Classical Dances of India

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

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 Pudi AND(Andhra Pradesh) went UP(Uttar
Pradesh) to see Kathak dance.

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Folk Dances of India

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

Andhra Veera and Kola wear the Burqa (Burra)

Kolattam, Veeranatyam, Burra Katha, Andhra Natyam
Pradesh in Andhra

Wancho and Taapu dance

Ponung, Daminda, Wancho, Taapu, Bardo Chham, Khampti, Rikhampada, Lio Arunachal to Bardo’s rhythm at the Ponung Dam;
n and Peacock dance Pradesh while Khampti and Rikha watch Lion and
Peacock dance

Bihu, Bagu, Ankiya and Dhani work at

Bihu, Jhumair, Bagurumba, Deodhani, Bhortal, Ankiya Nat Assam the Jhum farm during bhor (‘morning’ in
Assamese) time

Jhijhian, Jhumari and Kajari went

Bidesia, Jhumari, Jhijhian, Kajari, Paika, Sohar-Khilouna Bihar to Bides (abroad) to earn paisa (money) and
buy khilouna (toy) for Sohar

Chhattisgar Saila, Panthi and Sua Nach believe

Saila, Karma, Panthi, Sua Nacha
h in Karma’s Chhattis (36) promises

At the Goa beach, during Diwali (Diwli)

Dalo, Goff, Diwli Nach, Ghode, Dashavtara Goa days, Ghode tried to dalo (putting in) the
golf (goff) ball into the bag

Bhavani (Bhavai) gave tips (Tippani)

Garba, Dandiya, Bhavai, Tippani, Hudo, Padhar Gujarat in Gujarati to Hudo and Anpadh (padhar)
for Garba and Dandiya

Jhumar and Ghoomar sang (Saang)

Phag, Saang, Chhathi, Khoria, Ghoomar, Jhumar, Loor Haryana ‘Chhathi ka Loor’ song at the Phag Khora in
Haryana

In Himachal’s Chhanak Chham, Jadeja

Himachal
Dangi, Chhanak Chham, Jhora, Jadda (Jadda) wearing a Lungi (Dangi)
Pradesh
danced jhora

Santa (Santhali) danced jhumar on

Santhali, Jhumar Jharkhand
Christmas in Jharkhand

Naga, Dolly (Dollu) and Sunita (Kunitha)

Yakshagana, Nagamandala, Dollu Kunitha Karnataka
lived with Yaksha in Karnataka

Mohini attam, Kakkarissi Kali, Dappu Kali, Kolkkali, Vela Kali, Kaduva Kali, Kerala Neighbours of Mohini in Andhra:
Sarpam Thullal, Bhadrakali Thullal, Kolam Thullal, Thumpi Thullal
1) Kali family: Kakka, Dappu, Vela, Koli
2) Thullal family: Kolam, Sarpa, Thumpi,
Bhadra

Muria, wearing Ahiri Lehanga,

Madhya with phul (flowers) in a matki (pot), goes
Matki, Karma, Tertali Muria, Ahiri, Lehangi, Phul Pati
Pradesh to Madhya temple as she fears her
bad Karma

Kala and Koli performed Dindi just after

Dindi, Koli, Lavani, Kala, Lezim, Dashavtar Maharashtra the Dashavtar Lezim programme and just
before Maharashrian Lavani

Maibi and Thaibi cholo (went) for

Pung Cholom, Maibi, Khamba Thaibi, Raslila Manipur
the Raslila event in Manipur

Lahoo (blood) was streaming out of

Nongkrem, Dorsegata, Lahoo Meghalaya
the Non-Dorsal part of Meghalayan Leopard

The Alam family from Mizoram had 4

Khuallam, Zangtalam, Sarlamkai, Parlam Mizoram
members: Sarlam, Zangta, Khual and Parla

Getting and taming a Naga Hornbill is

Temangnetin, Gethinglim Nagaland
illegal!

With an Odia kathi (stick)

Naga, Ghumra, Danda Nata, Jhumar, Kathi Odisha and danda (hand), Ghumra (went) to see
the Naga Jhumar

Punjabis love drinking

Bhangra, Jhumar, Luddi Punjab Lassi (Luddi) and jhuming (dancing) Bhangr
a

There were char (four) Bhawai Rajas

Ghoomar, Chari, Kathputli, Bhawai Rajasthan (kings): 2 went for Kathputli; the other 2
went for Ghoomar

4 members of Attam family in Tamil

Karagattam, Kolaattam, Kavadiattam, Devarattam Tamil Nadu
Nadu: Karaga, Kavadi, Kola and Deva

Dappu and Perini brought their lamb to the

Dappu, Lambadi, Perini Sivatandavam Telangana
Sivtandavam clinic.

Hoza dialled (Dailo) Bizu and Garia while

Bizu, Garia, Jhum, Hozagiri, Sangrai, Dailo Tripura
they sang and jhum (danced) in Tripura

Raslin Khyal (thought) of eating Chapatis so

Uttar
Raslila, Ramlila, Khyal, Nautanki, Swan, Dadra, Charkula, Chappeli he offered UP char (four) to Nautan, Dadra,
Pradesh
Swan and Ram

Uttarakhand’s Garhwal (Garwali) is famous

Hurka Baul, Garwali Uttarakhand
for Hurka Bowl (Baul)

Gambhir and Rabha halted at Saint Ganga

Chhau, Gambhira, Santhal, Ganga Baidya, Lathi, Rabha West Bengal
Baidya’s Chhau near the Bengal Lathi

Some important tips to remember Dances of India

 The dance form that starts or ends with Kali is generally from Kerala
 The dance form that ends with attam (except Mohiniattam and Kolattam) are from Tamil Nadu.