Indian folk dances,[1] which typically consist of a few simple steps, are performed throughout the world to celebrate a new season, childbirth, weddings, festivals, and other social occasions. In some Indian folk dances, men and women perform separately; in others, they dance together. On most occasions, the dancers will sing accompanied by musicians. Most folk dances have intricately designed costumes. Although a number of structured, ancient folk and tribal dances exist, many others are evolving.
TheSutradhari (సూత్రధారి) is the most important actor in aYakshagana, and plays multiple characters. Yakshaganam evolved intoHarikatha, and they are considered synonymous. Their dances are similar; one person plays from excerpts fromPalkuriki Somanatha,Srinatha, and others. Harikatha consists ofsamvaadam (సంవాదం; discussion),padyam (పద్యం; poetry), anddaruvu (దరువు; rhythm). It typically begins with "భక్తజనులారా! వినండి హరికథ! వినగ వేడుక గలిగే" ("O devotees! Listen to this Harikatha and be delighted!") Those involved inHarikatha Kalakshepam (హరికథా కాలక్షేపం) are known asHarikatha Dasu (హరికథ దాసు) orHarikatha Bhagavatar (హరికథ భాగవతార్). InAndhra Pradesh, the first Harikatha artist is believed to have beenGokulapati Koormanathakavi (గోకులపాటి కూర్మనాథకవి) from the state's northern districts, who wrote and popularised theMrityunjaya Vilaasam (మృత్యుంజయ విలాసం).[2][unreliable source?]
Bidesiya is a form of dance-drama that is believed to have been created byBhikhari Thakur, a barber with a passion for drama.[6] It deals with social issues and conflict between traditional and modern, rich and poor.
Domkach is performed in the bridegroom's house by women during a marriage ceremony.
Phagua is a dance and also a type of folk song performed duringHoli.
Jat-Jatin is the most popular folk dance ofNorth Bihar, especially in theMithila. It is performed by a man and a woman; the man is going far away to work. The dance reflects poverty and sorrow.
Jhijhiya is sung and danced duringDurga Puja in theMithila region. Folks dance with an earthen pot with holes that have a lamp inside in their heads. It is invoked to ward off evil as well.
Kajri is popular in Bihar'sBhojpuri-speaking region. It often describes a woman's longing for her lover as the blackmonsoon cloud hangs in the summer sky, and is sung during the rainy season.
Paiki evokes the infantry's agility, courage, and excitement. Danced on flat ground, it highlights the dancers' weapon-handling ability.
Sohar (A Maithili Folk Song) is sung and danced by women to celebrate the birth of a child.
Raut Nacha is a traditional folk dance usually done byYadavs, a caste which considers itself descendants ofKrishna, as an expression of worship. Performed forDev Udhni Ekadashi (the gods' awakening after a brief rest), it resembles Krishna'sraslila.Pandavani, Panthi, Suwa dance is also folk dance.[7]
Fugdi in a Goan folk dance performed by the women in theKonkan region during the Hindu religious festivalsGanesh Chaturthi andVrata or near the end of other dances, such asDhalo.[8][9]
Timli, a Gujarati folk dance performed by Adivasi children inKaleshwari,Mahisagar
Dandiya Raas is an energetic, vibrant dance which originated inGujarat. Often called the "stick dance" because it uses polished sticks(dandiya), it represents a mock fight between the goddessDurga and the demon kingMahishasura. It is nicknamed "the sword dance" because thedandiya represent Durga's swords and are struck together.[10][11] The combination of garba and raas has become popular at the collegiate level in the United States, and garba-raas competitions are increasing in number. Popular competitions include Raas Chaos (in Washington D.C.),[12] and Raas Rodeo (in Austin, TX).
Garba is customarily performed by both sexes, and sometimes includes the stick dance. With circular movements and rhythmic clapping, it is often performed duringNavratri. Its name comes fromgarbha deep, which means "light in the inner temple" or "lamp in a perforated earthen pot" (often used in the dance).[10][13] Garba which is the renowned folk dance of Gujarat is an integral part of Navratri Celebrations.It has earned the 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (ICH) tag fromUnesco. The garba of Gujarat is the 15th ICH element from India to be inscribed on the Unesco list.[14]
TheTippani dance originated in the Chorwad region ofSaurashtra. Working women take a wooden rod (sometimes tipped with iron at one end) and beat the floor with it.[15]
The Jammu and Kashmir region is blessed with natural and cultural beauty. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has many folk dances performed on different occasions.
The main folk dance performed in the Jammu region are- Kud Dance, Chajja Dance, Crow Dance, Dogri Bhangra etc.
Dumhal is a ceremonial dance performed by men of theWattal tribe. Dancers wear long, colourful robes and tall, conical caps studded with beads and shells. They move in a procession, carrying a banner. The banner is buried and the men dance, forming a circle, accompanied by singing and a drum.
Chhau dance is a semi-classical Indian dance with folk traditions which originated in the eastern states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. It has three styles, named for the locations where they are performed: Purulia Chau in Bengal, Seraikella Chau in Jharkhand, and Mayurbhanj Chau in Odisha.
Firkal is a martial dance, performed in some parts of Jharkhand and Odisha.
Duffmuttu is performed by the Muslim community. Originated by theArabs, it is accompanied by Arabic music. The nameDuffmuttu is attributed to a drum known as adaff ortap.
Margamkali is performed by the state's Syrian Christians, primarily by women during marriage ceremonies.
Oppana, another Muslim dance, is usually a bridal group dance performed the day before the wedding and is particularly popular on theMalabar Coast. Young female relatives of the bride sing and dance around her, clapping their hands.
Theyyam is a form of ritual dance worship.Theyyam is derived from the MalayalamDaivam (god), and the dance is part of ritual, music, painting, sculpture, and literature. It is performed to worship the goddess Kali, often by men from thescheduled castes and tribes who have inherited the right to perform it.[22]
Thirayattam, performed in northern Kerala, is part of theatre, music, satire, face and body painting, masking, martial art, and ritual. It is performed inSouth Malabar'skaavukal (sacred groves) and village shrines.[23][24]
Ottan Thullal ("to jump about playfully") emerged during the 18th century and is a solo performance combining dance and recitation of tales from thePuranas in verse.
Padayani is a ritual theatre art form associated with Goddess temples in Kerala's Central Travancore region. The Padayani rituals are performed at night in the temple premises to appease Goddess Bhadrakali, whose fury has not abated since her victory over a mythical demon named Darikan. Each festival lasts seven to 28 days, depending on the number of villages participating and organizing it. In Malayalam, Padayani is composed of the words Pada and ani, which mean a group of soldiers and rows, respectively. It is believed that Padayani was performed by warriors trained in Kalaripayattu to frighten their enemies from the southern part of Travancore. As a result, this art form can be traced back to Kalaripayattu's rich martial art heritage.[26]
Grida dance - Performed when therabi crops are in bloom, the dance continues from morning to evening by village groups. It has three phases:
Sela – Slow, stiff foot movements
Selalarki – The foot movements become faster.
Selabhadoni – As the tempo accelerates, hands and legs move vigorously.[27]
TheMatki dance is performed in theMalwa region, primarily for weddings. A veiled woman performs the dance with an earthen pot (matki) balanced on her head, sometimes joined by other women. Variations are theAada andKhada Nach.[28]
ThePhulpati dance is performed by semi-rural, unmarried women in celebration of nature.[29]
Tertali is a ritual dance performed by theKamar tribe. It is generally performed by two or three veiled women who sit on the ground, sometimes with small swords clenched in their teeth and an ornamental pot on their heads.Manjira (small, metal cymbals) are tied to the body – primarily to the legs – and the dancers rhythmically strike them with a hand-held cymbal, accompanied by drums and singing.[30]
Pavri Nach (or Tarpha Nach) is aKokna tribal dance performed in the hills of north-westernMaharashtra, accompanied by the tarpha or pavri: a wind instrument made from a dried gourd.[31]
Lavani is a combination of traditional song and dance which is performed to thedholki drum. Noted for its powerful rhythm and eroticism, Lavani has contributed to the development of Marathi folk theatre.the famous songs are "Apsara Aali, "Wajle Ki Bara".[32] In Maharashtra and southern Madhya Pradesh, it is performed by women wearing nine-yard-long saris.[33] The songs are sung at a quick tempo.[33]
Chang Lo (also known as Sua Lua) is performed by theChang Naga ofNagaland, originally to celebrate victory in war. It is presently a part of community celebrations, such as Poanglem, a three-day festival preceding the harvest. Costumes include the traditional Naga warrior and female finery.[34]
Bagha Nacha, a tiger dance, is performed during festivals. Male dancers paint their skin with yellow and black stripes, like a tiger, and attach a tail.[36]
Garadi, a well-known dance inPuducherry, is performed at festivals. Its origin is a product of mythology; whenRama (hero of the epicRamayana) defeatedRavana, thevanars (monkeys) danced to celebrate his victory. Garadi is usually performed for five to eight hours. Dancers wearvanar masks, carry sticks and wear ten chiminganjali (iron rings) as they dance, accompanied by singing and two largeramadolu drums.[38]
Bhangra is one ofPunjab's most popular dances, and has become part of Asian culture. Originally associated withSikh farmers celebrating the harvest and accompanied by adhol, bhangra is now danced at any celebration with a variety of instruments; a number of regional variations exist.[39]
Kikkli is performed by two colourfully dressed girls who hold crossed hands and twirl each other in a circle (balancing their positions), accompanied by folk songs.[41]
Ghoomar is a traditional women's dance inRajasthan andHaryana. It is performed by groups of women in swirling skirts, accompanied by men and women singing. The dance gets its name fromghoomna, the spinning which displays the colourful, flowingghaghara (the long Rajasthani skirt).[42] ghoomer dance'
TheKachchhi Ghodi dance is primarily performed in theShekhawati region of north-easternRajasthan. The costumed horse and bandit dancers have mock fights while a singer narrates tales of local bandits. It is performed during weddings and other social occasions.[44]
Suisini
Suisini is a dance from Rajasthan originating from mediaeval India, in recent times it has almost disappeared.
Maruni, also popular inNepal,Darjeeling,Assam,Bhutan andMyanmar, is accompanied by musicians playing theNaumati Baja.[45]There are so many other dances like Ghantu dance,chu fauat,sikmari,Denzongcnenha,Khukhuri naach,chutkeynaach.
Bommalattam (puppet shows) is held in villages during festivals and fairs. Many kinds of puppets (such as cloth, wood, and leather), and they are manipulated with strings or wires. The puppeteers stand behind a screen, and the puppets are in front; the stories are from the puranas, epics, and folklore.[46]
Silambu is a hollow anklet made up of a metal filled with beads that produce noise when the wearer moves or dances.[47][48] InKai silambattam, the dancers wear anklets and hold a silambu in their hands to make noises while dancing.[49]
Karakattam is danced to praiseMariamman, the Hindu rain goddess. Dancers balance pots of water on their heads. There are two types of Karakattam. Aatta Karagam is danced with decorated pots on the dancers' heads and symbolises joy and happiness; Sakthi Karagam is danced in temples to praise Mariamman. Drums, singing and pipe instruments accompany the dancers.[50]
Kavadiattam is a often a ceremonial act of sacrifice and offering to Hindu gods especiallyMurugan.[51]Kavadi (meaning "burden" in Tamil) consists of two semicircular pieces of wood or steel which are bent and attached to a cross structure that can be balanced on the shoulders of the carrier and decorated with flowers and peacock feathers. By bearing the kavadi, the dancer implores the gods for assistance as a means of balancing a spiritual debt.[52]
Kummi, one ofTamil Nadu's oldest folk dances, is accompanied by hand-clapping rather than musical instruments. Women form a circle and dance; one sings, with the other dancers taking turns. A number of varieties exist. Kummi is danced at festivals and other special occasions.[53]
Mayilattam, or the peacock dance, is performed by girls dressed as peacocks at village festivals. Similar dances are Kaalai Attam (bull dance), Karadi Attam (bear dance), and Aali Aattam (demon dance) which are performed in the villages during village get-togethers. Vedala Aattam is danced in a demon mask.[54]
AlthoughOyilattam (dance of beauty) was traditionally performed by men, women have also begun dancing. Participants wearing ankle bells dance in a row, with musical accompaniment; the row lengthens as dancers join in. Oyilattam is most popular in the southern districts and theKongu Nadu region, and the dance has a variety of styles.[54]f>
Snakes are viewed as protectors. The snake dance is performed by girls dressed in a costume designed like a snake-skin. The dancers move like a snake, making quick biting movements with their head and hands; raised hands, held together, resemble the head of a snake.[54]
Puliyattam is a tiger dance in which young men paint their bodies and costume themselves as tigers, dancing to drums. The dancers sometimes pretend to capture a goat. A popular dance, Puliyattam is performed during temple festivals.[54]
Poikal attam is known as the false-leg dance. Dancers are attached to a dummy horse at the waist, with the dancer's two legs and their body prop resembling a rider on a horse. The dance illustrates stories from popular folklore.[56]
Theru Koothu is normally performed by men in an intersection during village festivals in the months ofPanguni and Aadi. The performance consists of story-telling, dialogues, songs, and dance. Its stories are taken from the puranas, epics such as theRamayana and theMahabharata, and local folklore. The play begins in the late evening, and lasts for several hours. Theru Koothu is popular in northern Tamil Nadu.[57]
Hojagiri is danced by the Tripuri reang(Bru) clan inTripura. Four to eight women dance acrobatically, while men provide most of the music; the women sing in chorus. The dancers twist and turn, sometimes dancing on an earthen pitcher or balancing a bottle on their heads with a lighted lamp on it.[59]
Sangraing Dance is dance by the Mog community clan inTripura. many boys and girls dance together and signging together.
TheRaslila, danced inNorth India (primarilyUttar Pradesh), is based on the life ofKrishna. Individuals and groups dance, accompanied by singing, chants and instruments. The audience claps and sings along, and the length of each performance varies.[60]
Gambhira originated among the Hindu community ofMalda, West Bengal. After thepartition of India,Chapai Nawabganj District inRajshahi became its centre.[61] Gambhira has undergone many changes in terms of the theme and style of its presentation.Muslims also became custodians of the dance, which became an integral part of their culture. Gambhira's themes include contemporary social problems and human weakness.
Bengal, especially in Rajshahi,Murshidabad andMalda district andJharkhand'sRajmahal hills. The song-and-dance performance is associated with the mid-AprilGajanShiva festival. The largely improvised performances, presented on an open stage late at night under lantern light, feature ribald humour and audience participation. Each Alkap group consists of ten to twelve performers led by asorkar (master). It includes two or three young malechhokras, one or twogayen (singers).[62]
Domni, performed inMalda district, begins with prayers. Its dances are known asnachari orlachari. The plays are extracts from small events of everyday life, presented satirically. Due to social changes, domni is waning in popularity.
Dhunuchi nritya is danced during theDurga Puja atVijayadashami. Women and men wear traditional Bengali dress and dance with a mud pot filled with burnt coconut shavings in praise ofDurga.
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