FOLK DANCES OF INDIA — REGIONAL TRADITIONS, FEATURES AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

FOLK DANCES OF INDIA — REGIONAL TRADITIONS, FEATURES AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

1. Introduction

• Folk dances are community-based dance traditions associated with local festivals, seasons, harvests, religious practices, social occasions and everyday life.
• Unlike classical dances, they are generally transmitted through community practice rather than through a fixed codified grammar.
• India’s folk dances reflect its extraordinary regional, linguistic, tribal and cultural diversity. (Sathee)

2. Bhangra and Giddha — Punjab

• Bhangra is an energetic folk dance of Punjab traditionally associated with harvest celebrations, especially Baisakhi.
• It is characterised by vigorous movements and the strong rhythm of the dhol.
• Giddha is an important women’s folk dance of Punjab, performed with clapping, singing and expressive movements.
• Both have become powerful symbols of Punjabi culture.

3. Garba and Dandiya Raas — Gujarat

• Garba is a devotional group dance of Gujarat performed especially during Navratri.
• Dancers generally move in circular formations around a lamp or sacred representation of the Goddess.
• Dandiya Raas uses decorated sticks and is performed rhythmically in groups.
• Garba was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023. (Sathee)

4. Ghoomar and Kalbelia — Rajasthan

• Ghoomar is a graceful traditional dance of Rajasthan, especially associated with women performing in circular formations.
• Its flowing movements and colourful swirling ghaghras make it visually distinctive.
• Rajasthan is also famous for Kalbelia, performed by the Kalbelia community with movements inspired by serpents.
• Kalbelia was placed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2010. (Sathee)

5. Bihu — Assam

• Bihu dance is one of Assam’s best-known cultural traditions and is closely associated with Rongali or Bohag Bihu, marking spring and the Assamese New Year.
• Both men and women participate in energetic group performances.
• Traditional instruments include the dhol, pepa and gogona.
• Its themes celebrate youth, fertility, agriculture and seasonal renewal. (Sathee)

6. Chhau — Eastern India