Folk Dances of India - Magme Medal

FOLK DANCES OF INDIA – KEY NOTES FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS

India is home to a rich and diverse cultural heritage, and folk dances play an integral part in expressing the traditions, rituals, and beliefs of different communities across the country. These dances are performed during festivals, celebrations, and other cultural events, often reflecting the region’s lifestyle, agricultural practices, and social customs. Understanding Folk Dances of India is crucial for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, Banking, and other general knowledge-based exams.

List of Major Folk Dances in India

1. Bhangra (Punjab)

Region: Punjab
Description: Bhangra is one of the most popular and energetic folk dances of Punjab, traditionally performed during the harvest festival of Baisakhi. The dance is characterized by vigorous movements, with dancers clapping their hands and using props like sticks and swords.
Music: Dhol (drum), tumbi, and chimta.
Significance: Symbolizes the joy and celebration of the harvest season.

2. Garba (Gujarat)

Region: Gujarat
Description: Garba is a traditional dance performed by women in a circle around a garba (idol) during the Navratri festival. The dance involves rhythmic clapping and twirling in colorful attire.
Music: Dhol, dholak, and traditional folk songs.
Significance: Celebrates the worship of Durga and the victory of good over evil.

3. Kathakali (Kerala)

Region: Kerala
Description: Kathakali is a classical dance-drama that narrates ancient Hindu mythology, with performers wearing elaborate costumes and makeup. The performance is highly stylized, featuring facial expressions and hand gestures (mudras).
Music: Traditional instruments like Chenda and Maddalam.
Significance: Depicts mythological stories, especially from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

4. Bharatnatyam (Tamil Nadu)

Region: Tamil Nadu
Description: Bharatnatyam is a classical dance form that originated in the temples of Tamil Nadu. It is known for its graceful movements, facial expressions (abhinaya), and rhythmic footwork.
Music: Carnatic music and traditional Indian instruments.
Significance: A dance of devotion that narrates stories from Hindu mythology.

5. Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh)

Region: Andhra Pradesh
Description: Kuchipudi is a classical dance-drama performance that involves fast-paced rhythmic footwork, hand gestures, and facial expressions. It is often performed as a solo or in a group.
Music: Carnatic music.
Significance: It is performed to convey religious themes, often involving drama and storytelling.

6. Lavani (Maharashtra)

Region: Maharashtra
Description: Lavani is a traditional folk dance of Maharashtra, characterized by its fast-paced rhythm, performed to the beats of Dholki. It is typically performed by women wearing sarees, often expressing themes of love, social issues, or devotion.
Music: Dholki, Lezhim, and cymbals.
Significance: Performed during festivals and fairs, especially Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri.

7. Ghoomar (Rajasthan)

Region: Rajasthan
Description: Ghoomar is a traditional dance performed by women in Rajasthan, where they spin in circles, wearing colorful skirts. It is typically performed during festivals like Teej and Gangaur.
Music: Folk tunes and songs that are lively and rhythmic.
Significance: A celebratory dance that represents the joy of life.

8. Dandiya Raas (Gujarat)

Region: Gujarat
Description: Dandiya Raas is a traditional folk dance, performed with sticks (dandiya) by dancers who form a circle. The dance is performed during the Navratri festival and is known for its high energy and synchronized movements.
Music: Traditional dandiya tunes and folk music.
Significance: Celebrates the victory of good over evil, symbolizing the fight between Goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura.

9. Bihu (Assam)

Region: Assam
Description: Bihu is a traditional folk dance of Assam, performed during the Bihu festival which marks the Assamese New Year. The dance is performed by young men and women in colorful attire, and is characterized by rhythmic footwork and swaying movements.
Music: Dhol, pepa (flute), and other traditional Assamese instruments.
Significance: Celebrates the onset of the spring season and the harvest.

10. Chhau (Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal)

Region: Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal
Description: Chhau is a martial dance form that combines martial arts, acrobatics, and mask work. It is performed during festivals and usually involves storytelling through powerful movements.
Music: Traditional instruments like Dhol, Chau drums, and flutes.
Significance: It is performed to mark celebrations and festivals, often depicting mythological stories.

11. Pung Cholom (Manipur)

Region: Manipur
Description: Pung Cholom is a traditional Manipuri dance performed by men, in which they dance while playing the pung (drum). The dance involves elaborate footwork and rhythmic movements.
Music: Traditional Manipuri instruments, particularly the Pung.
Significance: Performed during Lai Haraoba and Rath Yatra festivals, it celebrates devotion to Lord Krishna.

12. Yakshagana (Karnataka)

Region: Karnataka
Description: Yakshagana is a traditional dance-drama from Karnataka, involving elaborate costumes, make-up, and energetic performances. It is typically performed at night and involves storytelling through dance, music, and dialogue.
Music: Traditional folk instruments like Chande, Maddale, and Thakil.
Significance: It narrates mythological stories from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and local folklore.

13. Kalbelia (Rajasthan)

Region: Rajasthan
Description: Kalbelia is a traditional dance of the Kalbelia tribe of Rajasthan. It is known for its serpentine movements, where dancers, mostly women, wear traditional attire and dance in circular formations.
Music: Ravanahatha, Dholak, and Khanjari.
Significance: The dance mimics the movements of snakes and is often performed during social gatherings and celebrations.

14. Satriya (Assam)

Region: Assam
Description: Satriya is a classical dance form from Assam that originated in the Vaishnavism tradition. It is performed as a solo or group dance, incorporating hand gestures, intricate footwork, and storytelling.
Music: Classical Sattriya music.
Significance: It was created by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva to express devotion to Lord Vishnu.

15. Dhol Cholom (Manipur)

Region: Manipur
Description: Dhol Cholom is a dance performed during the Manipur festival. The dancers use dhol (drums) and perform intricate steps and jumps.
Music: Pung and Dhol.
Significance: It reflects the celebratory mood of festivals in the region, particularly Lai Haraoba.

Conclusion

India’s folk dances are an integral part of its cultural heritage and offer a rich diversity of movements, music, and costumes that vary by region and community. These dances are often performed during festivals, weddings, and special occasions, and reflect the lifestyle, traditions, and beliefs of the local people. Understanding these dances and their significance can help candidates perform well in competitive exams by providing a comprehensive understanding of India’s cultural diversity.

Magme QUECAFE

ONE LINERS ABOUT FOLK DANCES OF INDIA

Here are some One Liners on Folk Dances of India for competitive exams:

1. Bhangra is a lively folk dance of Punjab, performed during harvest festivals.

2. Garba is a traditional dance form of Gujarat, performed during Navratri celebrations.

3. Kathakali is a classical dance-drama form originating from Kerala, known for

Elaborate costumes and facial expressions.

4. Kuchipudi is a classical dance form from Andhra Pradesh, which combines dance,

music, and drama.

5. Bharatanatyam is a classical dance of Tamil Nadu, known for its grace, storytelling,

And rhythmic footwork.

6. Lavani is a folk dance form of Maharashtra, characterized by powerful and graceful

ovements.

7. Odissi is a classical dance from Odisha, known for its intricate footwork and body

postures.

8. Manipuri is a classical dance from Manipur, known for its graceful and fluid

movements.

9. Chhau is a traditional dance from Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal, often

Performed during festivals and martial arts.

10. Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan, performed by women in a circle,

especially during festivals.

11. Dandia Raas is a popular dance of Gujarat, performed with sticks during the festival

Of Navratri.

12. Koli is a traditional dance of Maharashtra performed by fisherwomen to celebrate

Good harvests and catch of fish.

13. Garba and Dandiya Raas are both performed in Gujarat, especially during the

festival of Navratri.

14. Sattriya is a classical dance form of Assam, performed in temples as part of religious

rituals.

15. Rauf is a folk dance of Jammu & Kashmir, performed by men during festivals and

celebrations.

These one-liners will help you remember important folk dances from different parts of India, useful for competitive exams.

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS ON FOLK DANCES OF INDIA

Here are some Objective Questions on Folk Dances of India for competitive exams:

1. Which of the following is the traditional folk dance of Punjab?

A) Bhangra

B) Garba

C) Kuchipudi

D) Kathakali

Answer: A) Bhangra

2. Which dance form is associated with the state of Gujarat and is performed during the festival of Navratri?

A) Kuchipudi

B) Garba

C) Bharatanatyam

D) Kathak

Answer: B) Garba

3. Which folk dance is performed in the state of Maharashtra and is characterized by fast rhythmic movements?

A) Lavani

B) Bhangra

C) Ghoomar

D) Dandiya

Answer: A) Lavani

4. Which folk dance form is performed with sticks and is a popular dance during the Navratri festival in Gujarat?

A) Garba

B) Dandiya Raas

C) Kuchipudi

D) Kathak

Answer: B) Dandiya Raas

5. The classical dance form Kathakali originates from which state of India?

A) Odisha

B) Kerala

C) Karnataka

D) Tamil Nadu

Answer: B) Kerala

6. Which dance form is associated with the state of Odisha and is performed as a ritualistic dance in temples?

A) Bharatanatyam

B) Kuchipudi

C) Odissi

D) Kathakali

Answer: C) Odissi

7. Which is the traditional dance of Rajasthan, performed by women in a circle during festivals?

A) Kathak

B) Ghoomar

C) Kuchipudi

D) Bharatnatyam

Answer: B) Ghoomar

8. Which folk dance form of Manipur is known for its graceful and fluid movements?

A) Kuchipudi

B) Odissi

C) Manipuri

D) Bharatanatyam

Answer: C) Manipuri

9. Which folk dance is performed by men and is widely popular in the tribal regions of Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal?

A) Garba

B) Kathak

C) Chhau

D) Lavani

Answer: C) Chhau

10. Which dance form from Andhra Pradesh involves both dance and drama, and is typically performed in temples?

A) Kuchipudi

B) Bharatnatyam

C) Kathakali

D) Lavani

Answer: A) Kuchipudi

These Objective Questions are designed to help you assess your knowledge of folk dances of India, which are often important for competitive exam preparation.

FILL IN THE BLANKS ON FOLK DANCES OF INDIA

Here are some Fill in the blanks on Folk Dances of India for competitive exams:

1. ______ is the traditional folk dance of Punjab, performed during harvest festivals.

Answer: Bhangra

2. The folk dance ______ is performed by women in Gujarat during the festival of

Navratri.
Answer: Garba

3. ______ is a famous folk dance form of Maharashtra, performed by women with graceful and fast-paced movements.

Answer: Lavani

4. ______ is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan, performed by women in a circle during

festivals.
Answer: Ghoomar

5. ______ is a classical dance form from Kerala, known for its elaborate storytelling

through facial expressions and movements.

Answer: Kathakali

6. The classical dance ______ is performed in temples of Odisha, known for its graceful

footwork and postures.

Answer: Odissi

7. ______ is a folk dance form of Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal, often performed during martial arts festivals.

Answer: Chhau

8. ______ is a folk dance of Manipur, known for its graceful movements and cultural expression.
Answer: Manipuri

9. ______ is a popular folk dance performed with sticks during the festival of Navratri in Gujarat.
Answer: Dandiya Raas

10. ______ is a classical dance form from Andhra Pradesh, which combines dance, music, and drama.

Answer: Kuchipudi

These Fill in the blanks questions will help reinforce your knowledge of Folk Dances of India and are useful for competitive exams.

ASSERTION AND REASON ON FOLK DANCES OF INDIA

Here are some Assertion and Reason questions on Folk Dances of India for competitive exams:

1. Assertion (A): Bhangra is the traditional folk dance of Punjab.

Reason (R): Bhangra is performed to celebrate the harvest season, primarily during the festival of Vaisakhi.

Options:
A) Both assertion and reason are correct, and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are correct, but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is correct, but reason is incorrect.