India’s 15 Most Popular Folk Dances of 13 States

Earlier we have share information about most popular dance forms of India as well as famous eight Indian Classical Dances. Here is the list of most popular folk dance forms of Indian states.

Raaslila, Uttar Pradesh

Raaslila or Rass dance is dedicated to Lord Krishna and part of the traditional story of Krishna with Radha. Manipuri classical dance and also Indian classical dance of Kathak are evolved from the Raslila of Braj, very popular form of folk theatre in Mathura, Vrindavana regions of Uttar Pradesh.

Theyyam, Kerala

Theyyam is a dance performance and combination of playing of musical instruments with drummers, makeup and the ritual song. There are approximately 400 types of Theyyam, Kathivanoor Veeran Theyyam is one of the most famous theyyam in Kerala.

Kathakali and Mohiniyattam are two most popular form of classical dance from Kerala, Part of the 8 Indian classical dance and covered against another article.

Ghoomar, Rajasthan

Ghoomar is the most popular traditional folk dance of Rajasthan, often performed on special occasions and religious occasions. The traditional folk dance performed by Bhil tribe but now became popular in the other parts of Rajasthan and also performed by women of other Rajasthani communities.

Kalbelia – Rajasthan

Kalbelia also known as Kabeliya is a traditional dance from of Rajasthan and integral part of their Kalbelia culture. Kalbeliya dancers are women in black skirts and male play musical instruments such as dufli, been and dholak.

Lavani, Maharashtra

Lavani folk dance from Maharashtra is a combination of traditional song, instrument, powerful rhythm and dance. Traditionally Lavani performed by the female wearing nine yard long sarees with heavy jewellery, juda, red color bindi and the sari is called nauvari style.

Bihu, Assam

Bihu dance is the folk dance from Assam, Performed in a group during the festival of Bihu and an important part of Assamese culture. Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu, Kati Bihu, Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu are three important religious festivals of Assam, Rongali Bihu is the most important of the three and also the festival Bihu dance with Bihu folk songs.

Bagurumba – Assam

Bagurumba folk dance of Bodo tribe in Assam is another traditional dance, performed by Bodo women with their colourful costume. This is the traditional dance of Bodo people along with other important dances like Sikri sikla dance, Daosri delai dance and Bardwisikhla dance.

Cheraw Dance, Mizoram

Cheraw dance is a cultural and traditional dance of Mizoram, performed by group of people holding a pairs of bamboo on the ground. The beating bamboos dance is the most famous and beautiful dance form of Mizoram and performed on every occasion.

Bhangra, Punjab

Bhangra dance originating in the Majha area of Punjab, associated with the spring harvest festival of Baisakhi. The traditional dance of Punjab is one of the folk dances of Punjab, Sammi, Giddha, Kikli, Jugni, Jaago and Gatka, an Indian martial art being others.

Gidda – Punjab

Gidda is the most popular folk dance of women in Punjab and a very colourful dance, performed during the festive or social occasions along with clapping and traditional folk song.

Garba, Gujarat

Garba dance of Gujarat is actually performed during the festival of Navaratri, around a picture the Goddess Shakti or a lit lamp. Toady the modern garba is influenced by Dandiya Raas and also a merger of both high energy dance.

Dandiya – Gujarat

Raas or Dandiya Raas is another most popular traditional folk dance form of Gujarat, associated with Lord Krishna and Radha, related to Rasa lila or Rass dance. Dandiya dance is now an important part of Navaratri in Gujarat along with Garba.

Raut Nacha, Chhattisgarh

Raut Nacha is a folk dance, mainly performed by Yadavas as a symbol of worship to Lord Krishna. The dance originated from the state of Chhattisgarh and a very popular tribal dance of the state, performed during the dev udhni ekadashi.

Dumhal, Jammu and Kashmir

Dumhal also known as rauf fold dance, performed by the Rauf tribe in Jammu and Kashmir. The folk dance is very popular among the people of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and also a beauty of the land of Kashmir.

Matki Dance, Madhya Pradesh

Matki dance of Madhya Pradesh is a solo dance form, performed by ladies during the special occasion or weddings, birthdays. This dance is mostly performed in the Malwa region by the by the nomadic tribes of Madhya Pradesh.

Nati, Himachal Pradesh

Nati dance of Himachal Pradesh is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as largest folk dance and very popular in whole Himachal Pradesh as well as in Chandigarh.

Other well known Indian folk and tribal dances are Bardo Chham of Arunachal Pradesh,Kajari dance form in Bhojpuri,Fugdi folk dance of Goa,
Charba dance of Himachal Pradesh,Hulivesha dance form of coastal Karnataka, Veeragasedance form of Karnataka,Chang Lo of Nagaland,
Kachchhi Ghodi folk dance of Shekhawati region Rajasthan,Garadi folk dance of Puducherry,Jhumair folk dance of Jharkhand and Thirayattam, Padayani of Kerala.