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Identify this dance form.

ANSWER: Kinnauri Nati of Himachal Pradesh. This beautiful dance form eloquently expresses the pristine beauty of the hilly state in the elegant movement resembling gentleness of hilly breeze and rhythmic swaying of trees.

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This is a mythological mask dance based on various episodes of epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. This dance form has three subgenres based on the place of origin.

What is name of this folk dance?

ANSWER: Purulia Chhau from West Bengal. Chhau is a genre of tribal martial dance. It has 3 sub genres based on its places of origin and development

- Purulia Chhau
- Mayurbhanj Chhau
- Seraikella Chhau
It was originally performed towards the end of month March-April. The performace is epical in content.

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Identify the folk dance in the picture below.

ANSWER: Dalkhai from western Orissa. Its mostly performed on the Dusserah festival. Mostly dances by young women and men join as drummers and musicians. The women generally dress themselves with colorful "Sambalpuri" sarees and wear scarf on shoulders.

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This devotional dance form is performed on special occassions by a group of men, wearing long colorful robes and detailed conical caps.The dances belongs to the land of paradise and performed to invoke divine blessings.

What is this traditional folk dance called?

ANSWER: Dumhal from Kashmir; the paradise of earth. Its performed by the men folk of the Wattal tribe of Kashmir on specific occasions. The musical accompaniment comprises a drum and the vocal singing of the participants.

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Rythm by hands and faster feet movement as the dance progresses moving in the circles. Females dance revelling joy and singing slogans knows as "bolis". Wearing bright beautiful color dresses, this dance comes from one of the most colorful and prosperous states of India.

What is this dance form called?

ANSWER: Giddha from the land of five rivers; Punjab. As energetic as Bhangra, this is a popular women folk dance. Women/girls stand in a circle, clap their hands and sing slogans called as "bolis". These 'bolis' cover a variety if themes such as excesses committed by husbands and mothers-in-law. Mimicry is also very popular in Giddha. One girl may play the aged bridegroom and another his young bride; or one may play a quarrel-some sister-in-law and another a humble bride. In this way Giddha provides for all the best forum for venting of one's emotions.

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This joyous dance is of brisk steps and rapid hand movements, performed by youth. Colorful dressings in colorful spring festival. It comes from the state that brings us "Good Morning".

What is this dance called?

ANSWER: Bihu from the tea state, Assam. This joyous dance is performed both by men and women. Dancers in colorful traditional costumes perform brisk dance steps and rapid hand movements. The music is provided by dhol;the drum, mohor singor pepa; a pipe made of buffalo horn, tala; a cymbal, gogona; a reed and bamboo instrument, toka; bamboo clapper

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This dance comes form the heart of India. Its a part of a ritual to appease their deity. With their faces covered, music on bodies and heavy heads, they sing from their hearts for their god. 
What is this dance form called?

Answer : "Tera Tali" from Madhya Pradesh, performed by Kamar tribe. A group of women, generally two or three sit on the ground, with ;manjiras' tied on different parts of their bodies. With the cymbal in their hand they strike the majiras in thirtenn different ways, creating musical sounds. So it gets the name "Tera Tali". The dancers faces are covered in veil, naked sword in mouth and brass pots on heads.

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The snake charmers' dance, in long black skirts with silver ribbons. They spin in circles and sway their bodies acrobatically, making it one of the most sensuous folk dance forms.

ANSWER : KAALBELIYA from Rajasthan. The dance is performed by the Kaalbeliya tribe. The main occupation of the tribe is catching snakes and trading snake venom. Hence the dance movements and the costumes bear resemblance to that of the serpents

Folk Dances Of India

I was elated in the moment US won the silver medal in Vancouver 2010 pair ice skaitng - original dance for the Bollywood dance. Their flawless performance was absolute. However, it was a little disappointing to hear when the Bollywood dance was announced as the Indian Folk Dance.


Its great to watch the class in the first Indian dance talent hunt show, Dance India Dance. With its increasing popularity it made to its Season2. However, when the public voting starts, its sad to see dancers performing Indian dance forms get voted out. Is it because of lack of awareness? I wish.


As a child and teenager I grew up with dance becoming my passion. Though feel incomplete that I could never complete any of the profesional trainings, either due to dad's transfers, studies blah blah blah. But this irregularity never restrained me from reading and learning about dance. On one hand, the misrepresnted information on the world stage of Olympics and on the other the in-house ignorance, makes me somber. To be able to appreciate our culture and heritage, I have been reading and learning about Folk Dances Of India. I want to use this freespace for a QUIZ on Indian folk dances. One question would be posted daily followed by its answer the next day. Do not hold yourself back from participation.