Dance Forms of India – Important List for Competitive Exams

India has a rich tradition of classical, folk, and tribal dances. Different regions of India have their own unique dance forms, which reflect the country's diverse culture and traditions. The following list is useful for ADRE, SSC, UPSC, Banking, Railways, and other competitive examinations.

Classical Dance Forms of India

Dance Form| State/Region

Bharatanatyam| Tamil Nadu

Kathak| North India

Kathakali| Kerala

Kuchipudi| Andhra Pradesh

Odissi| Odisha

Manipuri| Manipur

Mohiniyattam| Kerala

Sattriya| Assam

Important Facts

- Bharatanatyam — Classical dance of Tamil Nadu.

- Kathak — Classical dance mainly associated with North India.

- Kathakali — Classical dance-drama of Kerala.

- Kuchipudi — Classical dance of Andhra Pradesh.

- Odissi — Classical dance of Odisha.

- Manipuri — Classical dance of Manipur.

- Mohiniyattam — Classical dance of Kerala.

- Sattriya — Classical dance of Assam, traditionally associated with the Sattras and the Vaishnavite tradition of Assam.

Important Folk Dances of India

Dance Form| State/Region

Bihu| Assam

Bagurumba| Assam

Bhortal| Assam

Ghoomar| Rajasthan

Kalbelia| Rajasthan

Garba| Gujarat

Dandiya Raas| Gujarat

Lavani| Maharashtra

Lezim| Maharashtra

Bhangra| Punjab

Giddha| Punjab

Rouf| Jammu & Kashmir

Dumhal| Jammu & Kashmir

Nati| Himachal Pradesh

Chholiya| Uttarakhand

Panthi| Chhattisgarh

Karma| Madhya Pradesh / Chhattisgarh

Gaur Maria| Chhattisgarh

Dalkhai| Odisha

Ghumura| Odisha

Dollu Kunitha| Karnataka

Yakshagana| Karnataka

Kummi| Tamil Nadu

Kolattam| Tamil Nadu / Andhra Pradesh

Thiruvathirakali| Kerala

Kaikottikali| Kerala

Cheraw| Mizoram

Wangala Dance| Meghalaya

Chang Lo| Nagaland

Hojagiri| Tripura

Pung Cholom| Manipur

Bardo Chham| Arunachal Pradesh

Dance Forms of North-East India

State| Important Dance Forms

Assam| Bihu, Bagurumba, Sattriya, Bhortal

Arunachal Pradesh| Bardo Chham, Ponung

Manipur| Manipuri, Pung Cholom, Thang-Ta

Meghalaya| Wangala, Nongkrem

Mizoram| Cheraw

Nagaland| Chang Lo

Tripura| Hojagiri

Sikkim| Singhi Chham, Maruni

Frequently Asked One-Liners

- Bharatanatyam → Tamil Nadu

- Kathak → North India

- Kathakali → Kerala

- Kuchipudi → Andhra Pradesh

- Odissi → Odisha

- Manipuri → Manipur

- Mohiniyattam → Kerala

- Sattriya → Assam

- Bihu → Assam

- Garba → Gujarat

- Ghoomar → Rajasthan

- Lavani → Maharashtra

- Bhangra → Punjab

- Cheraw → Mizoram

- Hojagiri → Tripura

- Wangala → Meghalaya

- Yakshagana → Karnataka

Exam Tip

For competitive exams, remember the Dance Form + State combination first. Questions are commonly asked in the form of “Which state is associated with this dance?” or “Which dance form belongs to this state?”