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: 

  1. Amaravati is the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh
  2. Itanagar is the capital of the state of Arunachal Pradesh
  3. Dispur is the capital of the state of Assam
  4. Patna is the capital of the state of Bihar
  5. Raipur is the capital of the state of Chhattisgarh
  6. Panaji is the capital of the state of Goa
  7. Gandhinagar is the capital of the state of Gujarat
  8. Chandigarh is the capital of the state of Haryana
  9. Shimla is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh
  10. Ranchi is the capital of the state of Jharkhand
  11. Bengaluru is the capital of the state of Karnataka
  12. Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of the state of Kerala
  13. Bhopal is the capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh
  14. Mumbai is the capital of the state of Maharashtra
  15. Imphal is the capital of the state of Manipur
  16. Shillong is the capital of the state of Meghalaya
  17. Aizawl is the capital of the state of Mizoram
  18. Kohima is the capital of the state of Nagaland
  19. Bhubaneswar is the capital of the state of Odisha
  20. Chandigarh is the capital of the state of Punjab
  21. Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan
  22. Gangtok is the capital of the state of Sikkim
  23. Chennai is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu
  24. Hyderabad is the capital of the state of Telangana
  25. Agartala is the capital of the state of Tripura
  26. Lucknow is the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh
  27. Dehradun (During Winter) &  Gairsain (During Summer) is the capital of the state of Uttarakhand
  28. 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.