Folk Dances of India State-Wise: List of Folk Dances, Classical Dances and Tribal Dances for SSC and Other Exams
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
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India has hundreds of folk dances, and the exam question is almost always “Which dance belongs to which state?”. This guide on folk dances of India state-wise for SSC gives the dances of each state in one table, along with important facts about the classical dances, easy tricks to remember and practice questions with FAQs. For the classical dances in detail, see the Classical Dances of India note.
Folk Dances State-Wise
| State | Important Folk Dances |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh / Telangana | Dhimsa, Burrakatha, Perini, Gussadi, Bonalu |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Bardo Chham, Popir, Ponung |
| Assam | Bihu, Bagurumba, Jhumura |
| Bihar | Jat-Jatin, Bidesia, Jhijhian |
| Chhattisgarh | Panthi, Raut Nacha, Karma, Soowa |
| Goa | Fugdi, Dekhni, Dhalo |
| Gujarat | Garba, Dandiya Raas, Tippani |
| Haryana | Phag, Dhamal, Loor, Saang |
| Himachal Pradesh | Nati, Kinnauri, Chamba |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Rouf, Dumhal, Bacha Nagma |
| Jharkhand | Karma, Jhumair, Paika, Chhau (Seraikela) |
| Karnataka | Yakshagana, Dollu Kunitha, Veeragase, Kamsale |
| Kerala | Theyyam, Thiruvathira, Kaikottikali, Oppana |
| Madhya Pradesh | Matki, Tertali, Gaur, Jawara |
| Maharashtra | Lavani, Koli, Tamasha, Dindi, Povada |
| Manipur | Pung Cholom, Thang-Ta, Lai Haraoba |
| Meghalaya | Nongkrem, Shad Suk Mynsiem, Wangala |
| Mizoram | Cheraw (bamboo dance), Khuallam, Chai |
| Nagaland | Chang Lo, Rangma, Zeliang |
| Odisha | Dalkhai, Ghumura, Chhau (Mayurbhanj), Sambalpuri |
| Punjab | Bhangra, Giddha, Jhumar, Malwai Giddha |
| Rajasthan | Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Chari, Terah Tali, Kachchhi Ghodi |
| Sikkim | Singhi Chham (snow lion dance), Yak Chham |
| Tamil Nadu | Karagattam, Kummi, Oyilattam, Kolattam, Poikkal Kudirai |
| Tripura | Hojagiri, Garia, Bizhu |
| Uttar Pradesh | Raslila, Nautanki, Charkula, Kajri |
| Uttarakhand | Chholiya, Langvir Nritya, Jagar, Barada Nati |
| West Bengal | Gambhira, Kali Natya, Purulia Chhau, Baul, Santhali |
Classical Dances and Their States
| Classical Dance | State | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Bharatanatyam | Tamil Nadu | Oldest classical dance; based on Natya Shastra; the dancer’s pose has bent knees |
| Kathak | Uttar Pradesh (north India) | Storytelling dance; Lucknow, Jaipur and Banaras gharanas; Birju Maharaj |
| Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh | Village Kuchipudi; dancing with a plate (Tarangam) |
| Odissi | Odisha | Tribhangi posture; Sonal Mansingh, Kelucharan Mohapatra |
| Kathakali | Kerala | Heavy make-up and costume; stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata |
| Mohiniyattam | Kerala | Dance of the enchantress; graceful and feminine |
| Manipuri | Manipur | Radha-Krishna themes; soft and graceful movements |
| Sattriya | Assam | Recognised as classical in 2000; developed by Sankardev |
The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognises eight classical dances. The Ministry of Culture also includes Chhau (Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal) among the traditional dances.
Important Facts
- Bihu is celebrated three times a year in Assam: Bohag (April), Kati (October) and Magh (January).
- Garba and Dandiya Raas are performed during Navratri in Gujarat.
- Ghoomar is performed by women of Rajasthan; Kalbelia of the Kalbelia community was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010.
- Chhau has three styles: Seraikela (Jharkhand), Purulia (West Bengal) and Mayurbhanj (Odisha); it is a UNESCO-listed heritage.
- Cheraw, the bamboo dance of Mizoram, is performed with bamboo sticks.
- Yakshagana is a theatre-dance of coastal Karnataka.
- Lavani is the folk dance and song of Maharashtra.
- Theyyam is a ritual dance of north Kerala.
Tricks to Remember
- Ghoomar and Kalbelia both belong to Rajasthan.
- Bihu is Assam; Bagurumba is also Assam.
- Garba is for Gujarat; Bhangra and Giddha for Punjab.
- Cheraw is bamboo, and Mizoram has the largest bamboo forests.
- Kathakali and Mohiniyattam are both Kerala, one for men and one for women.
Quick Tips
- Learn the dances state by state.
- Separate the classical dances from folk dances.
- Learn the festival link such as Bihu and Garba.
- Remember which dances are UNESCO-listed.
Quick Revision Points
- Bharatanatyam: Tamil Nadu; Kathak: Uttar Pradesh; Kuchipudi: Andhra Pradesh.
- Odissi: Odisha; Kathakali and Mohiniyattam: Kerala.
- Manipuri: Manipur; Sattriya: Assam.
- Bihu is Assam; Garba is Gujarat; Ghoomar is Rajasthan.
- Chhau has three styles.
Practice Questions With Answers
- Which state is Bihu dance associated with?
Answer: Assam - Garba belongs to which state?
Answer: Gujarat - Ghoomar is a folk dance of which state?
Answer: Rajasthan - Which classical dance is from Andhra Pradesh?
Answer: Kuchipudi - Cheraw (bamboo dance) is from which state?
Answer: Mizoram - Yakshagana is a dance-drama of which state?
Answer: Karnataka - Which classical dance was recognised in 2000 and belongs to Assam?
Answer: Sattriya - Lavani is a folk dance of which state?
Answer: Maharashtra - Which dance is associated with Punjab?
Answer: Bhangra and Giddha - Singhi Chham is a folk dance of which state?
Answer: Sikkim
How to Practise This Chapter
Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the General Awareness notes page and the next topic Festivals and Fairs of India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which folk dance belongs to Assam?
Bihu and Bagurumba.
Which folk dance belongs to Gujarat?
Garba and Dandiya Raas.
Which folk dance belongs to Punjab?
Bhangra and Giddha.
Which folk dance belongs to Rajasthan?
Ghoomar, Kalbelia and Terah Tali.
How many classical dances are recognised in India?
Eight, as recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Which is the oldest classical dance of India?
Bharatanatyam.
Which classical dance is from Odisha?
Odissi.
Which dance is performed by the Kalbelia community?
Kalbelia, a folk dance of Rajasthan.
What is Chhau?
A traditional dance with masks and martial moves from Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha.
Which state is the Cheraw dance from?
Mizoram.
Is this topic asked in SSC?
Yes. The matching of dances to states is asked in SSC CGL, CHSL and MTS.
What is the best way to remember dances?
Learn them state-wise and link them with festivals.
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Important National and International Days: Month-wise List for SSC GK
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Festivals and Fairs of India: State-Wise List of Important Festivals, Melas and Cultural Events for SSC Exams
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
Rahul is a senior SSC exam strategist with 8+ years of experience helping aspirants crack CGL, CHSL and MTS exams. He writes in-depth notification breakdowns, exam pattern guides and preparation strategies.