States and their Dance Forms: Know Dance Forms of all States in India

India is an amazing country with every state having its own unique culture and tradition.  These diverse cultures include different food, dialect, clothing, folk dance, etc. Folk dances symbolize the tradition of their states. Central and State governments keep on promoting these dances to preserve the unique cultural heritage of India. GK Questions regarding various states and their dance forms are often asked in competitive examinations.

In India, the dance forms are classified into the following two categories i.e. Classical and folk dance. You are expected to know about these dance forms if you are preparing for government job examinations like UPSC, SSC, Railway, etc. In today’s post, we are sharing the list of States and their dance forms.

List of Classical Dance Forms of India

As per the data of the cultural ministry of India, there are 9 classical dance forms in India. The classical dances are those which are originated from the Natya Shastra. The names of 9 classical dance forms along with their expressions are as follows.

Name of the dance	Expression of the dance
Shringar	Love
Hasya	Humorous
Karuna	Sorrow
Raudra	Anger
Veer	Heroism
Bhayanak	Fear
Bibhats	Disgust
Adbhoot	Wonder
Chhau	Combat

State-wise list of Indian Folk Dances

Let’s go through the list of dances of every state of India. You should remember these dances if you are preparing for any state-specific examination.

Folk Dances of Andhra Pradesh

• Vilasini Natyam
• Bhamakalpam
• Veeranatyam
• Dappu
• Tappeta Gullu
• Lambadi
• Dhimsa
• Kolattam

Folk Dances of Arunachal Pradesh          

• Buiya
• Chalo
• Wancho
• Pasi Kongki
• Ponung
• Popir

List of Folk Dances of Assam      

• Bihu

• Bichhua
• Natpuja
• Maharas
• Kaligopal
• Bagurumba
• Naga dance
• Khel Gopal

Folk Dances of Bihar      

• Jata-Jatin
• Bakho-Bakhain
• Panwariya

Folk Dances of Chhattisgarh      

• Gaur Maria
• Panthi
• Raut Nacha
• Pandwani
• Vedamati
• Kapalik

List of Folk Dances of Gujarat    

• Garba
• Dandiya Raas
• Tippani Juriun
• Bhavai

Folk Dances of Goa        

• Tarangamel
• Koli
• Dekhni
• Fugdi
• Shigmo
• Ghode
• Modni
• Samayi nrutya
• Jagar
• Ranmale

Folk Dances of Haryana

• Jhumar
• Phag
• Daph
• Dhamal
• Loor
• Gugga
• Khor

List of Folk Dances of Himachal Pradesh              

• Jhora
• Jhali
• Chharhi
• Dhaman
• Chhapeli
• Mahasu

Folk Dances of Jammu & Kashmir           

• Rauf
• Hikat
• Mandjas
• Kud Dandi Nach

Folk Dances of  Jharkhand          

• Alkap
• Karma Munda
• Agni
• Jhumar
• Janani Jhumar
• Mardana Jhumar
• Paika
• Phagua

List of Folk Dances of Karnataka               

• Yakshagana
• Huttari
• Suggi
• Kunitha
• Karga

Folk Dances of Kerala   

• Ottam Thullal
• Kaikottikali

Folk Dances of Maharashtra      

• Lavani
• Nakata
• Koli
• Lezim
• Gafa
• Dahikala Dasavtar

List of Folk Dances of Madhya Pradesh 

• Jawara
• Matki
• Aada
• Khada Nach
• Phulpati
• Grida Dance
• Selalarki
• Selabhadoni

List of Folk Dances of Manipur 

• Dol Cholam
• Thang Ta
• Lai Haraoba
• Pung Cholom

Folk Dances of Meghalaya          

• Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem
• Nongkrem
• Laho

Folk Dances of Mizoram              

• Cheraw Dance
• Khuallam
• Chailam
• Sawlakin
• Chawnglaizawn
• Zangtalam

List Folk Dances of Nagaland     

• Rangma
• Bamboo Dance
• Zeliang
• Nsuirolians
• Gethinglim

Folk Dances of Odisha  

• Savari
• Ghumara
• Painka
• Munari

Folk Dances of Punjab  

• Bhangra
• Giddha
• Daff
• Dhaman
• Bhand

List of Folk Dances of Rajasthan               

• Ghumar
• Chakri
• Ganagor
• Jhulan Leela
• Jhuma
• Suisini
• Ghapal

Folk Dances of Sikkim   

• Chu Faat
• Sikmari
• Singhi Chaam or the Snow Lion
• Yak Chaam
• Denzong Gnenha
• Tashi Yangku

Folk Dances of Tamil Nadu         

• Kumi
• Kolattam
• Kavadi

Folk Dances of Tripura  

• Hojagiri

List of Folk Dances of Uttar Pradesh       

• Nautanki
• Raslila
• Kajri
• Jhora
• Chappeli

Folk Dances of Uttarakhand       

• Pandav Nritya
• Bhotiya
• Choliya
• Mukhota
• Kumayuni
• Kajari
• Jhora
• Raslila

Frequently Asked Questions

Question -1: What are the classical dances in India along with the state of origin?

Answer: The list of classical dances in India along with their state of origin are as follows.

• Bharatnatyam – Tamil Nadu
• Kathak – Uttar Pradesh
• Kuchipudi – Andhra Pradesh
• Odissi – Odisha
• Kathakali – Kerala
• Sattriya – Assam
• Manipuri – Manipur
• Mohiniyattam – Kerala
• Chhau – West Bengal

Question – 2: Which dance is most recently added to the list of classical dances of India? 

Answer: Chhau is the classical dance that is added to the list of classical dances of India by the Cultural Ministry of India.

Question – 3: How many total classical dance forms are there in India?

Answer: According to the Sangeet Natak Academy (India’s National Academy), there are only eight classical dance forms in India. However, The Ministry of Culture also considers Chhau Dance as a classical dance of India. So, according to the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, there are 9 classical dances in India.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) on States and their dance forms

Question – 1: Kuchipudi’ is the Classical Dance of _________________ State?

1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Tamil Nadu
3. Karnataka
4. Kerala

Answer: 1 (Andhra Pradesh)

Question – 2:  Which of the following dance is related to Kerala?

1. Kuchipudi
2. Bharathanatyam
3. Kathak
4. Kathakali

Answer: 4 (Kathakali)

Question – 3: ‘Nautanki Jhora’ dance is related to which State?

1. Haryana
2. Punjab
3. Uttar Pradesh
4. Himachal Pradesh

Answer: 3 (Uttar Pradesh)

Question – 4: ‘Gidda’ and ‘Bhangra’ dances are mainly related to which state?

1. Punjab
2. West Bengal
3. Nagaland
4. Odisha

Answer: 1 (Punjab)

Question – 5: Which of the following dance is related to Rajasthan?

1. Jatra
2. Ghumar
3. Jhora
4. Jadur

Answer: 2 (Ghumar)

Question – 6:  ‘Bhagavata Mela Nataka’ is mainly related to which place?

1. Kakinada
2. Vijjayawada
3. Tanjore
4. Thiruvananthapuram

Answer: 3 (Tanjore)

Question – 7: ‘Mohiniattam’ is the classical dance of which State?

1. Kerala
2. Tamil Nadu
3. West Bengal
4. Andhra Pradesh

Answer: 1 (Kerala)

Question – 8: ‘Kavadi’ and ‘Karagam’ are related to which state?

1. Tamil Nadu
2. Maharashtra
3. Karnataka
4. Kerala

Answer: 1 (Tamil Nadu)

Question – 9: Which of the following is the dance related to Andhra Pradesh?

1. Kaliyattam
2. Kirtan
3. Burrakatha
4. Jimmi ki kamal

Answer: 3 (Burrakatha)

Question – 10: Which of the following is related to Tamil Nadu?

1. Pinnal Kolattam
2. Lezim
3. Lovani
4. Ghanta Mardala

Answer: 1 (Pinnal Kolattam)