Dances In India at a Glance

Dances in India
Dance in India has an unbroken tradition of over 2,000 years. Its themes are derived from mythology, legends and classical literature, two main divisions being classical and folk. Classical dance forms are based on ancient dance discipline and have rigid rules of presentation. Important among them are Bharat Natyam, Khathakali, Kathak, Manipur, Kuchipudi and Odissi.

Bharata Natyam
This dance derives its roots from Tamil Nadu and has developed into all over in India.

Kathakali
It’s a dance from Kerala


Kathak
It is a classical dance from revitalised as a result of the fusion of Mughal influence with Indian culture


Manipuri
This dance has contributed to delicate, lyrical style of dance called Manipuri.


Kuchipudi
It is a dance having origin from Andhra Pradesh

Odissi
This dance is from Orrisa, once practised as a temple dance, is today widely exhibited by artistes across the country

Folk and tribal dances are of numerous patterns: Both classical and folk dances owe their present popularity to institutions like Sangeet Natak Akademi and other training institutes and cultural organisations. The Akademi gives financial assistance to cultural institutions and awards fellowships to scholars, performs and teachers to promote advanced study and training in different forms of dance and music especially those which are rare

Various Tribal Dances In India
Following are the various tribal dances in India from different states


Dance : : State
Ankia Nat : : Assam
Bahaka wata : : Orrisa
Bhangra : : Punjab
Bhavai : : Gujarat, Rajasthan
Bihu : : Assam
Chakiarkoothu : : Kerala
Chakri : : Jammu & Kashmir
Chamar Ginad : : Rajasthan
Chappeli : : Uttar Pradesh
Chhau : : West Bengal
Chavittu natkam : : Kerala
Chiraw (Bamboo dance) : : Mizoram
Dahikala : : Maharashtra
Dandanate : : Orrisa
Damdiya ras : : Gujarat
Gangore : : Rajasthan
Garba : : Gujarat
Gidda : : Punjab
Gidda parhaun : : Himachal Pradesh
Hikat : : Jammu & Kashmir
Jat- Jatin : : Bihar
Jatra : : West Bengal
Jhulan Leela : : Rajasthan
Kaikotti Kalli : : Kerala
Kummi : : Tamil Nadu
Kajri : : Uttar Pradesh
Kayanga : : Himachal Pradesh
Karan : : Uttar Pradesh
Kathi : : West Bengal
Kayanga Bajavanga : : Rajasthan
Khayal : : Rajasthan
Kokattam : : Tamil Nadu
Koodiyattam : : Kerala
Kottam : : Andhra Pradesh
Krishnanathani : : Kerala
Kumanon : : Uttar Pradesh
Lai Haroba : : Manipur
Lavani : : Maharashtra
Lezim : : Maharashtra
Lota : : Madhya Pradesh
Luddi : : Himachal Pradesh
Macha : : Madhya Pradesh
Maha Rassa : : Manipur
Mudivettu : : Kerala
Munzra : : Himachal Pradesh
Nautanki : : Uttar Pradesh
Ojapali : : Assam
Pandvani : : Madhya Pradesh
Rasila : : Gujarat
Rauf : : Jammu & Kashmir
Swang : : Haryana
Tamasha : : Maharashtra
Tappatrikali : : Kerala
Therukoothu : : Tamil Nadu
Theyyam : : Kerala
Tippani : ; Gujarat
Veethi Bhagavata : : Andhra Pradesh
Last Updated: 06 March 2016