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Popular Dance Forms in India (Folk & Classical)
Dance in India comprises numerous styles of dances, generally classified as classical or folk.
As with other aspects of Indian culture, different forms of dances originated in different parts of India, developed according to the local traditions and also imbibed elements from other parts of the country.
Sangeet Natya Academy, the national academy for performing arts in India, recognizes eight traditional dances as Indian classical dances, while other sources and scholars recognize more.
These have roots in the Sanskrit text Natya Shastra, and the religious performance arts of Hinduism.
| Classical dance | State of Origin | Famous Dancers | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
Bharatnatyam |
Tamil Nadu | Rukmini Devi, Padma Subrahmanyam, Vyjayanthimala, Sheema Kermani, Hema Malini, etc. | Traditionally, Bharatanatyam has been a solo dance that was performed exclusively by women, and expressed Hindu religious themes and spiritual ideas, particularly of Shaivism, but also of Vaishnavism and Shaktism. |
Kathak |
Uttar Pradesh | Birju Maharaj, Nahid Siddiqui, Sambhu Maharaj, Lacchu Maharaj, Gopi Krishna, Saswati Sen, etc. | Kathak is traditionally attributed to the traveling bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathakas or storytellers. Three distinct forms - Jaipur, Benares and Lucknow. |
Kuchipudi |
Andhra Pradesh | Mallika Sarabhai, V. Satyanarayana Sarma, Deepa Shashindran, etc. | In its history, the Kuchipudi dancers were all males, typically Brahmins, who would play the roles of men and women in the story after dressing appropriately. |
Odissi |
Odisha | Sujata Mohapatra, Madhavi Mudgal Kelucharan_Mohapatra Surendra Nath Jena. | Odissi is traditionally a dance-drama genre of performance art, where the artist(s) and musicians play out a mythical story, a spiritual message or devotional poem from the Hindu texts, using symbolic costumes, body movement, abhinaya and mudras. |
Kathakali |
Kerala | Kalamandalam, Krishnan Nair, Ramanakutty Nair, etc. | This classical dance form is another "story play" genre of art, but one distinguished by its elaborately colorful make-up, costumes and face masks wearing actor-dancers, who have traditionally been all males. |
Sattriya |
Assam | Krishna Nritya | The plays are usually performed in the dance community halls (namghar) of monastery temples (sattras). The themes played relate to Krishna and Radha, sometimes other Vishnu avatars such as Rama and Sita. |
Manipuri |
Manipur | Yumlembam Gambhini Devi, Guru Bipin Sinha, Darshana Jhaveri, Nirmala Mehta etc. | It is particularly known for its Hindu Vaishnavism themes, and performances of love-inspired dance drama of Radha-Krishna called Ras Lila. |
Mohiniyattam |
Kerala | Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, Shobhana, Sunanda Nair, Kalamandalam Radhika, Thankamani, Kalamandalam Hymavathy. | Mohiniyattam follows the Lasya style described in Natya Shastra, that is a dance which is delicate, with soft movements and feminine. |
Folk dances are numerous in number and style and vary according to the local tradition of the respective state, ethnic or geographic regions.
| State | Folk Dances |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Vilasini Natyam, Bhamakalpam, Veeranatyam, Dappu, Tappeta Gullu, Lambadi, Dhimsa, Kolattam. |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Buiya, Chalo, Wancho, Pasi Kongki, Ponung, Popir |
| Assam | Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga dance, Khel Gopal. |
| Bihar | Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya |
| Chhattisgarh | Gaur Maria, Panthi, Raut Nacha, Pandwani, Vedamati, Kapalik |
| Gujarat | Garba, Dandiya Raas, Tippani Juriun, Bhavai |
| Goa | Tarangamel, Koli, Dekhni, Fugdi, Shigmo, Ghode, Modni, Samayi nrutya, Jagar, Ranmale |
| Haryana | Jhumar, Phag, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khor. |
| Himachal Pradesh | Jhora, Jhali, Chharhi, Dhaman, Chhapeli, Mahasu |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Rauf, Hikat, Mandjas, Kud Dandi Nach |
| Jharkhand | Alkap, Karma Munda, Agni, Jhumar, Janani Jhumar, Mardana Jhumar, Paika, Phagua |
| Karnataka | Yakshagana, Huttari, Suggi, Kunitha, Karga |
| Kerala | Ottam Thullal, Kaikottikali |
| Maharashtra | Lavani, Nakata, Koli, Lezim, Gafa, Dahikala Dasavtar |
| Madhya Pradesh | Jawara, Matki, Aada, Khada Nach, Phulpati, Grida Dance, Selalarki, Selabhadoni |
| Manipur | Dol Cholam, Thang Ta, Lai Haraoba, Pung Cholom |
| Meghalaya | Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Nongkrem, Laho |
| Mizoram | Cheraw Dance, Khuallam, Chailam, Sawlakin, Chawnglaizawn, Zangtalam |
| Nagaland | Rangma, Zeliang, Nsuirolians, Gethinglim |
| Odisha | Savari, Ghumara, Painka, Munari |
| Punjab | Bhangra, Giddha, Daff, Dhaman, Bhand |
| Rajasthan | Ghumar, Chakri, Ganagor, Jhulan Leela, Jhuma, Suisini, Ghapal |
| Sikkim | Chu Faat, Sikmari, Singhi Chaam or the Snow Lion, Yak Chaam, Denzong Gnenha, Tashi Yangku |
| Tamil Nadu | Kumi, Kolattam, Kavadi |
| Tripura | Hojagiri |
| Uttar Pradesh | Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli |
| Uttarakhand | Garhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Raslila |