Tribal and folk dances of India are not just a dance form but rather a way of life for Indians – each of them has a deep-rooted history and culture wrapped within it. These dances paint the most fascinating canvas shaded by the vivacity and deep-rooted culture of India.
Dance is an art that helps you express your ideas that you cannot express in words. It is a way of life and certainly a way of pure happiness. India has a long list of folk dances. Here are some of the popular dances of India by state.
1. BHANGRA
Bhangra is one of the most popular and traditional folk dances of India that has marked its presence all over India and even in certain parts of the world. Bhangra doubles the joy of any special occasion in Punjab. However, you will witness it in all its glory at the Vaisakhi festival during the harvest season.
A Dhol (double-headed drum) and a Chimta are the musical instruments required for Bhangra. Men generally wear Kurta and Tehmat and carry a turban to complete their looks. Girls wear long flowing clothes accompanied by elegant jewellery. The dance costume is vividly colourful and each colour symbolises something.
2. CHHAU
Chhau dance is part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of India. This tribal dance form glorifies Eastern India, predominantly Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand, with its spectacular dance moves. Chhau dance is based on martial arts, mock combat, acrobatics and storytelling. The story generally revolves around the Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
The major attraction of the Chhau dance is the masked and armed performers. They hold a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. A brightly coloured Dhoti with a flared bottom is the traditional attire for both men and women. Chhau dance is the essence of Gajan festival and Sun festival. However, performances take place throughout the year.
3. GARBA
Garba, originating from Gujarat, is one of the most popular and traditional folk dances of India and is primarily a dance of beautifully dressed women in embroidered Ghagra and Choli forming a circle and performing the Garba. If you want to see Garba in all its glory, visit Gujarat during Navratri.
Clapping in unison and singing the songs in praise of Goddess Durga is the essence of Garba. Almost every step of Garba ends with a clap. Drum, harmonium and Naal are the musical instruments required for Garba.
4. DUMHAL
Dumhal dance represents the culture of Jammu and Kashmir with grace. It is a men's dance. All the boys dress up in multi-coloured clothes and then dance, singing the songs themselves loudly. The resounding drum beats in between send the energy level of the participants through the roof.
5. RAAS LEELA
The Raas Leela dance form belongs to the city of Krishna where love blossoms in all its glory and is the most popular folk dance of North India. If you want to dive into the deepest ocean of love, visit Mathura during Janmashtami.
In each performance, you will see a girl/boy dressed as a Krishna with a flute in his/her hand and peacock feathers on the crown. A group of girls, dressed in Ghagra, Choli along with a Dupatta, perform as Gopis.
6. GHOOMAR
Ghoomar is a tribal dance of the Bhil community of Rajasthan, but it gradually made its way into the royal palaces. Ghoomar is a women's dance, mainly performed at Teej and other festivals. However, it also marks social occasions with its vibrancy.
The women dress up completely in traditional Rajasthani attire and perform in a group. Their finely embroidered and mirror-studded long skirt plays an important role in the Ghoomar dance. The heavy jewellery and eye-catching bangles add more beauty to their Ghoomar look.
7. BIHU
Unlike other tribal and folk dances of India, the Bihu dance involves fast hand movements and some complex steps. The performers of the Bihu dance are men and women of the same age. The Bihu dance marks the change of seasons and is performed only three times in a year.
The fun of Bihu dance would be bland without a loud Dhol, horn and a Gagana (a necessary instrument made of bamboo). All the performers wear the same dress from the colour to the design. It is the beauty of Bihu folk dance. Generally, all the women wear mustard and red coloured Saree while their male counterparts are dressed in Dhoti and Kurta of the same colour. Also, the men complete their look with a pink coloured headband.
8. LAVANI
Lavani is a musical genre that glorifies Marathi folk theatre, characterized by its poetic songs and fast-paced dance moves. Lavani performances usually last for the entire night.
Lavani performers are always women who dance to the pulsating beat of Dholak. All the performers wear the nine-yard Saree in typical Marathi style and are adorned with glittering gold jewellery.
9. GHUMURA
Among all, Ghumura is the most prominent and popular of the traditional tribal dances of Odisha. Vividly dressed boys perform Ghumura on Dussehra to celebrate victory over evil. Classified by some complex dance moves, Ghumura dance is said to be a war dance. It has deep roots from the times of Ramayana.
10. RAUT NACHA
Chhattisgarh represents its cultural heritage in a striking dance form 'Raut Nacha' that fosters unparalleled devotion to Krishna and illustrates it in the form of a folk dance on the occasion of 'Dev Uthani Ekadashi'. The historical combat of Kansa and Krishna is the main theme of this dance form.
The performers dress up as warriors carrying metal shields and perform in a remarkable manner. In addition, the passionate songs in the form of couplets (Doha) bring the performances to life.
11. KARAKATTAM
Unlike other tribal and folk dances of India, Karakattam requires more effort to be performed perfectly. Mainly, women perform this dance in the honour of the rain goddess Mariamman.
The girls wear elegant saris of bright colours and decorate them with garlands. From their hair to their wrists, they can be seen magnificently adorned with flowers. Most importantly, they put a vividly decorated flower pot on their heads.
12. YAKSHAGANA
Yakshagana is actually a folk theatre of Karnataka. It is also quite different from other tribal and folk dances of India. From the melodic music to the exuberant dance movements and from the spontaneous expressions to the thoughtful dialogues, a performance of Yakshagana will enthrall you in its hypnotic aura.
Besides the dance moves, the performers' multi-colored costumes are the biggest eye-catcher. They are usually dressed in royal attire.
Yakshagana performances always spin the mythological tales from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas with an entertaining texture.
13. VEERANATYAM
Earlier, Veeranatyam was a ritual of the Vajramushti community. But today, it has taken an extensive art form. It is actually a tribute to the almighty Shiva. As the dance is about Shiva, it is extremely vigorous. The dancers make it even more invigorated with their soulful performance. It is often accompanied by continuous chanting of Shiva mantras and some echoing musical instruments.
14. GAMBHIRA
When it comes to folk dances, West Bengal has a long list to mark its presence. Among all of them, Gambhira is the most spectacular. Though it is more of a theatrical art, it also involves some transferable dance moves. There are 2-3 artists who set the stage on fire with their mesmerizing acts.
The theme of the performances always revolves around social, political and everyday problems of society. Their representation is so fascinating that it will take you into a trance for a moment.
15. FUGDI
Fugdi dance is one of the best tribal dances of Goa. Fugdi is performed by middle-aged women on a religious festival like Ganesh Chaturthi. They form a circle and perform on their own. Musical instruments and songs are not needed. Women sing the songs themselves.
16. LAHO
Laho is a folk and tribal dance of Meghalaya performed by the Jaintia community during auspicious festivals. It is a couple folk dance. Men and women dress in colourful dresses and dance together.
Unlike other tribal and folk dances of India, the Laho dance does not require a drum or any musical instrument. Usually, the performers recite the rhythmic couplets themselves. The dance begins at a slow pace. As it progresses, it gains momentum and ends at a high tempo.
17. HOJAGIRI
Tripura presents its unique art through its Hojagiri tribal dance. The dance is performed by 5-6 young girls on the occasion of the Hojagiri festival. In fact, it is a religious ceremony to appease Laxmi.
The dance steps of Hojagiri are complex, such as bending up and back. This is the beauty of this dance.
18. DHOL CHOLOM
Dhol Cholam is often performed in Buddhist monasteries, and the themes of the dance are always Buddhist stories. A group of young men with swords and shields in their hands perform Dhol Cholam during Holi. It is primarily a form of tribal war dance. The dance performance is stimulating in nature and always requires a drum.
19. NAMAGEN
Namagen is the essence of the state. The Kinnauri tribal community of Himachal Pradesh performs the Namagen dance during the month of September to celebrate the arrival of autumn.
Apart from the enchanting music, the interesting thing about this dance is the woolen costumes of the dancers. Unlike other tribal and folk dances of India, Namagen requires several musical instruments.
20. HURKA BAUL
Amidst the untouched magnetism of the snow-capped mountains and the soothing calm of Uttarakhand, check out the Hurka Baul dance to witness a different facet of Uttarakhand. It is a seasonal dance, performed as a ritual during the cultivation of paddy and maize. A group of exquisitely dressed boys or girls perform the dance in the different fields on a fixed day. A singer recites the heroic stories of the battles and the performers enact the narrative with their evocative movements.
21. PADAYANI
Padayani is a ritual dance with a mix of music, drama, painting, devotion and of course, dance. Padayani is performed on the banks of the Pampa River at Bhadrakali temples to commemorate their religious history.
The performers, wearing large face masks, dressed in traditional clothes and singing the melodic songs, are truly a sight to behold. To make it more dynamic, the melodious sounds of Thappu (the main instrument of Padayani) leave no stone unturned.
22. GAUR
Gaur dance is popular among the hunter tribes. In fact, it symbolizes the spirit of hunting that never dies. Generally, people from the hunter tribe make the announcement of Gaur dance by blowing a horn and a bamboo trumpet. Afterwards, they put on strange tribal dresses and play the tunes of their own music.
The interesting part of Gaur dance is the deafening sound of the drum. With its fascinating movements and spontaneous tempo of the music, Gaur dance captivates the audience.
23. BARD CHHAM
Among all the tribal and folk dances of India, Bardo Chham is different because it has its own dance style. This ritual is performed by men and women during traditional festivals and ceremonies to eradicate evil forces.
People dress in traditional costumes and wear distinctive animal masks. They then dance and act out a dramatic struggle between good and evil. Their masks represent the innate quality of that animal.
24. SINGHI CHHAM
The Bhutia community of Sikkim beautifully depicts their majestic culture through the Singhi Chham dance. The snow lion plays an important role in this dance. It is a kind of ritual that is performed every year in September during the worship of Kanchenjunga.
The performers put on esoteric lion costumes and then dance vigorously. A drummer adds more magic to the dance.
25. PAIKA
Paika dance is a martial art of the indigenous Munda people, an unmatched fusion of unity and war. The people of this community gather together and show their skills with different weapons. They hold swords and shields in their hands and then perform the dance.
26. JHIJHIYA
Jhijhiya dance is performed by Bihari women to appease Indra when there is no rain and the lands are cracked. To perform this ancient dance, women dress in traditional attire and put earthen lanterns on their heads. They keep a lighted lamp inside the lanterns. Then, they perform in a group. Also, percussion instruments and harmonious music add flavor to the performance.
