Popular Folk Dances of India

Category :- All India Travel Tourism > Culture > Dance > Folk

West Bengal, the state where our poets and writers belong to, has a rich tradition of folk art. Brita or Vrita dances is one of the most important traditional folk dances of Bengal. This is an invocational dance performed by the barren woman of Bengal who worship in gratitude after their wish being fulfilled. Quite often, this dance is performed after a recovery from a contagious disease like small pox etc.

Kali Nach is another dance performed during Gajan, in honour of the Goddess Kali. Here, the performer wears a mask, purified by mantras, and dances with a sword, and when worked up can make prophetic answers.

The Bihu is the most widespread folk dance of Assam and is enjoyed by all, young and old, rich and poor. The dance is part of the Bihu festival, that comes in mid-April, when harvesting is done, and continues for about a month. The participants are young men and girls, who gather in the open, in daytime. They dance together, but there is no mixing of the sexes. The dance is supported by drums and pipes. In between, the performers sometimes sing, usually of love. The most common formation is the circle or parallel rows. The Bihu demonstrates, through song and dance, the soul of the Assamese at its richest.

The sense of fun and frolic of the Nagas is seen in many of their dances. The Zemis, Zeliangs and other tribes of Assam have a series of dances. Harvesting season is naturally the time for celebrations. All the Naga tribes have their particular harvest dances. The characteristic feature of all Naga dancing is the use of the human figure in an erect posture with many movements of the legs and comparatively little use of the torso, and the shoulders. Khamba Lim is performed by two groups of men and women who stand in two rows. A similar dance is known as the Akhu.

Lava Dance of Minicoy (Lakshadweep)

The native tribals of of Dadra & Nagar Haveli have their own traditions and dances. On moonlit nights, melodious Tarpa dancers tap their feet and encircle the Tarpakar to dance past midnight. Mask dancers or Bhavada folk dance is colourful.

Hajagiri
Tripura has a large tribal population, comprising mainly the Riangs, who worship both tribal and Hindu divinities. They subsist on cultivation, and to ensure a happy harvest propitiate the Godess Lakshmi. This includes a dance by young girls, called Hajagiri, which also demonstrates multiple balancing skills and has its own set of instruments for accompaniment. At the time of principal festivals, men and women dance together, often in the compound of their own houses.