Friends,

Today is International Dance Day, which is celebrated every year on April 29 to promote the art of dance and its cultural diversity.

India. being a land of diverse cultures has a rich heritage of folk dances. While some dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Bhangra have gained global recognition, there are several lesser-known folk dances that are equally vibrant and mesmerizing.

Today, I would like to explore some of the lesser-known folk dances of India.

Bihu Dance – Assam

Bihu is a traditional folk dance from Assam that is performed during the festival of Bihu. The dance is performed by both men and women and involves fast-paced movements and footwork.

The dancers wear colorful traditional attire and perform to the beats of the dhol and Pepa, a traditional musical instrument. The Bihu dance celebrates the harvest season and is a symbol of happiness and joy.

Cheraw Dance – Mizoram

The Cheraw dance is a traditional dance from Mizoram that is performed by the Mara tribe. The dance involves a group of men and women who sit facing each other on the ground and clap bamboo sticks together in rhythmic patterns.

The dancers then step and dance in between the sticks without touching them. The Cheraw dance is a symbol of unity and harmony among the Mara tribe.

Thirayattam dance – Kerala

Thirayattam is a traditional dance from Kerala that is performed during temple festivals. The dance involves elaborate costumes and masks and is performed by a group of men who represent various characters from Hindu mythology.

The dancers move in a circular pattern and perform intricate steps to the beats of traditional instruments. Thirayattam is a form of storytelling through dance and is a popular art form in Kerala.

Kalbelia Dance – Rajasthan

The Kalbelia dance is a traditional dance from Rajasthan that is performed by the Kalbelia tribe. The dance is characterized by fast-paced movements and snake-like twists and turns.

The dancers wear colorful traditional attire and perform to the beats of the dholak and pungi, a traditional wind instrument. The Kalbelia dance is a symbol of the tribe’s nomadic way of life and their close association with snakes.

Kud dance – Jammu

Kud dance is a folk dance from Jammu, performed by the Dogra community after the harvesting of crops is finished. It is a ritual to thank the Gram Devta or village deity for protecting crops.

The steps are quite simple and men, as well as women of all ages, enjoy the dance. The men wear kurtas and churidars, along with a turban, and the women wear Salwar Kameez. The lively beats of drums, flutes, and trumpets accompany the dance.

Yakshagana dance – Karnataka

Yakshagana is a traditional dance form from Karnataka that is performed during temple festivals. The dance involves elaborate costumes and makeup and is performed by both men and women who represent various characters from Hindu mythology.

The dancers move in a circular pattern and perform intricate steps to the beats of traditional instruments. Yakshagana is a form of storytelling through dance and is a popular art form in Karnataka.

Dandiya Raas – Gujrat

Dandiya Raas is a folk dance from the state of Gujarat. It is performed during the festival of Navratri, which celebrates the victory of good over evil. The dancers hold colorful sticks called dandiyas and move in a circular formation, tapping the sticks rhythmically.

The dance is accompanied by traditional Gujarati music and is a popular form of socializing and celebration in the state.

Chhau dance – Jharkhand

Chhau is a tribal dance form from the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. It is characterized by intricate acrobatic movements and elaborate masks worn by the performers.

The dance form is usually performed during festivals like Holi and Dussehra and is believed to have originated as a form of martial arts training.

Bhootam dance – Tamil Nadu

As the name suggests, the dance is performed to ward off evil spirits. This is very common in the coastal cultures of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. It has animistic elements and is ritualistic in nature.

Only male dancers perform it. The extensive preparations before the actual performance and the coconut and palm leaves used for costumes, call for patience and perseverance. The performance takes place in front of idols of the village deities, usually carved out of wood and painted in bold colors.

Friends, the folk dances of India are diverse and unique, and each dance form has its own story to tell.

On International Dance Day, it is essential to appreciate and celebrate the beauty of these traditional dance forms and encourage people to participate in dancing activities.

Dancing is not just an art form, but it is also a way of expressing oneself and connecting with others. So let’s put on our dancing shoes and celebrate the joy of dancing .

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Categories: infotainment

Tags: #culture, #dance, #folk, #international