🇮🇳 The dances of India

61 dances from India, best known first, across 80 cities and regions.

India's dances fall into two broad groups, classical and folk. The classical styles follow the Natya Shastra, an ancient Sanskrit text on performance, while folk forms live by word of mouth and local custom. Every region made its own, and film dance carried the habit far past the subcontinent.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognizes eight classical dance styles.
The Dancing Girl figurine from the Indus Valley is dated to about 2500 BCE.
The Natya Shastra runs to roughly 6,000 verses in 36 chapters.
Kathak has three regional forms: Jaipur, Benares and Lucknow.
Kuchipudi was once danced only by male Brahmins, who took female roles.

Dance in India

India has many dance forms. People usually sort them into two big groups: classical and folk. Each began in a particular place, shaped by local custom, and picked up ideas from elsewhere in the country over time. The Sangeet Natak Akademi, the national academy for the performing arts, calls eight styles classical. All of them trace back to the Natya Shastra, a Sanskrit text on performance, and to Hindu religious practice. Folk dancing is far more numerous and shifts from state to state and community to community. Some artists today blend classical, folk and Western movement. Indian dance has reached other parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia as well.

Classical, court and temple dance 14 dances

Classical Indian dance is dance-drama, a kind of total theatre. The performer carries a story through gesture, and most classical pieces retell Hindu myth. A style is judged well done when it stirs a rasa, an emotion, in the audience by way of bhava, the mood carried in face and body. The Natya Shastra, an old Sanskrit manual, lays down the rules, and every recognized classical style keeps to them. Learning runs through a guru-shishya parampara, a teacher and pupil line, and takes years of text study, exercise and rehearsal with singers and an orchestra.

Folk and regional dances 45 dances

Folk dances are countless in number and style. They live in oral tradition, picked up by watching and joining in rather than from a written text, and handed from one generation to the next. Their steps, songs and occasions belong to a particular state, ethnic group or landscape, so they shift as you travel across the country. A semi-classical dance is one that carried a classical stamp once but drifted into folk practice and lost its texts or its schools. A tribal dance is the more local sort again, held by one community, and over a long period it may widen into a folk dance.

Ritual and ceremonial dance 29 dances

Ritual and worship sit under most of this dancing. The Vedas joined sacrifice to performance: a yajna, the fire offering, was staged almost like a contest, with speakers, sung lines, interludes and a climax. Chapter 13.2 of the Shatapatha Brahmana, from around 800 to 700 BCE, reads as a play between two actors. Temple dancing followed, and the classical styles keep Hindu religious themes at their centre, whether Shaiva, Vaishnava or Shakta. Bharatanatyam and Odissi both began in temple service.

Ballet and contemporary dance

Contemporary work in India tends to be a fusion, mixing classical and folk vocabulary with Western movement, sometimes polished and sometimes openly experimental. Training still leans on the old model, a pupil living and learning with a guru rather than in a large institution. The Sangeet Natak Akademi grants classical status and supports these traditions. Beyond India, classical dance is performed in other countries, including at folklore festivals.

Music and dress

Music and dress are woven into each style. Classical performance uses singers and an orchestra, and the dancer's steps are set to their rhythm. Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi follow Carnatic music, with tala, the rhythmic cycle, and raga, the melodic frame. Kathak dancers wear small bells, the ghungroo, whose jingle marks out their footwork. Kathakali is known for elaborate make-up, costume and face masks. Odissi uses symbolic dress, abhinaya for expression and mudras, the hand gestures. Dancers who read Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, Meitei, Persian or Arabic can reach the older texts first hand.

From region to region

Styles cluster by region. Bharatanatyam comes from Tamil Nadu's temples and is danced mostly by women to Carnatic music. Kathakali, from Kerala, is a story play with painted faces and heavy costume, long the work of men. Kathak belongs to northern, western and central India and once ran through the Mughal courts. Kuchipudi grew in a village of Andhra Pradesh and is tied to Krishna worship. Odissi comes from Odisha's temples, Manipuri from Manipur, Mohiniyattam from Kerala too, and Sattriya from Assam. Beyond the classical eight, tribal dances stay within a single community, and in time some grow into folk dances.

Dance today

Under British colonial rule many of these arts were mocked and pushed aside, and Bharatanatyam and Kathak both suffered. After independence they were taken up again, and Bharatanatyam has become the most widely known classical style at home and abroad. The academy's list of eight gives official standing, and Sattriya holds a place on it. Gaudiya Nritya of West Bengal has no government recognition yet. Film dance keeps the widest audience of all, and teaching still runs through gurus and small schools.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Dance in India", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Ghungroo rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

Cities and regions of India

FormClassical Folk Social Ballroom Street Ritual Court Dance-drama Concert War Mask Historical

FormationSolo Couple Circle Line or chain Set or square Group Procession

🇮🇳 India and 1 moreFolk dance Traditional group dances rooted in local life and passed down through generationsFolk dance · Group · Circle

🇮🇳 IndiaBharatanatyamபரதநாட்டியம் A South Indian classical dance from Tamil Nadu, performed solo in temples and on stages.Classical dance · Solo

🇳🇵 Nepal and 3 moreDeusi-Bhailoदेउसी-भैलो A house-to-house singing and dancing tradition during Tihar in NepalFolk dance · Group · Procession

🇮🇳 India and 1 moreGarba A circle dance from Gujarat performed around a clay pot during the Navratri festival.Folk dance · Circle

🇮🇳 IndiaKalaripayattuകളരിപ്പയറ്റ് An ancient Indian martial art from Kerala involving weapons, strikes, and healing.War or martial dance

🇮🇳 IndiaThang Taꯊꯥꯡ ꯇꯥ A martial art from Manipur using swords, spears, and unarmed movesWar or martial dance · Solo · Group 🇮🇳 IndiaPaika akhada A martial dance with swords and shields from Odisha, rooted in warrior trainingWar or martial dance · Group · Line or chain

🇮🇳 IndiaDhunuchi nritya A dance with incense burners during Durga Puja in BengalFolk dance · Solo · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaRamlilaरामलीला A folk drama of the Ramayana, staged outdoors during Navaratri and DussehraFolk dance · Group · Procession

🇮🇳 IndiaKathakali A classical dance-drama of Kerala with vivid costumes and expressive storytellingClassical dance · Group

🇮🇳 India and 1 moreKathak A North Indian classical dance of rhythm and storytelling, shaped by temple roots and Mughal courts.Classical dance · Solo

🇮🇳 IndiaOdissiଓଡ଼ିଶୀ A classical dance-drama from the temples of Odisha, shaped by devotion and storytellingClassical dance · Solo · Group

🇺🇸 United States and 4 morePole dance A vertical acrobatic dance combining strength and artistry on a chrome or steel column.Social dance · Solo

🇮🇳 IndiaKuchipudi A classical dance-drama from Andhra Pradesh, rooted in Hindu temple traditionClassical dance · Group · Solo

🇮🇳 IndiaMohiniyattam A solo classical dance from Kerala, marked by gentle, swaying movementsClassical dance · Solo

🇮🇳 IndiaKoodiyattamകൂടിയാട്ടം A Sanskrit theatre tradition performed in Kerala's temple theatresClassical dance · Group · Solo

🇮🇳 IndiaChhau A martial and folk dance with masks, performed in eastern India during spring festivalsFolk dance · Group

🇮🇳 India and 1 moreManipuri danceJagoi Raas, Raas Jagoi A classical dance-drama from Manipur, telling stories of Krishna and RadhaClassical dance · Group · Solo

🇧🇹 Bhutan and 2 moreCham danceའཆམ་ A masked Buddhist ritual dance performed at festivals in Tibet, Bhutan, and MongoliaRitual dance · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaYakshaganaಯಕ್ಷಗಾನ A coastal Karnataka dance-drama performed from dusk to dawn with elaborate costumes and live music.Classical dance · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaTandava A vigorous dance of Shiva, seen in Indian classical and ritual traditionsClassical dance · Solo · Group

🇬🇷 Greece and 5 moreCircle dance A group dance in a circle or curved line, joined by hand and led around the floorFolk dance · Circle · Line or chain

🇮🇳 India and 2 moreGiddhaਗਿੱਧਾ A Punjabi women's folk dance in a singing, clapping circleFolk dance · Circle

🇮🇳 IndiaBhangra A high-energy circle dance from Punjab, led by the beat of the dhol drumFolk dance · Circle · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaKalbelia A Rajasthani folk dance by the Kalbelia, echoing the movements of snakesFolk dance · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaBihu dance A group folk dance from Assam, performed at the Bihu spring festivalFolk dance · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaDandiya Raas A stick dance from Gujarat, performed in pairs during NavaratriFolk dance · Couple · Line or chain

🇮🇳 IndiaLavaniलावणी A fast-paced song and dance form from Maharashtra performed to the dholki drum.Folk dance · Solo · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaSattriya A classical dance-drama from Assam, rooted in Vaishnava monastery traditionClassical dance · Solo · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaGhoomarघूमर A circle dance of twirling women, performed at weddings and festivals in RajasthanFolk dance · Circle · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaTheyyamതെയ്യം A North Malabar ritual dance where performers become deities through song and elaborate makeup.Ritual dance · Solo

🇨🇳 China and 6 morePeacock dance A folk dance imitating the peacock, found across South and Southeast AsiaFolk dance · Solo · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaVeeragase A vigorous ritual dance of Karnataka performed by Veerashaiva men to enact the legend of Veerabhadra.Ritual dance · Group

🇹🇷 Turkey and 3 moreSufi whirling A meditative spinning dance practiced by Sufi dervishes during worship ceremoniesRitual dance · Solo · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaDollu Kunitha A vigorous drum dance performed in Karnataka, led by a circle of drummersFolk dance · Group · Circle

🇮🇳 IndiaCheraw A bamboo pole dance of the Mizo people, performed in groups with rhythmic footworkFolk dance · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaFugdi A circle dance of clapping and singing by women in Goa and the KonkanFolk dance · Circle · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaGotipuaଗୋଟିପୁଅ A group dance by boys dressed as women, honouring Krishna in OdishaFolk dance · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaBagurumba A group dance by Boro women, echoing butterflies and nature in AssamFolk dance · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaNatiनाटी A group folk dance from Himachal Pradesh, danced in circles at festivals and celebrationsFolk dance · Circle · Group

🇮🇳 India and 1 moreKarakattam A Tamil folk dance balancing decorated pots on the head in honor of MariammanFolk dance · Solo · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaOttan Thullal A solo recited-and-danced satire from Kerala, performed with drum and cymbalsFolk dance · Solo · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaKrishnanattam A temple dance-drama telling Krishna’s story in eight plays at Guruvayur, KeralaDance-drama · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaThiruvathirakkali A circle dance by women, sung and clapped on Thiruvathira night in KeralaFolk dance · Circle · Group

🇮🇳 IndiaHulivesha A street dance in Karnataka where men painted as tigers perform during festivalsFolk dance · Group · Procession

🇮🇳 IndiaKummattikali A colourful mask dance performed door to door during Onam in KeralaFolk dance · Group · Procession

🇮🇳 India and 1 moreMayilattam A peacock-inspired dance performed at Murugan temples during festivalsFolk dance · Solo

🇮🇳 IndiaLezim A group dance from Maharashtra using jingling hand instruments and energetic stepsFolk dance · Group · Circle

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Bharatanatyam: Arian Zwegers, CC BY 2.0, source
Farandole: Hans Thoma, Public domain, source
Theyyam: Shagil Kannur, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Kathakali: Paul Varuni, CC BY 2.0, source
Ottan Thullal: bobinson, CC BY 2.0, source
Krishnanattam: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, CC BY 2.0, source
Giddha: University of the Fraser Valley, CC BY 2.0, source
Yakshagana: Krishnamoorthy Sudhakar, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Tandava: Unknown author, Public domain, source
Pole dance: Raul Lanus, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Lavani: Dakutaa at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Mayilattam: Vaikoovery, CC BY 3.0, source
Dhunuchi nritya: Amitbsws, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Ramlila: Ankit Gupta, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Deusi-Bhailo: Enepal Khabar Official, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Thang Ta: Rameshgraphix, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Manipuri dance: https://www.flickr.com/photos/matsukin/, CC BY 2.0, source
Kuchipudi: Augustus Binu / facebook, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Mohiniyattam: Shagil Kannur, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Chhau: Skasish, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Odissi: Melolagnia28192, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Koodiyattam: Sreekanthv at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Bihu dance: Digantatalukdar, CC0, source
Thiruvathirakkali: Syam Subramanian, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Sattriya: User: Sattriyadance, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Kalbelia: Kenneth Lewis, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Peacock dance: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Hulivesha: Premnath Kudva, CC BY 3.0, source
Lezim: Runabhattacharjee, CC0, source
Dandiya Raas: User:psubhashish, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Cham dance: Arian Zwegers, CC BY 2.0, source
Folk dance: Francisco Pajares, Jr., CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Karakattam: தகவலுழவன், CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Sufi whirling: myself, Public domain, source
Dollu Kunitha: Navaneeth Krishnan S, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Bagurumba: Bodoland Territorial Council, CC0, source
Fugdi: Ramesh Lalwani, CC BY 2.0, source
Ghoomar: Aali Jain, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Gotipua: Rangan Datta Wiki, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Nati: Ramesh Lalwani, CC BY 2.0, source
Kummattikali: Aruna at ml.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Bhangra: Jimmysekhon25, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Cheraw: Ramesh Lalwani, CC BY 2.0, source
Kathak: Shinjinikulkarni, CC BY 4.0, source
Garba: anurag agnihotri, CC BY 2.0, source
Kalaripayattu: Ginu Plathottam, CC0, source
Veeragase: Pavanaja, CC BY-SA 4.0, source