Woven Cultural Tapestry of Folk Dances in India

Culture is defined as a people’s way of life. This can encompass how they dress, how they speak, the type of food they eat, the manner in which they worship, and their art among many other things. And we know that culture is propagated by the people in a society, the habits they have, how they live.

Indian culture has been shaped by its long history and its diverse geography. India is a land of diversities. There is diversity in pottery, paintings, climates, natural creations, and more. Indian folk culture is so varied that it would be difficult to generalise it. However, as with all folk cultures it has been handed down by oral tradition and has a strong sense of community.

The fabric of Indian folk culture has been spun with yarns from different cultures, and it is this cultural diversity that makes Indian folk culture interesting and colourful.

Like all other aspects of life, the dance forms of India are also varied and different. There are many types of dance forms in India, from those which are folk dances to deeply religious forms to small styles to grandiose occasions. In a world where others boast of ballroom dancing classes, it is refreshing to see folk dance continue to hold its ground. It remains an integral part of India’s culture.

Given the importance that folklore and folk stories have held in Indian culture and history, perhaps it is that fascination that gives Indian culture its distinctive flavour. The folk dances of any community are performed on almost every special occasion and festival, to express elation and joy. These dances are also considered to be auspicious by many of the tribal communities in the country.

Every folk dance has its own specific costume and jewelry, which differs from dance to dance. They are, in general, very bright and colorful, with traditional jewelries that give a folk touch to the performance. They are also often made from nature and the Earth, a testament to the culture and environment these people’s communities thrive in. These dances are not only the exclusive art of a particular community, but also an asset of India’s cultural heritage.

India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions. Each region of the country has a unique culture, which is also prominently visible in its various art forms. Almost all the regions of the country have their specific folk music and dance, which is a unique way of expression of their community and its traditions. Though these folk dances are not as complex as the classical dance forms, they are very beautiful, because of the simplicity and pure emotion in them. The dances of India vary and each state has several forms of dance. The Bihu of Assam, the Lavni of Maharashtra, the Bhangra of Punjab, and the Ghoomar of Haryana are some of the well known folk dances.

Folk dance can be defined in the simplest words as a form of dance, developed by a group of people, which reflects the traditional life of the people of a certain country or region. This form of dancing involves a group of happy people, often telling a story to the viewers.

The various regions and dance styles that have been studied thus far are a testament to the statements made above.

In Kashmir, the culture is a blend of South Asian, Persian, and Central Asian cultures. This blending of cultures has led to a very distinct culture that is reflected in their Dumhal dance. This dance form is of devotional type and is famous for the vibrant costumes along with a decorative conical cap.

Punjab, the land of five rivers, is famous for their dances that symbolize the land that they hold dear. Punjab is one of the richest cultures with songs full of high energy. These popular dances, including Bhangra, Giddha, Kikli, Jhumar, and more symbolize the fertile soil around them and harvest importance. The traditional dress is kurta-pyjama with turban for men and Patiala suits for women with rich colors.

The people of Himachal Pradesh have a rich culture with their music and dance revolving around religion. Through their dance and music, people look to Gods during festivals and other special occasions. Some of the dance forms of Himachal are Losar Shona Chuksam (Kinnaur), Dangi (Chamba), Gee Dance and Burah dance.

Haryana’s culture is reflective of this colourful state. Deeply entrenched in the rich cultural heritage of the Vedic period and nestled at the banks of the holy River Saraswati and River Godavari, this is the place where Lord Krishna narrated the divine Bhagvad Gita to Arjuna during the epic battle of Mahabharata. This deep history and culture results in dances for various occasions and seasons with rich folk music to play alongside.

The humble and simple state of Uttarakhand has simple culture and traditional values. This is reflected in its folk dance as well — their dances like Barada Nati, Bhotiya Dance, Choliya dance, and more, are delightfully performed for even the smallest of successes.

Jharkhand culture is rich and diverse and as a result unique in its very own way. Archaeologists have unearthed pre-Harappan pottery, prehistoric cave paintings and rock-art from various parts of Jharkhand with elaborate design motifs, animal and plant forms, and fertility motifs. The colours used are all natural shades, red oxide from stone, red ochre, kaolin white, manganese black earth etc. Dance forms for men echo warrior-like movements of battles fought long ago. Observations of animal and bird behaviour were also blended into the dancing.

The small state of Manipur is vibrant with colours with the Raas Lila, which is the love story of Radha and Krishna, as one of the most famous dance forms and a testament to the influence Hinduism has had on their culture.

The tribal culture of Meghalaya is traced with wood-carving, bamboo work, and natural jewelries made of clay and the like. The natural culture has led to extremely natural dance forms that are rich with their jewelry and movements close to the ground.

The friendly people of Gujarat have many forms of dance to express their joy and happiness. Dandiya Raas is performed by both men and women and utilizes movement of bamboo sticks, known as Dandiyas. It has ancient roots and was believed to be played by the beloved Gopis of Lord Krishna.

The list of folk dances in India can go on… these ones cited above are by no means exhaustive of their areas and there are still many more states in India to go. With even just the brief summaries given above, however, it is evident how cultural diversity has propagated throughout folk dance in India. The environments of each group has influenced their jewelry, instruments, and dance motions. Their cultural history has influenced the stories they tell and the representation of religion in their messages.

If nothing else should be clear, the cultural diversity of India runs through and through these folk dance forms.

These folk dances are infused with simplicity due to them being “of the people”. They work to preserve the rich cultural traditions of India through their illustration of religious mythology, their songs based on folklore and their dance sequences that speak of stories close to the heart. They are instrumental in the spread of social values and ethics and religious and philosophical ideas.

Whether it is Indian folk music, dance, or art they are all reminiscent of the rich Indian culture.