Folk Dances India

Apart from this various world famous classical dances, India also is the hub of innumerable folk dance forms that have survived since ages and are popular even today. They are the mirror of our ancient culture, civilization and history.

Every region of India is rich with a variety of folk dance forms.

Folk Dances in North India
Dumhal is an important folk dance of the Kashmiris. This dance is performed both by men and women in colourful costumes.

Hikat and Namagen are well known folk dance forms of Himachal Pradesh. In both the folk forms man and women perform in close associations.

Hurka Baul is a folk dance form of the state of Uttar Pradesh. This dance form is performed during the paddy and maize cultivation.

Chholiya a famous dance form of Kumaon in Uttar Pradesh is performed during marriages.

Who hasn't heard of the folk dance of Bhangra, of course if not in real life most of us have experienced it seeing on the silver screen. Bhangra is the folk dance of Punjab and is famous worldwide because of vibrancy and energy level. Jhoomer and Luddi apart from Bhangra are also famous folk dances of Punjab.

Folk Dances in North East India
Bihu, Hajgiri, Nongkrem, Dhol-Cholam are some of the popular folk dance forms of north east India.

Folk Dances in North West India
Dandiya is the folk dance of Rajasthan. This dance shows the great energy and vigour of the people of Rajasthan. The performers are dressed up in colourful attires and play skillfully carrying big wooden sticks in their hands. Ghumer dance, Raika and Jhoria are other dances of the 'Bhils' of Rajasthan. Similar to the Bhils are the Mina tribe who are known for the Gher Dance, while the Garasias are famous for the 'Valar' dance.

Tera Tali is another folk dance of Rajasthan where two or three women of 'Kamar' tribe perform the Tera Tali. They dance with manjiras tied to their bodies and mostly on the legs. The women folks cover their heads with a veil.

Folk Dances in South India
Kummi and Kolattam are the famous folk dance forms of Tamil Nadu, performed by the tribal women of the state during festivals.

Kargam is another folk dance of Tamil Nadu. This dance is mostly performed by men who through their dance try to please the Goddess of health and rain.