Although India has several dance forms from every state, there have only been six styles of classical dance forms that are acknowledged on a government level. Recognized six dance styles include Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, and Odissi. In India, Folk dances are more than just physical movements. Since prehistoric days, Indian classical dance styles have been regarded as a practice and a manner to dedicate oneself to the Divine via means of art. India has close to 15 dance styles and forms.
List of states in India:
India has 28 states and eight union territories. The following are the 28 Indian states in alphabetical order and their capitals:
- Amaravati is the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh
- Itanagar is the capital of the state of Arunachal Pradesh
- Dispur is the capital of the state of Assam
- Patna is the capital of the state of Bihar
- Raipur is the capital of the state of Chhattisgarh
- Panaji is the capital of the state of Goa
- Gandhinagar is the capital of the state of Gujarat
- Chandigarh is the capital of the state of Haryana
- Shimla is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh
- Ranchi is the capital of the state of Jharkhand
- Bengaluru is the capital of the state of Karnataka
- Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the state of Kerala
- Bhopal is the capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh
- Mumbai is the capital of the state of Maharashtra
- Imphal is the capital of the state of Manipur
- Shillong is the capital of the state of Meghalaya
- Aizawl is the capital of the state of Mizoram
- Kohima is the capital of the state of Nagaland
- Bhubaneswar is the capital of the state of Odisha
- Chandigarh is the capital of the state of Punjab
- Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan
- Gangtok is the capital of the state of Sikkim
- Chennai is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu
- Hyderabad is the capital of the state of Telangana
- Agartala is the capital of the state of Tripura
- Lucknow is the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh
- Dehradun (During Winter) & Gairsain (During Summer) is the capital of the state of Uttarakhand
- Kolkata is the capital of the state of West Bengal
Indian Dance Forms:
Classical and folk dance are India’s two significant dance styles and forms. The origin of these dance forms is the primary distinguishing factor between Classical and Folk-dance forms.
- Classical dance has a meaningful bond with the Natya Shastra, which keeps mentioning the particular aspects & features of each of the Classical dance forms.
- Folk dance originated from the traditional practice of the individual state, ethnic group, or geographical location.
states and their dance forms:
In India, folk dances portray the cultural heritage of the society from which they originally came.
Folk dances are typically conducted at society festivities such as childbearing ceremonies, cultural events, wedding ceremonies, and so on.
In India, there are various types of folk dancing. The following is a list of states and their dance forms:
Name of the State | Folk Dance Styles |
Andhra Pradesh | Kuchipudi, Andhra Natyam, Veeranatyam, Kolattam. |
Assam | Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Naga dance, Jhumura Hobjanai |
Bihar | Jata-Jatin, Sama Chakwa, Bidesia. |
Gujarat | Garba, Tippani Juriun. |
Haryana | Daph, Loor, Gugga,Gagor. |
Himachal Pradesh | Jhora, Chharhi, Chhapeli, Nati, Dangi. |
Jammu and Kashmir | Rauf, Mandjas, Damali. |
Karnataka | Yakshagana, Suggi,Karga. |
Kerala | Kathakali (Classical), Mohiniattam, Kaikottikali. |
Maharashtra | Lavani, Lezim, Dahikala Dasavtar or Bohada. |
Odisha | Odissi (Classical), Ghumara, Munari. |
West Bengal | Kathi, Dhali,Baul, Mahal. |
Punjab | Bhangra, Daff, Bhand, |
Rajasthan | Ghumar, Ganagor, Jhuma, Ghapal,. |
Tamil Nadu | Bharatanatyam, Kolattam. |
Uttar Pradesh | Nautanki, Kajri, Chappeli. |
Uttarakhand | Garhwali, Kajari, Raslila. |
Goa | Tarangamel, Dekhni, Shigmo, Modni, Jagar,Gonph. |
Madhya Pradesh | Jawara, Aada, Phulpati, Selalarki, Maanch. |
Chhattisgarh | Gaur Maria,Raut Nacha, Vedamati, Bharthari Charit. |
Jharkhand | Alkap, Agni, Jhumar, Mardana Jhumar, Hunta Dance, Sarhul, Barao, Domkach, Ghora Naach. |
Arunachal Pradesh | Buiya, Wancho, Ponung, Popir, Bardo Chham. |
Manipur | Dol Cholam, Lai Haraoba, Khamba Thaibi, Raslila, Lhou Sha. |
Meghalaya | Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Nongkrem, Laho. |
Mizoram | Cheraw Dance, Chailam, Chawnglaizawn,Par Lam, Tlanglam. |
Nagaland | Rangma, Bamboo Dance, Nsuirolians, Temangnetin, Hetaleulee. |
Tripura | Hojagiri. |
Sikkim | Chu Faat Dance, Singhi Chaam or the Snow Lion Dance, Denzong Gnenha, Khukuri Naach, Maruni Dance. |
Lakshadweep | Lava, Kolkali, Parichakali. |
Conclusion
Dance in India includes a variety of styles, which are broadly categorized as classical or folk. Just like other sections of Indian culture, various forms of art & dance originated in various parts of India, established as per ancient customs, and fully integrated aspects from those other areas of the nation.