JAMMU AND KASHMIR
• Rauf – by women folk of the Kashmir valley
• Damali/Dhambali - By men; Fading away except special occasions of few
Sufi saints
• Dumhal - By men of Wattal tribe
• Hikat
RAUF DAMALI DUMHAL
LADAKH
• Jabro - Done by Changpas. Integral part of Losar (Tibetan New Year)
• Cham - Component of Buddhist celebrations in Ladakh
• Shondol - Royal dance of Ladakh;
• Spao, Koshan, Lharna
JABRO CHAM SHONDOL
HIMACHAL PRADESH
• Charba - during Dussehra
• Chham - by Buddhist monks
• Thoda - based on martial arts, dance of archery
• Nati, Dangi, Chapeli, Jhora, Jhali, Jhamakhra
NATI DANGI
UTTARAKHAND
• Bhotia Dance, Dandala, Chamfuli, Dhusaka and Dhurang, Badra Nati
• Chholia Dance - by boys and men at marriage processions
• Pandava dance - during Dussehra and Deepawali
• Tharu dance - to welcome newly-married couple
• Chanchari - related to Garhwal and Almora region
• Jhoda dance - specially during Holi
• Hurkiya baul - community dance during sowing season Pandava
Chholia Chanchari
• Bhangra
PUNJAB
• Giddha – Female counterpart of male bhangra
• Jhoomar – by tibal Sikhs. Harvest dance. Movement of arms most
important. Brought in India by traders from Balochistan
• Kikkli
Bhangra Giddha Kikkli
HARYANA
• Loor – by girls
• Phag – by agricultural folk
• Gugga – devotional – Gugga Pir
• Jhumar, Daph, Dhamal, Khoria
LOOR
UTTAR PRADESH
• Raslila – around Radha Krishna and Gopis
• Nautanki, Kajri
• Dadra – semi classical form; popular in coutesans of Lucknow region
Raslila
RAJASTHAN
• Ghoomar – Initially by women of Bhil tribe
• Kalbeliya – moves similar to serpents. ‘Been’ popular instrument.
• Terah Taali, Kachhi Ghodi, Chari, Gair, Kathputli, Neja, Jhulan Leela,
Jhuma, Ghapal, Suisini, Bhavai
Ghumar Kalbeliya Kachhi Ghodi
GUJARAT
• Garba – during Navratra; Garba refers to ’Garbha Deep’ – earthern pot
with holes in which lamp is lit and women dance around in a circle
• Dandiya Ras – Sticks used; depicts mock fight between Durga and
Mahishasur
• Bhavai , Tippani Juriun, Hudo
Garba Dandiya Ras
MAHARASHTRA
• Lavani,
• Koli – by Koli fisher folk
• Lezim, Gafa, Nakata, Dahikala, Dasavtar or Bohada
Lezim Lavani
Chhau ODISHA
• Sangeet Natak Academy recognises 8 classical dances, while Ministry of
Culture recognises Chhau dance also in that list.
• Semi classical with martial, tribal and folk traditions
• Originates from Chhaya meaninig shadow. Vigorous martial movements.
Usually mask in used and based on mythological stories. 3 main styles:
– Mayurbhanj Chhau – Odisha
– Saraikella Chhau – Jharkhand
– Purulia Chhau – West Bengal
• Got inscribed in UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage of Humanity in 2010
ODISHA
• Paika – Martial folk dance of Southern Odisha. Word Paika signifies
Battle
• Danda-Jatra (Danda Nata) – one of oldest folk arts of India. Only by
males. Pray Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva during Danda period
• Dalkhai – mostly during Dussehra
• Munari, Savari, Ghumara, Jhumar
Danda-Jatra Paika
WEST BENGAL
• Gambhira, Kirtan Dance, Alkap, Dhali, Jatra, Domni,
Dhunachi, Purulia Chhau
Purulia Chhau Alkap
• Paika , Saraikella Chhau JHARKHAND
• Mundari Dance – usually to celebrate newly married, Mundari tribe
• Damkach Jhumta, Damkach
• Janani Jhumar – during cultivation
• Mardana Jhumar – after harvest
• Karam Naach – Kadam Tree worship, Chhota Nagpur Plateau
• Jhika, Danga, Baroa
Mardana Jhumar Karam Naach Mundari Dance
BIHAR
• Jat-Jatin – especially in Mithila region. Represents affection and quarrel
of married couple
• Bidesia – on social evils
• Jumari – similar to Gujarati garba
• Fagua, Paniki, Bakho-Bakhain, Biraha
• Sohar – on child birth
• Jhijiya - for rain
Jat-Jatin
MADHYA PRADESH
• Jawara – harvest dance, Bundelkhand region. Includes balancing Jawar
basket on head.
• Matki – women solo dance – balancing earthen pots on head. Variants –
Aada Nach, Khada Nach
• Phul Pati – unmarried girls
• Grida, Charkula
Jawara Matki
CHHATTISGARH
• Gaur Maria - men & women of Bison Horn Maria tribe. Imitates
movement of Bison.
• Raut Naach – by Yadav community, during Diwali
• Panthi – by Satnami Community, devotees of Guru Ghasidas
• Saila, Sua, Gendi
Gaur Maria Panthi
Raut Nacha
SIKKIM
• Singhi Chham (Snow Lion Dance) – tribute to Kanchenjunga peak
• Chu Faat – Chu means snow range, Faat means worship
• Yak Chham, Richunma, Maruni
Singhi Chaam Yak Chham
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
• Aji Lamu, Chalo, Hiirii Khaniing, Popir, Ponung, Pasi Kongki,
Rekham Pada, Roppi
Aji Lamu
NAGALAND
• Chang Lo (Sua Lua), Khamba Lim
• Rangma (bamboo dance) – war dance of Nagas
• Zeliang, Khaiva
Chang Lo Zeliang
MANIPUR
• Thang Ta – Martial dance. Thang – Sword, Ta - spear
• Pung Cholom (Drum Dance)
• Luivat Pheizak Dance
• Shim Lam Dance (fly dance)
• Rakhal, Nat Rash, Maha Rash, Raukhat
Thang Ta Pung Cholom
MANIPUR
Luivat Pheizak Dance Shim Lam Dance
MIZORAM
• Cheraw Dance – very old, bamboo sticks used
• Zangtalam, Sarlamkai/Solakia, Chailam
Cheraw Dance
MEGHALYA
• Laho, Shad Suk Mynsiem, Baglaa, Nongkrem
Dance
Laho Nongkrem
TRIPURA
• Bijhu - Bijhu means 'Chaitra-Sankranti’-denotes end of Bengali
calendar year
• Garia – for happy harvest
• Wangala Dance - after harvest
• Lebang Boomani, Hojagiri, Hik-Hak
Hojagiri Wangala
ASSAM
• Bihu – men & women in group. Rapid hand movement.
• Bagurumba (Butterfly dance) – Bodo community
• Deodhani – worship of the snake goddess Manasa
• Bhor Tal Nritya, Jhumur (tea folks), Natpuja, Bichhua,
Hobjanai
Bihu Bagurumba
GOA
• Tarangamel – during Dussehra & Holi. Use of rainbow like costumes
and colorful flags
• Fugdi – in Konkan region, during festivals by women
• Dhangar – during Navratri
• Dekhni, Dhalo, Kunbi, Romta Mel, Corredinho, Bhandap,
Ghode Modni, Ranmale, Goff, Dashavatara
Fugdi Dekhni
KARNATAKA
• Yakshagana - traditional theatre form of dance drama based on
mythological stories and Puranas
• Dollu Kunitha – Kunitha means ritual dance. By shephard
community called Kuruba
• Pata Kunitha – Mysore region. Religious dance by men. Use of long
bamboo poles decorated with ribbons (pata)
• Suggi Kunitha, Puja Kunitha (Bangalore)
• Veeragase, Bhootha Aradhane, Kamsale (Mysore)
Yakshagan Kunitha
ANDHRA PRADESH
• Burrakatha/ Jangam Katha – dance narration
• Butta Bommalu – Butta means basket toys. Dancers wear toy like
masks. West Godavari district.
• Kolattam/ Kolannalu - Stick dance
• Andhra Natyam, Veera Natyam (veerabhadra)
• Mathuri – by Mathuri tribe of Adilabad district
• Garalu, Bathkampa (marriages), Bhamakalpam, Lambadi,
Dhimsa, Dappubagham
ANDHRA PRADESH
Burrakatha
Kolattam
Andhra Natyam
TELANGANA
• Perini Sivatandavam – typical war dance by males
• Burrakatha/ Jangam Katha – dance narration
• Chindu Bhagvatam
• Dappu Nritya, Lambadi, Dhimsa, Mayuri
• Gusadi – by Gondulu tribes
• Tholu Bommalata – shadow puppet
Lambadi
Perini Sivatandavam
KERELA
Mudiyettu (मडु ीयेट्टू)
• Ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala
• Based on mythological tale of a battle between the
goddess Kali and the demon Darika
UNESCO Representative List of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity in 2010
यनु ेस्को की मानवता की अमूतत साांस्कृततक
ववरासत की प्रतततनधि सूची
KERELA
• Mayilattam – Kerala & Tamil Nadu. Mayil means peacock (peacock
dance)
• Kummi – Kerala & Tamil Nadu. By women during Pongal & festivals. No
music, dance on Rhythmic clapping.
• Kaikottikali – temple dance at Onam to celebrate harvest
• Padayani – martial dance in temples of South Kerala. Padayani means
rows of Infantry/soldiers. Dancers wear huge masks (Kolam).
• Kolkali-Parichakali – martial dance in South Kerala & Lakshadweep.
Kol- stick, Paricha – shield. Enact fight sequence with mock weapons
• Theyyam, Koodiyattam, Oppana, Ottam Thulal,Velakali
KERELA
Kummi
Mayilattam
Padayani
TAMIL NADU
• Mayilattam, Kummi, Bommai Attam (Puppet Show)
• Thol Pavai Koothu – 400 year old art, Deerskin/goat skin puppets
perform this dance
• Karakattam - Rain goddess Mariamman is praised
• Puliyattam (Tiger dance)
• Poikkal Kudirai Aattam (dummy horse dance)
• Kai Silambu Attam, Devaraattam, Parai Attam, Kavadi attam,
Oyilattam
TAMIL NADU
Pavai Koothu Karakattam Parai Attam
