Indian Folk Dances: Andhra Pradesh & Arunachal Pradesh

Introduction to Folk Dances

• Folk dances are diverse, extending beyond the eight classical dances recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
• These dances can portray various scenarios, like a woman dancing when her partner leaves for work.
• Questions frequently involve matching dances to states.
• Identification questions may describe dances (e.g., related to sowing or harvest).

Andhra Pradesh Folk Dances

• Andhra Pradesh's folk dances: Veeranatyam, Dhimsa, Kolattam, Bhamakalapam, Burra Katha, Bonalu, Butta Bommalu, Lambadi, Dappu.
• Mnemonic: "Veer logon ke liye dheeme se koyle ki bhap se burra bana lu."
  • Veer = Veeranatyam
  • Dheeme = Dhimsa
  • Koyle = Kolattam
  • Bhap = Bhamakalapam
  • Burra = Burra Katha
  • Bonalu/Butta Bommalu
  • Veer logon se lambaadi and Dappu

Arunachal Pradesh Folk Dances

• Arunachal Pradesh folk dances: Ajilamu, Wancho, Buya, Pasi Kongki, Mask Dance, Lion and Peacock Dance, Bardo Chham, Popir, Rakhampada.
• Mnemonic: "Rekha ji bol rahi hai, 'Aji Wancho, Baua ke paas chalo aur mask laga ke Lion and Peacock Dance dekho.'"
  • Aji = Ajilamu
  • Wancho = Wancho Dance
  • Baua = Buya Dance
  • Paas chalo = Pasi Kongki
  • Mask = Mask Dance
  • Lion and Peacock = Lion and Peacock Dance
  • Rakhampada

Assam Folk Dances

• Assam's folk dances: Bhor Tal, Jhumur, Bagurumba, Bihu, Ali Ai Ligang, Devdhan.
• Bihu is well-known, associate with Bahu.
• Jhumur has various names in different regions.
• Bihu and Ali Ai Ligang are covered in a festivals lecture.

Bihar Folk Dances

• Bihar's folk dances: Bidesia, Dhobia, Jhijhia, Jat-Jatin, Jharni, Sohar Khilona, Chhau, Kajri.
• "iya" ending dances are likely from Bihar (Bidesia, Dhobia, Jhijhia).
• Jat-Jatin involves a newly-wed couple at a Kajri-adorned waterfall at 6 pm.
• Chhau is a mask dance from "Chhaya" (shadow), originally martial art.

Chattisgarh Folk Dances

• Chhattisgarh's folk dances: Kaksar, Sua Nacha, Karma, Gendi Dance, Gaur Maria, Panthi, Pando, Saila Dance.
• Mnemonic: "Aksar Suva karma na karke Gediya Marte hain, Pagalpanthi karte hain aur Pando ke saath jhumar ke niche Sela Dance karte hain."
  • Suva nacha = Parrot Dance
  • Kaksar common in other states
• Tijan Bai is associated with this form

Gujarat Folk Dances

• Gujarat folk dances: Garba, Dandiya Raas, Bhavai, Tippani, Hudo, Padhar, Siddhi Dhamal, Lasya, Matukadi, Vichhudo.
• Mnemonic: "Gujarat ki Gopiya Dandiya khelne seediyo se matak matak ke Padhar rahi hain."
  • Dandiya/ Garba
  • Sidhi Dhamal
  • Matuka
  • Padhar

Goa Folk Dances

• Goa's folk dances: Mando, Ghode Modni, Talgarhi, Fugdi, Jagor, Dekhni, Tarangmel, Dhalo, Goff, Romat, Savari.
• Mnemonic: "Mandvi ghode aur gaadi se jaguhaar dekhne and Patang udaane Goa jaa rahi hain. Chalo gaon, ro mat, so jao, jaake."
  • Mando: Most common

Himachal Pradesh Folk Dances

• Himachal Pradesh folk dances: Nati, Jhora, Jhali, Dhaman, Rakshas, Chholamba, Karcha, Shand and Shabu, Dangi, Chhapei, Chham.
• Mnemonic: "Nata Chora Aman Him pe Rakshaso ka Chola Odke Sad pe baithke dang leke Chapa Chapa kar raha hai."

Haryana Folk Dances

• Haryana's folk dances: Dhamal, Jhoomar, Manjira, Phag, Loor, Daph, Khoria, Gugga.
• Mnemonic: Haryana ki chhoriyan Daphli aur Manjira le ke jhumar ke niche Dhaamal macha rahi hain.
• Haryana ke Panchkula ke chhoriyan.

Jammu and Kashmir Folk Dances

• Jammu and Kashmir folk dances: Rouf, Hikat, Bhand Pather, Dhumal, Hafiza.
• Mnemonic: "Harris Rouf Bhand ho ke Manali mey kood raha hai"

Jharkhand Folk Dances

• Jharkhand's folk dances: Karma, Pika, Mundari, Domkach, Jhumair, Chhau, Sarhul.
• Common dances

Karnataka Folk Dances

• Karnataka's folk dances: Yakshagana, Bolak, Kamsaale, Dollu Kunitha, Bhuta Aradhane, Nagamandala.
• Mnemonic: "Yash Bola kam kar sale nhii to doll aayegii bhut bankar"

Kerala Folk Dances

• Kerala's folk dances: Theyyam, Kaikottikali, Thappattikali, Thiruvathirakali, Kali Attam, Kolkali, Ottam.
• "Attam" ending names usually from Kerala or Tamil Nadu; Li, ni di Atam = Kerala.

Madhya Pradesh Folk Dances

• Madhya Pradesh's folk dances: Jawara, Matki, Phulpati, Tertali, Lehangi, Aada, Khada Nach, Bhagoria, Kaksar, March.
• Mnemonic: "Aksar Sir Goriya Adha dikhane ke liye matki me jawara or Fulpatti rakh ke Manch par Khada nachati he tali bjhati he " March is in the malwa region

Manipur Folk Dances

• Manipur's folk dances: Lai Haraoba, Raaslila, Khamba Thoibi, Pung Cholom.
• Mnemonic: A doll dressed in chola did rasslilla after jagging"
• Pung Cholom is the soul of manipuri music

Meghalaya Folk Dances

• Meghalaya's folk dances: Nongkrem, Bangala, Behdiengkhlam, Shad Sukmynsiem, Laho.
• Garo, Khasi, jayantia.
• Mnemonic: "Nange Karem karta he to kasi aati he"

Mizoram Folk Dances

• Mizoram's folk dances: Cheraw, Khuallam, Chheihlam, Mim, Chawnglaizawn.
• Cheraw is also called bamboo dance.
• Mnemonic: "Mizoram ke Manch par Khullam, Chillum or Jang chal rahi he"

Maharashtra Folk Dances

• Maharashtra's folk dances: Lavani, Dhangari Gaja, Koli, Lezim, Tamasha, Povada.
• Mnemonic: "Eh koli Vada pao lana Varna mohini dang ka natak ke pas chala jaunga"
• Lavani is the most common.

Nagaland Folk Dances

• Nagaland's folk dances: Changai Dance, Aaluyattu, Agurshikushu, Mayur Dance, Zeilang, Khamba Lim, Leshalaptu.
• Mnemonic: "Bambou me aalu bharke buterfly or jo reng rhe he unko khila do

Odisha Folk Dances

• Odisha's folk dances: Gotipua, Dal Khai, Danda Nata, Ghumra, Baagh Naach, Chhau.
• Mnemonic: "Pua khaya or dal khai danda lekr bgaa or ghumra to run le rha he"

Rajasthan Folk Dances

• Rajasthan's folk dances: Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Bhavai, Kachhi Ghodi, Tera Tali.
• Ghoomer for goedit parvarti
• Mnemonic: Rajas ganga or kal ghume the chaar thali sunaini ke saath

Sikkim Folk Dances

• Sikkim's folk dances: Singhi Chham, Yak Chham, Tashi Shabdo.
• Lepacha and Bhutia community
• The Cham dance is performed on losoong festival

Tamil Nadu Folk Dances

• Tamil Nadu's folk dances: Bharatanatyam, Kummi, Kolattam, Kavadi Attam.
• Kavadi is for lord marugan

Telangana Folk Dances

• Telangana's folk dances: Perini Thandavam, Gussadi Dance, Lambadi.
• Gussadi dance by Raj Gonds

Tripura Folk Dances

• Tripura's folk dances: Hojagiri, Garia, Jhum, Maimita, Mosak Sumani, Lebang Boomani.
• Hojagiri is performed by the Tripuri tribe

Uttar Pradesh Folk Dances

• Uttar Pradesh's folk dances: Kathak, Raslila, Nautanki, Kajri, Charkula.

Uttrakhand Folk Dances

• Folk dances of Uttarakhand: Barada Nati, Choliya, Jaggar, Jhora, Langvir Dance, Pandav Nritya, Ramola, Shotiya, Thali-Jadda.

Key Points

• Folk dances may have regional variations.
• Several dances are practiced in multiple states.

Important Martial Art Forms of India:

• Kalaripayattu: Kerala
• Silambam: Tamil Nadu
• Gatka: Punjab
• Thang-Ta: Manipur
• Lathi Khela: West Bengal
• Inbuan Wrestling: Mizoram
• Musti Yuddha: Varanasi
• Sqay: Kashmir
• Huyen Langlon: Manipur