India’s classical and folk dances (How many do you know?)

Indian Classical Dance Forms (Recognized by Sangeet Natak Akademi)

1. Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu) – Fire dance
   • Based on Natya Shastra, associated with Lord Shiva (Nataraja).
   • Traditionally temple dance, now stage art.
2. Kathakali (Kerala) – Sky/ether dance
   • Dance-drama enacting epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata.
   • Noted for mudras, facial expressions, elaborate make-up.
3. Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh) – Earth dance
   • Similar to Bharatanatyam, accompanied by Carnatic music.
4. Sattriya (Assam)
   • Originated in Vaishnav monasteries.
   • Recognized as a classical dance in 2000.
5. Mohiniyattam (Kerala) – Air dance
   • Graceful solo performance by women.
   • Mythology: Lord Vishnu as Mohini.
6. Manipuri (Manipur)
   • Themes: Radha-Krishna bhakti, spiritual.
   • Delicate expressions and hand movements.

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💃 Major Indian Folk Dances by State

Assam

• Bihu – Celebrates New Year, performed by men and women.
• Bagurumba – Bodo tribe, nature-inspired.
• Bhortal Nritya – High-speed group dance.
• Jhumur – Adivasi dance, emotional themes.

Bihar

• Bidesia – Socio-political themes, male-only enactment.
• Jat-Jatin – Duet dance with social themes.
• Jhijhian – Rain-invoking ritual by women.
• Paika – Martial dance with swords.

Gujarat

• Dandiya Raas – Performed with sticks, popular during Navratri.
• Garba – Devotional dance to Goddess Ambaji.
• Bhavai – Balancing act with pots on head.
• Tippani – Relief dance post hard labour.

Haryana

• Phag, Saang, Chhathi – Festival and life-cycle dances.
• Dhamal – Men-only harvest dance.
• Ghoomar – Fast-paced clapping, swirling, humorous lyrics.

Himachal Pradesh

• Mala, Chhambha, Cholamba – Nature and spirit-based.
• Dhadhair, Kaydayat – Weapon and sword dances.
• Nuala, Jhoori – Religious and Q&A formats.

Jammu & Kashmir

• Kud – Thanksgiving to deities.
• Dumhal – Colourful group dance with banners.
• Rouf – Women’s Eid dance with intricate footwork.
• Bhand Pather – Dance drama.
• Hafiza, Bachha Nagma, Wuegi Nachun – Wedding and festive performances.

📘 MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

1. Which classical dance form is described as a “fire dance” and symbolically represents the celebration of the universe?
   A) Kathak
   B) Bharatanatyam
   C) Kuchipudi
   D) Mohiniyattam
2. Kathakali is associated with which of the following elements in classical symbolism?
   A) Water
   B) Earth
   C) Sky/Ether
   D) Air
3. Which classical dance form is traditionally performed only by women and has its mythological roots in the story of Mohini?
   A) Kathak
   B) Mohiniyattam
   C) Manipuri
   D) Kuchipudi
4. Which dance form is known for being the latest to be recognised as a classical dance by the Sangeet Natak Akademi?
   A) Sattriya
   B) Chhau
   C) Manipuri
   D) Odissi
5. Kuchipudi is primarily associated with which Indian state?
   A) Tamil Nadu
   B) Andhra Pradesh
   C) Odisha
   D) Kerala
6. The Manipuri dance is known for its:
   A) Vigorous footwork
   B) Use of swords and shields
   C) Spiritual and religious nature
   D) Heavy facial expressions
7. Which dance is known as a warrior dance and involves swords and shields?
   A) Paika
   B) Dhamal
   C) Chhau
   D) Kaydayat
8. Which folk dance from Assam is inspired by natural elements such as animals, plants, and rivers?
   A) Bhortal Nritya
   B) Jhumur
   C) Bihu
   D) Bagurumba
9. Which Bihar folk dance is performed exclusively by women to appease Indra, the rain god?
   A) Jat-Jatin
   B) Bidesia
   C) Paika
   D) Jhijhian
10. Which folk dance is associated with balancing earthen pots and emotions, often performed all night?
    A) Garba
    B) Dandiya
    C) Bhavai
    D) Tippani
11. Which folk dance of Gujarat is performed with sticks in concentric circles during Navratri?
    A) Bhavai
    B) Garba
    C) Tippani
    D) Dandiya Raas
12. Which Haryana folk dance is performed by women and involves swirling and clapping as the tempo increases?
    A) Saang
    B) Chhathi
    C) Ghoomar
    D) Dhamal
13. Which Himachali dance involves forming serpent-like shapes and is performed when a tiger is killed?
    A) Cholamba
    B) Chhambha
    C) Jhoori
    D) Kaydayat
14. Which Jammu & Kashmir folk dance is performed by women during Eid and Ramzan?
    A) Kud
    B) Rouf
    C) Dumhal
    D) Bhand Pather
15. Which classical dance form involves storytelling through facial expressions and intricate hand gestures (mudras)?
    A) Kathakali
    B) Manipuri
    C) Kuchipudi
    D) Sattriya
16. Which dance form has connections to the Natya Shastra and is believed to be performed by Lord Shiva as Nataraja?
    A) Bharatanatyam
    B) Kathak
    C) Mohiniyattam
    D) Odissi
17. Which dance form includes male dancers playing female roles and engages with themes like tradition vs. modernity?
    A) Jhijhian
    B) Bidesia
    C) Jat-Jatin
    D) Bhortal
18. Which Manipuri dance theme revolves around Radha and Krishna devotion?
    A) Sattriya
    B) Sankirtana
    C) Bhortal
    D) Jhumur
19. Which folk dance is based on swordplay and intensifies with musical tempo in Himachal Pradesh?
    A) Chhambha
    B) Kaydayat
    C) Dhadhair
    D) Nuala
20. Which form is described as an ‘air dance’ and is linked to the myth of Vishnu’s Mohini avatar?
    A) Kathakali
    B) Sattriya
    C) Mohiniyattam
    D) Manipuri
21. Which folk dance of Assam was derived from the classical Sattriya dance and is performed to fast beats?
    A) Jhumur
    B) Bagurumba
    C) Bhortal Nritya
    D) Bihu
22. Which folk dance is performed by Kashmiri Pandit women around bridal rangoli?
    A) Bachha Nagma
    B) Hafiza
    C) Wuegi Nachun
    D) Kud
23. Which dance involves planting a banner and dancing around it with colorful robes and conical caps?
    A) Rouf
    B) Dumhal
    C) Hafiza
    D) Kud
24. Which folk form in Haryana uses satire and humor to express contemporary issues?
    A) Saang
    B) Ghoomar
    C) Chhathi
    D) Dhamal
25. Which dance from Bihar is known as a duet dance with emotionally charged themes?
    A) Jhijhian
    B) Paika
    C) Jat-Jatin
    D) Bidesia

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✅ Answers

1. B) Bharatanatyam
2. C) Sky/Ether
3. B) Mohiniyattam
4. A) Sattriya
5. B) Andhra Pradesh
6. C) Spiritual and religious nature
7. A) Paika
8. D) Bagurumba
9. D) Jhijhian
10. C) Bhavai
11. D) Dandiya Raas
12. C) Ghoomar
13. A) Cholamba
14. B) Rouf
15. A) Kathakali
16. A) Bharatanatyam
17. B) Bidesia
18. B) Sankirtana
19. B) Kaydayat
20. C) Mohiniyattam
21. C) Bhortal Nritya
22. C) Wuegi Nachun
23. B) Dumhal
24. B) Ghoomar
25. C) Jat-Jatin