The Indian culture is very rich, and dance is one of the most expressive elements of this culture. From temples to village fairs, people always use dance to narrate their history, festivals and expression. In case one wants a dances of India list as a whole, he or she will discover grace, rhythm and tradition in each region.
In this paper, the key Indian dance styles, such as classical and folk dances, have been described in simple and clear terms.
Table of Contents
What is Special about Indian Dance?
Indian dancing is not merely a practice of movement. It usually involves narration, facial expressions, gestures (mudras) and music. Every dance is a manifestation of the culture, beliefs, and way of life of a certain region.
In general, Indian dances can be classified into two categories:
- Classical dances of India
- Folk dances of India
Both are significant elements of the classical Indian dances.
Classical Dances of India
Classical dances of India are more organised, and they are strict. They tend to be linked with ancient literature such as the Natya Shastra. These dances are centred on facial expressions, narrations and body movements.
Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu)
Bharatanatyam is among the ancient Indian dances. It began in the Tamil Nadu temples. Strong footwork, hand movements, and facial expressions are used to narrate mythological stories by dancers. It is characterised by its stilted posture, steep movements and elaborate expressions.
Kathak (North India)
Kathak is of Indian origin and is story-based. The term Kathak is derived from the word Katha, which means story.
In this dance, there is fast footwork, rotation, and expressive movements. It is also influenced by Mughal culture, particularly in costumes and music.
Kathakali (Kerala)
Kathakali is a form of dance-drama in Kerala. It has a reputation for vibrant make-up, huge costumes and elaborate expressions on the face. They are mostly accounts of epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Dancers work a long time to master the movements of the eyes and face.
Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh)
Kuchipudi is a combination of dance and drama. It started as a dance drama by male artists. It comprises elegant steps and fast feet. In other cases, dancers use a brass plate, which is very difficult to balance.
Odissi (Odisha)
Odissi is associated with smooth movement. It is based on temple sculptures in Odisha. The dance has a special pose known as tribhangi, in which the body is bent in three places. It narrates frequently about Lord Krishna.
Manipuri (Manipur)
Manipuri dance is non-aggressive and religious. It is largely connected with the life of Lord Krishna and Radha. The gestures are rather gentle and soft, and the dresses are plain but beautiful.
Mohiniyattam (Kerala)
Mohiniyattam is a tremendous dance, performed predominantly by women. It originated in Kerala and is characterised by gentle body gestures and facial expressions. The dance is centred on love and devotion, usually with mythological stories.
Sattriya (Assam)
Sattriya is an Assamese traditional dance. It was brought into the monasteries and was a religious practice. It incorporates storytelling, music and dancing, and it is currently also played on stage.
Folk Dances of India
The Indian folk dances are livelier and attached to life. They are done in festivals, weddings, and celebrations. The dances do not stand close but are very active compared to the classical dances.
Bhangra (Punjab)
Punjabi dance is popularly known as bhangra dance. It is energetic, and it was sung during the harvest seasons, such as Baisakhi. The dancers are also dancing along the dhol beats and appear to be happy and excited.
Garba (Gujarat)
Garba is done in Gujarat during Navratri. Individuals are euphoric in circumambulating a lamp or idol. It is a ditty dance, which is an indicator of holiness and celebration.
Dandiya Raas (Gujarat)
It has the other Gujarati Dance called Dandiya, which is also celebrated in the Navratri. Dancers (dandiya sticks) are most frequently danced to the music in pairs.
Ghoomar (Rajasthan)
Ghoomar is one of such traditional Rajasthan dances. The ladies are dressed in coloured dresses and spin around at their magnificence. It is primarily performed at festivals and weddings.
Lavani (Maharashtra)
Lavani has rhythm and an expressive performing style with speed. The narration is also presented by a beat of a drum known as dholki. The dance is prone to discussing social and emotional issues.
Kalbelia (Rajasthan)
This dance is referred to as Kalbelia, and it is used in the Rajasthan tribe, which is called the Kalbelia tribe. The movement of the dance resembles that of a snake. It is rather dynamic, and it is accompanied by fast spins and body bends.
Chhau (Eastern India)
Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal are such states that have a tribal dance known as Chhau.
It is a fusion of martial arts, narration and dancing. The use of masks is one of the styles that are involved, and this seems to be audacious.
Yakshagana (Karnataka)
Yakshagana is a Karnataka dance, drama, and music collective. The actors create costumes in such a way that they appear detailed and narrate mythological tales in the form of a dance and speech.
Intense significance of the Traditional Indian Dances.
The culture is significant to maintain the original way of dancing of the Indians. They unite individuals with their identity and transmit tales of one generation to the next.
They are also applied during these dance forms that encompass:
- Maintaining regional identity.
- Discipline and expression should be taught.
- Uniting societies in fetes.
One who watches the Indian dances can easily conclude that dance is integrated into the daily lives of Indians.
What are the forms of Indian Dances?
There are hundreds of styles of dance in India. The figure will only increase because there are still those groups that are perpetuating their cultures.
Whenever searching through the number of dances of India, in most cases, the list includes the most vital and common classical and popular folk dances. There are, in fact, 8 known classical dances, and folk dances are currently found in every region.
Comparison between Folk Dance and Classical Dances.
The distinction comes in handy in the formula for acquiring the entire list of dances of India. Classical dances are based on strict rules, education, and prehistoric literature. They are narrative, word and style-oriented.
Folk dances are not that serious, yet they are danced to rejoice and to celebrate. They illustrate the way of life of individuals in an area.
This is why Indian Dance Forms are still popular.
These forms of dances can also be discussed in schools, on a stage, and become popular on the internet world nowadays.
- People never stop learning them as they give them.
- A way to express emotions
- Correlation between history and culture.
- A form of physical activity
These traditions are becoming popular among many young learners in remembering, but the classical dances of India and the cross-cultural folk dances of India are also popular.
States |
Dances |
Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
NICOBARESE DANCE |
|
Andhra Pradesh |
Kolattam |
|
Arunachal Pradesh |
Bardo Chham |
|
Assam |
Bihu dance |
| Jumur Nach | |
| Bagurumba | |
| Ali Ai Ligang | |
|
Jharkhand |
Karma/Munda |
|
Chhattisgarh |
Panthi |
| Raut Nacha | |
| Gaur Maria Dance | |
|
Goa |
Dashavatara |
| Dekhni | |
| Dhalo | |
| Dhangar | |
| Fugdi | |
| Ghodemodni | |
| Goff | |
| Jagar | |
| Kunbi | |
| Mando | |
| Muslam Khel | |
| Perni Jagar | |
| Ranamale | |
| Romta Mel | |
| Divlyan Nach (Lamp dance) | |
| Veerabhadra | |
|
Gujarat |
Garba |
| Padhar | |
| Raas | |
| Tippani Dance | |
|
Himachal Pradesh |
Kinnauri Nati |
| Namgen | |
|
Haryana |
Swang |
| Khoria | |
| Gugga | |
| Loor | |
| Sang | |
|
Karnataka |
Yakshagana |
| Bayalata | |
| Dollu Kunitha | |
| Veeragaase dance | |
|
Kashmir |
Dumhal |
|
Lakshadweep |
Lava |
|
Madhya Pradesh |
Tertali |
| Charkula | |
| Jawara | |
| Matki Dance | |
| Phulpati Dance | |
| Grida Dance | |
| Maanch | |
|
Maharashtra |
Pavri Nach |
| Lavni | |
| Dhangri Gaja | |
| Povadas | |
| Koli | |
| Tamasha | |
| Dindi | |
| Kala | |
| Dangi | |
|
Manipur |
Thang Ta |
| Dhol cholom | |
| Manipuri | |
|
Mizoram |
Cheraw Dance |
|
Nagaland |
Chang Lo |
| Sua Lua | |
|
Odisha |
Ghumura Dance |
| Ruk Mar Nacha | |
| Goti Pua | |
| Nacnī | |
| Odissi | |
| Danda Nacha | |
| Baagh Naach | |
| Tiger Dance | |
| Dalkhai | |
| Dhap | |
| Ghumra | |
| Karma Naach | |
| Keisabadi | |
|
Puducherry |
Garadi |
|
Punjab |
Bhangra |
| Giddha | |
| Malwai Giddha | |
| Jhumar | |
| Karthi | |
| Kikkli | |
| Sammi | |
| Dandass | |
| Ludi | |
| Jindua | |
|
Rajasthan |
Ghoomar |
| Kalbelia | |
| Bhavai | |
| Tera tali | |
| Chirami | |
| Gair | |
|
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 | |
| Oyilattam | |
| Puliyattam | |
| Poikal Kudirai Attam | |
| Bommalattam | |
| Theru Koothu | |
|
Tripura |
Hojagiri |
|
West Bengal |
Gambhira |
| Kalikapatadi | |
| Nacni | |
| Alkap | |
| Domni | |
| Chhau | |
|
Uttar Pradesh |
Kathak |
| Chappeli | |
| Kajri |
FAQs
What are the significant traditional Indian dances?
There are Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam and Sattriya, which are classical dances. These have been reputed to be structured in history.
In India, are there not very wide varieties of dancing?
There are hundreds of different forms of dance in India. Although there are 8 classical dances, the folk dances differ between the states and the societies.
What is the difference between classical and folk dances?
Even the classical dances are stiff and refer to being connected with the old books. The folk dances are also less serious, and these dances are danced during festivals as well as in other events.
What is the most common Indian folk dance?
Bhangra and Garba are the two folk dances that are the most popular and are very celebratory.
But what was the use of having Indian traditional dances?
They can be used to save culture, transmit tales and unite individuals. They also enable one to become sentimental and imaginative.
Final Thoughts
The dances in India are not just a list of names. It is a demonstration of the diversity and richness of the country. From the detailed expressions of classical dances to the lively energy of folk dances, each of them has its own story.
The Indian dance forms are more explanatory about the culture and tradition that have been relevant even to date, in case someone is learning, watching, or reading about them.