The culture of India is often described to be an amalgamation of several cultures spanning across the Indian Sub-continent influenced by the history of several millennia. This varied cultural aspect is reflected in the music and dance forms. The Music and Dance forms an integral part of the colorful cultural aspect of Indian heritage.
Dance in India can be broadly divided into 2 distinct forms:
- Classical dance form– having their origin in the religious activities of the past. Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of performing Arts, recognizes 8 distinctive forms of Traditional Dance i.e. Indian Classical Dance.
- Folk dance– numerous in number and style and vary in accordance to the local tradition, the state, ethnic or geographical regions.
Classical Dance of India
Dance Name | State |
Bharatanatyam | Tamil Nadu |
Kathak | North India |
Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh |
KathaKali | Kerala |
Odissi | Odisha |
Sattriya | Assam |
Mohiniyattam | Kerala |
Manipuri | Manipur |
Folk Dances of India
Dance Name | State |
Andhra Pradesh | Kolattam |
Arunachal Pradesh | Bardo Chham |
Assam | Bihu Jhumur nach (tea garden workers) Bagurumba (Bodo Community) Ali Ai Ligang (Mishing community) |
Chhattisgarh | Panthi Raut Nacha |
Gujarat | Garba Padhar Raas Tippani Dance |
Himachal Pradesh | Kinnauri Nati Namgen |
Haryana | Ghoomar |
Karnataka | Yakshagana Bayalata Dollu Kunitha Veeragaase dance |
Kashmir | Dumhal |
Lakshadweep | Lava |
Madhya Pradesh | Tertali Charkula Jawara Matki Dance Grida Dance Maanch Gaur Maria Dance |
Maharashtra | Pavri Nach Lavani |
Manipur | Thang Ta Dhol cholom |
Mizoram | Cheraw Dance |
Nagaland | Chang Lo or Sua Lua |
Odisha | Ghumura Dance Ruk Mar Nacha (& Chhau dance) Goti Pua Dhap Karma Naach Ghumra Keisabadi |
Punjab | Bhangra Malwai Giddha Jhumar Dandass Jindua |
Rajasthan | Ghoomar Kalbelia Bhavai |
Sikkim | Singhi Chham |
Tamil Nadu | Kamandi or Kaman Pandigai Devarattam Kummi Mayil Attam or Peacock dance Paampu attam or Snake Dance Puliyattam Poikal Kudirai Attam Theru Koothu Bommalattam |
West Bengal | Kalikapatadi Domni |
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