List of Indian folk dances
Updated: 11/6/2025, 2:07:57 AM Wikipedia source
Indian folk dances, 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.
Tables
Folk Dances of Arunachal Pradesh · Arunachal Pradesh
Aji Lhamu
Aji Lhamu
Dance
Aji Lhamu
Community
Monpa
Chalo
Chalo
Dance
Chalo
Community
Nocte
Hiiri Khaniing
Hiiri Khaniing
Dance
Hiiri Khaniing
Community
Apatani
Lion and Peacock
Lion and Peacock
Dance
Lion and Peacock
Community
Monpa
Pasi Khongki
Pasi Khongki
Dance
Pasi Khongki
Community
Adi
Ponung
Ponung
Dance
Ponung
Community
Adi
Popir
Popir
Dance
Popir
Community
Galo
Buiya
Buiya
Dance
Buiya
Community
Mishmi
Bardo Chham
Bardo Chham
Dance
Bardo Chham
Community
Sherdukpen
Loku Bawang
Loku Bawang
Dance
Loku Bawang
Community
Nocte
Ozele
Ozele
Dance
Ozele
Community
Wancho
Pakku Itu
Pakku Itu
Dance
Pakku Itu
Community
Apatani
Eme Relo
Eme Relo
Dance
Eme Relo
Community
Galo
| Dance | Community |
| Aji Lhamu | Monpa |
| Chalo | Nocte |
| Hiiri Khaniing | Apatani |
| Lion and Peacock | Monpa |
| Pasi Khongki | Adi |
| Ponung | Adi |
| Popir | Galo |
| Buiya | Mishmi |
| Bardo Chham | Sherdukpen |
| Loku Bawang | Nocte |
| Ozele | Wancho |
| Pakku Itu | Apatani |
| Eme Relo | Galo |
· State wise summary
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
State
Andhra Pradesh
Folk dances
Ghantamardala, Ottam Thedal, Mohiniattam, Kummi, Siddhi, Madhuri, Chhadi. Vilasini Natyam, Bhamakalpam, Veeranatyam, Dappu, Tappeta Gullu, Lambadi, Dhimsa, Kolattam, Butta Bommalu
Classical dance
Kuchipudi
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
State
Arunachal Pradesh
Folk dances
Chham, Mukhauta Nritya, Buiya, Chalo, Wancho, Pasi Kongki, Ponung, Popir, Bardo, Chong, Khaiva, Lim, Nuralim
Assam
Assam
State
Assam
Folk dances
Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga dance, Khel Gopal, Tabal Chongli, Canoe, Jhumura Hobjanai
Classical dance
Sattriya
Bihar
Bihar
State
Bihar
Folk dances
Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya, Sama-Chakwa, Bidesia, Jatra .
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh
State
Chhattisgarh
Folk dances
Gaur Maria, Panthi, Raut Nacha, Pandwani, Vedamati, Kapalik, Chandaini, Bharthari Charit, Goudi, Karma, Jhumar, Dagla, Pali, Tapali, Navrani, Diwari, Mundari, Jhumar
Goa
Goa
State
Goa
Folk dances
Fugdi, Dhalo, Kunbi, Dhangar, Mandi, Jhagor, Khol, Dakni, Tarangamel, Shigmo, Ghode, Modni, Samayi nrutya, Jagar, Ranmale, Amayi Nrutya, Tonnya Mell
Gujarat
Gujarat
State
Gujarat
Folk dances
Garba, Dandiya Ras, Bhavai, Tippani Juriun, Bhavai.
Haryana
Haryana
State
Haryana
Folk dances
Jhumar, Phag Dance, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khor, Gagor
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh
State
Himachal Pradesh
Folk dances
Kinnauri, Thoda, Jhora, Jhali, Chharhi, Dhaman, Chhapeli, Mahasu, Dangi, Chamba, Thali, Jhainta, Daf
Jharkhand
Jharkhand
State
Jharkhand
Folk dances
Karma, Agni, Jhumar, Janani Jhumar, Mardana Jhumar, Paika, Phagua, Chhanu, Sarahul, Jat-Jatin, Karma, Danga, Bidesia, Sohrai, Hunta Dance, Mundari Dance, Sarhul, Barao, Jhitka, Danga, Domkach, Ghora Naach
Classical dance
Chhau
Karnataka
Karnataka
State
Karnataka
Folk dances
Yakshagana, Huttari, Suggi, Kunitha, Karga, Lambi
Kerala
Kerala
State
Kerala
Folk dances
Ottam Thulal, Kaikottikali, Tappatikali, Kali Aattam
Classical dance
Kathakali, Mohiniyattam
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
State
Madhya Pradesh
Folk dances
Tertali, Maanch, Matki, Gaur Maria, Ahirai, Bhadam, Aada, Khada Nach, Phulpati, Grida Dance, Selalarki, Selabhadoni, Jawara
Maharashtra
Maharashtra
State
Maharashtra
Folk dances
Lavani, Nakata, Koli, Lezim, Gafa, Dahikala Dasavtar or Bohada, Tamasha, Mauni, Powara, Gouricha
Manipur
Manipur
State
Manipur
Folk dances
Thang Ta, Lai Haraoba, Pung Cholom, Rakhal, Nat Rash, Maha Rash, Raukhat, Dol Cholam, Khamba Thaibi, Nupa Dance, Raslila, Khubak Ishei, Lhou Sha.
Classical dance
Manipuri
Meghalaya
Meghalaya
State
Meghalaya
Folk dances
Laho, Baala, Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Nongkrem,
Mizoram
Mizoram
State
Mizoram
Folk dances
Cheraw Dance, Khuallam, Chailam, Sawlakin, Chawnglaizawn, Zangtalam, Par Lam, Sarlamkai/ Solakia, Tlanglam, Khanatm, Pakhupila, Cherokan
Nagaland
Nagaland
State
Nagaland
Folk dances
Bamboo Dance, Temangnetin, Hetaleulee.Rangma, Zeliang, Nsuirolians, Gethinglim
Odisha
Odisha
State
Odisha
Folk dances
Ghumara, Ranappa,Savari, Ghumara, Painka, Munari, Chhau, Chadya Dandanata, Savari, Painka, Munari
Classical dance
Odissi, Chhau
Punjab
Punjab
State
Punjab
Folk dances
Bhangra, Giddha, Daff, Dhaman, Bhand, Naqual
Rajasthan
Rajasthan
State
Rajasthan
Folk dances
Ghoomar, Suisini, kalbeliya, Chakri, Ganagor, Jhulan Leela, Jhuma, Suisini, Ghapal, Panihari, Ginad
Sikkim
Sikkim
State
Sikkim
Folk dances
Chu Faat, Yak Chaam Sikmari, Singhi Chaam or the Snow Lion, Yak Chaam, Denzong Gnenha, Tashi Yangku, Khukuri Naach, Chutkey Naach, Maruni Dance
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
State
Tamil Nadu
Folk dances
Karagam, Kummi, Kolattam, Kavadi, Koothu, Paraiattam, Pampaattam, Oyilaattam, Mayilaattam, Puravaiattam, Kai silambattam
Classical dance
Bharatnatyam
Telangana
Telangana
State
Telangana
Folk dances
Perini Shivatandavam, Keisabadi
Tripura
Tripura
State
Tripura
Folk dances
Hojagiri
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
State
Uttar Pradesh
Folk dances
Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli, Jaita
Classical dance
Kathak
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
State
Uttarakhand
Folk dances
Chappeli, Gadhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Raslila
West Bengal
West Bengal
State
West Bengal
Folk dances
Purulia Chhau, Alkap, Kathi, Gambhira, Dhali, Jatra, Baul, Marasia, Mahal, Keertan,Santhali Dance, Mundari dance, Gambhira, Gajan, Chaibari Nritya
Classical dance
Chhau
| State | Folk dances | Classical dance |
| Andhra Pradesh | Ghantamardala, Ottam Thedal, Mohiniattam, Kummi, Siddhi, Madhuri, Chhadi. Vilasini Natyam, Bhamakalpam, Veeranatyam, Dappu, Tappeta Gullu, Lambadi, Dhimsa, Kolattam, Butta Bommalu | Kuchipudi |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Chham, Mukhauta Nritya, Buiya, Chalo, Wancho, Pasi Kongki, Ponung, Popir, Bardo, Chong, Khaiva, Lim, Nuralim | |
| Assam | Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga dance, Khel Gopal, Tabal Chongli, Canoe, Jhumura Hobjanai | Sattriya |
| Bihar | Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya, Sama-Chakwa, Bidesia, Jatra . | |
| Chhattisgarh | Gaur Maria, Panthi, Raut Nacha, Pandwani, Vedamati, Kapalik, Chandaini, Bharthari Charit, Goudi, Karma, Jhumar, Dagla, Pali, Tapali, Navrani, Diwari, Mundari, Jhumar | |
| Goa | Fugdi, Dhalo, Kunbi, Dhangar, Mandi, Jhagor, Khol, Dakni, Tarangamel, Shigmo, Ghode, Modni, Samayi nrutya, Jagar, Ranmale, Amayi Nrutya, Tonnya Mell | |
| Gujarat | Garba, Dandiya Ras, Bhavai, Tippani Juriun, Bhavai. | |
| Haryana | Jhumar, Phag Dance, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga, Khor, Gagor | |
| Himachal Pradesh | Kinnauri, Thoda, Jhora, Jhali, Chharhi, Dhaman, Chhapeli, Mahasu, Dangi, Chamba, Thali, Jhainta, Daf | |
| Jharkhand | Karma, Agni, Jhumar, Janani Jhumar, Mardana Jhumar, Paika, Phagua, Chhanu, Sarahul, Jat-Jatin, Karma, Danga, Bidesia, Sohrai, Hunta Dance, Mundari Dance, Sarhul, Barao, Jhitka, Danga, Domkach, Ghora Naach | Chhau |
| Karnataka | Yakshagana, Huttari, Suggi, Kunitha, Karga, Lambi | |
| Kerala | Ottam Thulal, Kaikottikali, Tappatikali, Kali Aattam | Kathakali, Mohiniyattam |
| Madhya Pradesh | Tertali, Maanch, Matki, Gaur Maria, Ahirai, Bhadam, Aada, Khada Nach, Phulpati, Grida Dance, Selalarki, Selabhadoni, Jawara | |
| Maharashtra | Lavani, Nakata, Koli, Lezim, Gafa, Dahikala Dasavtar or Bohada, Tamasha, Mauni, Powara, Gouricha | |
| Manipur | Thang Ta, Lai Haraoba, Pung Cholom, Rakhal, Nat Rash, Maha Rash, Raukhat, Dol Cholam, Khamba Thaibi, Nupa Dance, Raslila, Khubak Ishei, Lhou Sha. | Manipuri |
| Meghalaya | Laho, Baala, Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Nongkrem, | |
| Mizoram | Cheraw Dance, Khuallam, Chailam, Sawlakin, Chawnglaizawn, Zangtalam, Par Lam, Sarlamkai/ Solakia, Tlanglam, Khanatm, Pakhupila, Cherokan | |
| Nagaland | Bamboo Dance, Temangnetin, Hetaleulee.Rangma, Zeliang, Nsuirolians, Gethinglim | |
| Odisha | Ghumara, Ranappa,Savari, Ghumara, Painka, Munari, Chhau, Chadya Dandanata, Savari, Painka, Munari | Odissi, Chhau |
| Punjab | Bhangra, Giddha, Daff, Dhaman, Bhand, Naqual | |
| Rajasthan | Ghoomar, Suisini, kalbeliya, Chakri, Ganagor, Jhulan Leela, Jhuma, Suisini, Ghapal, Panihari, Ginad | |
| Sikkim | Chu Faat, Yak Chaam Sikmari, Singhi Chaam or the Snow Lion, Yak Chaam, Denzong Gnenha, Tashi Yangku, Khukuri Naach, Chutkey Naach, Maruni Dance | |
| Tamil Nadu | Karagam, Kummi, Kolattam, Kavadi, Koothu, Paraiattam, Pampaattam, Oyilaattam, Mayilaattam, Puravaiattam, Kai silambattam | Bharatnatyam |
| Telangana | Perini Shivatandavam, Keisabadi | |
| Tripura | Hojagiri | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Jhora, Chappeli, Jaita | Kathak |
| Uttarakhand | Chappeli, Gadhwali, Kumayuni, Kajari, Jhora, Raslila | |
| West Bengal | Purulia Chhau, Alkap, Kathi, Gambhira, Dhali, Jatra, Baul, Marasia, Mahal, Keertan,Santhali Dance, Mundari dance, Gambhira, Gajan, Chaibari Nritya | Chhau |
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