Folk Dances of India – Flyopedia

Art is the alignment of body, mind, and soul. It has touched and enlightened the lives of many. One of the most performed art forms is Folk dances. Narrating a story or conveying a message through meaningful body movements syncopated to music is bound to create a lasting impression.

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Folk dance has certain traits that differentiate them from other genres of dance. Although they may present as a stage performance, the performance is for the general public, who may or may not have specialized knowledge or professional training.

Keeping that in mind, it makes sense why folk dances preserve the essence of the time gone. 

1. The Dance of Divine Love- Raas Leela

According to the old, sacred Hindu text ‘Bhagavata Purana.’ The mischievous ‘Makhan Chor’ better known as Lord Krishna would love to watch children dancing in complete bliss by the banks of Yamuna. The kids stopped this pursuit after growing bored of it.

Krishna resorted to playing mellow tunes, thereby compelling the young boys and girls to start grooving. Raas Leela is a recreation of the incident. The dancers perform around a ‘mandap’ occupied by a male and a female performer that represent the divine couple, Lord Krishna and Radha. Other dancers play the characters of Gopis and Saakhis.

The composition is through drums and cymbals, and the tempo is languid and entrancing. Experience the captivating dance form. 

2. Dance of the Gods- Theyyam

Much more than a dance, Theyyam is a form of ritual worship to honor ancestral spirits that predate Hinduism. It incorporates other elements like mime and music, divided into more than 400 types.

The almost-intimidating and impactful ornamental decorations embellished by the performers keep the audience glued. Its presence is a part of Grand Dance Festival in the south Indian state of Kerala, between the months of December and April.

However, you can steal a glimpse of this incredible art form at the Parassinikadavu  Sri Muthappan Temple in Kannur, where it is performed every day. So, why wait for the festival? 

3. Flowing Robes of Rajasthan- Ghoomar

The internationally acclaimed dance form, Ghoomar or Jhumar hails from the ‘Land of the Kings’ better known as Rajasthan. The dance represents womanhood and is for special occasions and festivals.

Women pirouette to music, dressed in long robes that seem no less than a kaleidoscope. This step is ‘Ghoomna’ which literally translates to ‘twirling’ or ‘spinning.’

The opulence of the performer reflects in the mirror embroidery or ‘Zari’ work of the long, flowing skirt-like outfits. This outfit pairs with heavy jewelry and accessories.

The music is upbeat and catchy. Some performers take the dance up another notch by dancing with props like fire lamps and earthen pots balanced atop their heads.

4. High-Powered and Contagious Dance- Bhangra

Bhangra emerged as a dance form in the 14th century as a celebratory gesture devoted to the harvest season. So much so, Bhangra originated from the word ‘Bhang’ which refers to an important harvest crop, hemp. No wonder it is addictive!

This is one of the folk dances which is performed to the high powered rhythm of a double-headed drum called ‘Dhol’ which puts a spell on anybody and everybody that is within its audible vicinity. This is exactly why it has made its way into the hearts of the worldwide audience and Bollywood music scene, alike.

The sound of drums pairs with lyrics called ‘boliyan’ which are stanzas that illustrate the Punjabi culture. Give in to the rhythm of this vibrant dance

5. From Philosophy to Sensuality- Lavani

The dance form originated in Maharashtra and has attained a skyrocketing success during the Peshawari Dynasty in the 14th century. It is a mixture of various social concepts and aspects put together poetically. Presentation is through the syncopated movement of the body.

Lavani can be classified into two different categories, namely Nirguni Lavani and Sringari Lavani. While the former centers’ philosophical themes, the latter is concerned with topics of sensuality.

The performance is in a very fast-pace bang of ‘Dholak’, coupled with high-treble instruments like cymbals. A traditional Lavani performance continues throughout the night, and is concluded by burning a replica of the Hindu God of Love ‘Manmatha.’

6. Bamboo Dance of Mizoram- Cheraw

The folk dance of Mizoram dates back to the 1st century AD, and interestingly finds its origin in Yunnan Province of China.

The performance is by a group of six to eight dancers and uses long bamboo staves as props. The staves struck together close to the ground, in a cross-like position by four individuals, usually men.

The clapping of the starves is at rhythmic intervals composing a beat. A group of two to four performers, usually women, dance within these beating bamboos.

They step in and out of the thumping bamboos, gracefully. Dance steps mirror the magnificent natural atmosphere of Mizoram, including the swaying of trees, a flight of a bird, and more.

Initially, the performance was for the solace of the souls of the departed.

7. The Dance of Destruction- Veeragase

Veeragase consists of two, four or six dancers with a singer chanting the story of Daksha Yagna. ‘Yagna’ can be understood as a ritual sacrifice. According to ancient Indian texts, the dance style is a way to honor Lord Shiva’s avatar, known as Veerabhadra.

Goddess Sati gave her life, owing to the non-acceptance of her father for Lord Shiva. Enraged by the misfortune, Shiva performed ‘Tandava’ the destructive dance that created Veerbhadra.

It is only performed by the Hindu sect of monks called ‘Jangama.’  Piercing of mouth is sometimes carried out as a part of the performance. Karnataka is the best place to experience the art form.

India is a dimension of diversity. The above-mentioned folk dances are as extraordinary as the stories of their origin. Some of them emerge out of ancient sacred texts, while others indicate a celebratory gesture.

Hence, skipping them on your next visit to India would mean missing a huge, rich chunk of the days long gone. Avail online travel deals like cheapest flights to India from San Francisco and other locations from all across the globe, now!