India is a culturally rich country and is the embodiment of ‘unity in diversity’. Every state contributes to the art and culture by way of its regional language/s, cuisine, architecture and various art forms like music, painting, dance etc. There are so many art forms in our country that one might feel it is a tiresome job remembering all of them; and this is especially true for the dances of India. Also, questions on dances find a regular presence in the General Awareness section of Mains stage of various competitive exams. So to help you in this regard, we have come up with some tricks that will help you remember the various dances of India. In this article, we have listed the dance forms of India – classical Dances of India and folk dances of India – and some tricks that can prove handy when recalling these dances.
We have six classical dances of India from six different states. They have been historically important for the local culture and hence have earned a special status of being known as ‘Classical Dances’ of Indi
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Dance is a poem of which each movement is a word
Mata Hari
| Classical Dance of India | State |
| Bharatanatyam | Tamil Nadu |
| Kathak | Uttar Pradesh |
| Kathakali | Kerala |
| Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh |
| Manipuri | Manipur |
| Odissi | Odisha |
Kali(Kathakali) left Kerala to join her brother Bharat(Bharatnatyam) in Tamil Nadu. They ate P udi AND(Andhra Pradesh) went UP(Uttar Pradesh) to see Kathak dance.
We have tabulated the folk dances of India from various states in the table below. Alongside are some tricks to help you memorize the folk dances of India state-wise.
| Folk Dances of India | State | Trick |
| Kolattam, Veeranatyam, Burra Katha, Andhra Natyam | Andhra Pradesh | Veera and Kola wear the Burqa ( Burra ) in Andhra |
| Ponung, Daminda, Wancho, Taapu, Bardo Chham, Khampti, Rikhampada, Lion and Peacock dance | Arunachal Pradesh | Wancho and Taapu dance to Bardo’s rhythm at the Ponung Dam; while Khampti and Rikha watch Lion and Peacock dance |
| Bihu, Jhumair, Bagurumba, Deodhani, Bhortal, Ankiya Nat | Assam | Bihu, Bagu, Ankiya and Dhani work at the Jhum farm during bhor (‘morning’ in Assamese) time |
| Bidesia, Jhumari, Jhijhian, Kajari, Paika, Sohar-Khilouna | Bihar | Jhijhian, Jhumari and Kajari went to Bides (abroad) to earn paisa (money) and buy khilouna (toy) for Sohar |
| Saila, Karma, Panthi, Sua Nacha | Chhattisgarh | Saila, Panthi and Sua Nach believe in Karma’s Chhattis (36) promises |
| Dalo, Goff, Diwli Nach, Ghode, Dashavtara | Goa | At the Goa beach, during Diwali (Diwli) days, Ghode tried to dalo (putting in) the golf ( goff ) ball into the bag |
| Garba, Dandiya, Bhavai, Tippani, Hudo, Padhar | Gujarat | Bhavani (Bhavai) gave tips ( Tippani ) in Gujarat i to Hudo and Anpadh (padhar) for Garba and Dandiya |
| Phag, Saang, Chhathi, Khoria, Ghoomar, Jhumar, Loor | Haryana | Jhumar and Ghoomar sang (Saan g) ‘ Chhathi ka Loor’ song at the Phag Khora in Haryana |
| Dangi, Chhanak Chham, Jhora, Jadda | Himachal Pradesh | In Himachal’s Chhanak Chham , Jadeja ( Jadda ) wearing a Lungi ( Dangi ) danced jhora |
| Santhali, Jhumar | Jharkhand | Santa ( Santhali ) danced jhumar on Christmas in Jharkhand |
| Yakshagana, Nagamandala, Dollu Kunitha | Karnataka | Naga, Dolly (Dollu) and Sunita (Kunitha) lived with Yaksha in Karnataka |
| Mohini attam, Kakkarissi Kali, Dappu Kali, Kolkkali, Vela Kali, Kaduva Kali, Sarpam Thullal, Bhadrakali Thullal, Kolam Thullal, Thumpi Thullal | Kerala | Neighbours of Mohini in Andhra: |
1) Kali family: Kakka, Dappu, Vela, Koli
2) Thullal family: Kolam, Sarpa, Thumpi, Bhadra
That was all from our side in this blog of dances of India. Stay tuned for more such interesting tips and tricks with regard to various competitive exams!
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