India is a land of unity in diversity, and this can be clearly seen in its dance forms. Every state in India has its own folk dance that shows the culture, lifestyle, and happiness of its people. These dances are performed during festivals, weddings, harvest seasons, and community gatherings. They are not just a form of entertainment but a beautiful way to express emotions, tell stories, and celebrate togetherness.
Folk dances are simple and full of energy. People wear colorful costumes, sing traditional songs, and dance to the beats of drums and local instruments. Each dance has its own style and importance. For example, Bihu from Assam shows the joy of harvest, Garba from Gujarat represents devotion, and Bhangra from Punjab expresses celebration and hard work.
Learning about the folk dances of India helps us understand our traditions and cultural roots. It is also an important topic for students preparing for SSC, Railway, ADR 3.0, Assam TET, and other state competitive exams, as questions from this topic are often asked.
Region
State / UT
Folk Dances
East India
West Bengal
Gambhira, Kalikapatadi, Chhau, Baul
Odisha
Ghumura, Chhau, Dalkhai, Gotipua
Bihar
Jat-Jatin, Bidesia, Kajari
Jharkhand
Jhumar, Paika, Mundari, Chhau
West India
Rajasthan
Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Bhavai, Kachchhi Ghodi
Gujarat
Garba, Dandiya Raas, Tippani, Padhar
Maharashtra
Lavani, Dhangari Gaja, Tamasha
Goa
Dhalo, Fugdi, Dekhni
North India
Jammu & Kashmir
Rouf, Bhand Pather, Dumhal
Himachal Pradesh
Nati, Chham
Punjab
Bhangra, Giddha, Sammi
Haryana
Phag, Jhumar, Daph
Uttarakhand
Chholiya, Jhora, Barada Nati
South India
Karnataka
Yakshagana, Dollu Kunitha, Veeragase
Kerala
Theyyam, Oppana, Kummattikali, Thiruvathirakali
Tamil Nadu
Karakattam, Mayilattam, Oyilattam, Kummi
Andhra Pradesh
Kuchipudi, Veeranatyam, Burrakatha, Butta Bommalu
Telangana
Lambadi, Perini Shiva Tandavam, Bonalu
North-East India
Assam
Bihu, Bagurumba, Ali Ai Ligang
Arunachal Pradesh
Bardo Chham, Ponung, Popir
Meghalaya
Nongkrem, Laho, Shad Suk Mynsiem
Nagaland
Chang Lo, Zeliang, Modse
Manipur
Thang Ta, Dhol Cholam, Manipuri
Mizoram
Cheraw, Chheih Lam
Tripura
Garia, Hozagiri
Sikkim
Singhi Cham, Yak Cham, Maruni
Central India
Madhya Pradesh
Tertali, Jawara, Matki, Phulpati
Chhattisgarh
Pandwani, Gaur Maria, Panthi, Raut Nacha
Union Territories / Islands
Delhi
Dhamal, Natti
Ladakh
Jabro, Shondol
Puducherry
Garadi, Kummi
Lakshadweep
Lava, Parichakali
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Nicobarese Dance
Folk dance in India with MCQ
Multiple Choice Questions
Folk dance in India with MCQ Quiz
1. The folk dance Ghoomar belongs to which Indian state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Haryana
Correct Answer: B [Rajasthan]
2. Bihu is a famous folk dance of —
[A] Assam
[B] Tripura
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Manipur
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
3. Lavani dance is popular in —
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Odisha
[D] Kerala
Correct Answer: A [Maharashtra]
4. Yakshagana is a folk theatre form of —
[A] Karnataka
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Kerala
[D] Tamil Nadu
Correct Answer: A [Karnataka]
5. Garba and Dandiya Raas are folk dances of —
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Punjab
[D] Maharashtra
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
6. The dance Rouf is performed by women of —
[A] Punjab
[B] Jammu & Kashmir
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Haryana
Correct Answer: B [Jammu & Kashmir]
7. Bhangra and Giddha are traditional dances of —
[A] Punjab
[B] Haryana
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Correct Answer: A [Punjab]
8. The dance Thiruvathirakali is performed in —
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
Correct Answer: A [Kerala]
9. Gotipua is a traditional dance of —
[A] West Bengal
[B] Odisha
[C] Bihar
[D] Jharkhand
Correct Answer: B [Odisha]
10. Jat-Jatin is a folk dance of —
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Bihar
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Rajasthan
Correct Answer: B [Bihar]
11. Tamasha is a folk theatre form of —
[A] Goa
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Kerala
[D] Gujarat
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
12. Bardo Chham is associated with which state?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Nagaland
[D] Meghalaya
Correct Answer: B [Arunachal Pradesh]
13. Cheraw, the bamboo dance, belongs to —
[A] Manipur
[B] Mizoram
[C] Tripura
[D] Assam
Correct Answer: B [Mizoram]
14. The folk dance Dalkhai is performed in —
[A] Odisha
[B] West Bengal
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Assam
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
15. Pandwani is a narrative dance form of —
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Chhattisgarh
[C] Odisha
[D] Jharkhand
Correct Answer: B [Chhattisgarh]
16. Phag dance is famous in —
[A] Haryana
[B] Punjab
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Uttarakhand
Correct Answer: A [Haryana]
17. Karagattam is a folk dance from —
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
18. The Singhi Cham dance is performed in —
[A] Sikkim
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Nagaland
Correct Answer: A [Sikkim]
19. Chhau dance is famous in —
[A] Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand
[B] Assam and Manipur
[C] Gujarat and Rajasthan
[D] Tamil Nadu and Kerala
Correct Answer: A [Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand]
20. Perini Shiva Tandavam is the dance form of —
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Telangana
[C] Karnataka
[D] Tamil Nadu
Correct Answer: B [Telangana]
21. Garia dance is performed in —
[A] Tripura
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Mizoram
[D] Nagaland
Correct Answer: A [Tripura]
22. Kuchipudi is a classical-cum-folk dance of —
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Kerala
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Karnataka
Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
23. Chholiya is a sword dance from —
[A] Punjab
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Haryana
Correct Answer: B [Uttarakhand]
24. Bagurumba is a dance of which tribe in Assam?
[A] Bodo
[B] Mishing
[C] Karbi
[D] Deori
Correct Answer: A [Bodo]
25. Bhavai is a folk dance of —
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Goa
Correct Answer: A [Rajasthan]
26. Kalbelia is performed by —
[A] Snake charmers of Rajasthan
[B] Fishermen of Kerala
[C] Farmers of Bihar
[D] Shepherds of Gujarat
Correct Answer: A [Snake charmers of Rajasthan]
27. Veeragase is a heroic dance from —
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Karnataka
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Maharashtra
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka]
28. Bonalu festival dance is famous in —
[A] Telangana
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Odisha
[D] Karnataka
Correct Answer: A [Telangana]
29. Maruni is a traditional dance of —
[A] Sikkim
[B] Assam
[C] Tripura
[D] Manipur
Correct Answer: A [Sikkim]
30. Dhalo and Fugdi belong to —
[A] Goa
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Gujarat
[D] Kerala
Correct Answer: A [Goa]
31. Hozagiri dance belongs to —
[A] Tripura
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Nagaland
[D] Mizoram
Correct Answer: A [Tripura]
32. Ali Ai Ligang is performed by which community?
[A] Mishing Tribe of Assam
[B] Khasi Tribe of Meghalaya
[C] Naga Tribe of Nagaland
[D] Garo Tribe of Meghalaya
Correct Answer: A [Mishing Tribe of Assam]
33. Paika dance is a martial folk dance of —
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Odisha
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Correct Answer: A [Jharkhand]
34. Kummattikali is a mask dance from —
[A] Kerala
[B] Karnataka
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Correct Answer: A [Kerala]
35. Bhavai and Garba belong to which state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Maharashtra
Correct Answer: A [Gujarat]
36. Lambadi dance is related to which group?
[A] Banjaras
[B] Santhals
[C] Bhils
[D] Khasis
Correct Answer: A [Banjaras]
37. Ponung dance is performed by women of —
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Assam
[C] Nagaland
[D] Manipur
Correct Answer: A [Arunachal Pradesh]
38. Tamasha dance-drama is mainly performed in —
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Gujarat
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Correct Answer: A [Maharashtra]
39. Parichakali is a folk dance of —
[A] Lakshadweep
[B] Puducherry
[C] Goa
[D] Tamil Nadu
Correct Answer: A [Lakshadweep]
40. Nicobarese Dance is performed during festivals of —
