well and review your level of preparation by solving the UPSC Previous Year Questions.

Dance of India UPSC Questions

A few of the Dance of India UPSC Questions for UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains are as follows:

Questions for Prelims – Luddi dance is a dance form from which Indian state?

(a). Andhra Pradesh

(b). Bihar

(c). Rajasthan

(d). Punjab

Answer: Punjab

Question – Consider the following statements concerning Indian Classical dance forms:

1. Tandava and Lasya are two basic aspects of Indian classical dances.
2. Nritya is a dramatic element of the dance, i.e. the imitation of characters.

Which of the following given statements is/are not correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 & 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: 2 only

Question for Mains – Explain the different aspects of India’s traditional dance system.

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