Folk dance notes for SSC CGL

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Folk dances of India

Each state is grouped into three or four meaningful chunks instead of a list of loose names, and most dances are unlocked by what the name literally means. Use Recall mode on any state to hide the answers and test yourself before reading them.

30 states and UTs
354 dances mapped
913 flashcards
268 past questions
Folk Dances of India — notes, flashcards and previous year questions.
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Andhra Pradesh

South

  • Dappu
  • Vilasini Natyam
  • Kuchipudi (classical)
  • Veeranatyam
  • Dance of the brave. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, performed by the Veerabhadra community inside Shiva temples. Linked to the Daksha Yagna myth - Veerabhadra destroyed the yagna and beheaded Daksha.
  • Bhamakalapam / Gollakalapam
  • Popular dance-drama created by Siddhendra Yogi, the saint who also systematised Kuchipudi.
  • Bonalu
  • Celebrated in honour of Goddess Mahakali. The word 'Bonalu' means Pot.
  • Dhimsa
  • Performed in Araku valley; 15-20 women form a chain. Tribe: Porja.
  • Lambadi
  • Performed by the Banjara tribe.
  • Butta Bommalu
  • Mask dance meaning 'basket toys' - made of wood, dry grass and cow dung. Performed in West Godavari.
  • Burrakatha
  • Oral storytelling ballad: one main narrator with a tambura plus two co-performers with small drums. Narrates mythological stories.
  • Vilasini Natyam
  • Telugu temple-dance tradition of the Kalavantulu (female temple dancers), revived and reconstructed by Swapnasundari.
  • Kolattam
  • Stick dance (also strongly associated with Tamil Nadu as Kolattam / Kerala as Kolkali).
  • Dhimsa, Lambadi and Bonalu are claimed by BOTH Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. If both appear as options, read the qualifier (Araku valley / Adilabad / Banjara) before choosing.
  • Veeranatyam (AP) vs Veergase (Karnataka): both are Veerabhadra dances. AP = Veeranatyam, Karnataka = Veergase.

Temple and myth

Each one is tied to a deity or a temple ritual, so store them with the god's name attached.

  • Veeranatyam - Shiva, danced by the Veerabhadra community
  • Bonalu - Goddess Mahakali
  • Bhamakalapam - dance-drama by Siddhendra Yogi
  • Vilasini Natyam - Kalavantulu temple dancers

Owned by a named tribe

If the question gives you a tribe, it is almost always one of these two.

  • Lambadi - Banjara tribe
  • Dhimsa - Porja tribe, Araku valley

Named after the object used

The prop is in the name. Recall the object, get the dance.

  • Kolattam - sticks
  • Butta Bommalu - basket masks
  • Dappu - the dappu drum
  • Burrakatha - the burra (tambura)
  • Veeranatyam
  • 'Veera' = brave. The dance of the brave, for Shiva's warrior Veerabhadra.
  • Bonalu
  • 'Bonam' = a meal offered in a pot. Women carry pots to Mahakali - the pot is the dance.
  • Butta Bommalu
  • 'Butta' = basket, 'bommalu' = dolls. Basket dolls, worn on the head as masks.
  • Burrakatha
  • 'Burra' = the skull-shaped tambura, 'katha' = story. A story told over a tambura.
  • Dhimsa
  • Fifteen to twenty women locking into a human chain down an Araku hillside.

Arunachal Pradesh

North-East

  • Popir
  • Yak Chham
  • Ponung
  • Tapu
  • Ozele
  • Wancho
  • Performed in March/April during the Oriah festival.
  • Buiya
  • Performed by the Digaru Mishmi tribe.
  • Pasi Kongki
  • Performed by the Adi tribe with songs called 'Abang'.
  • Chalo Loku
  • Performed by the Nocte tribe in Oct-Nov.
  • Bardo Chham
  • Dance of the 12 Zodiacs, performed by the Sherdukpen community. Tied to the Tibetan-Buddhist tradition.
  • Ponung
  • Performed by the Adi tribe during the harvesting season.
  • Popir
  • Performed by the Galo tribe in white attire as a tribute to 'Mopin Ape', goddess of prosperity and fertility, during the Mopin festival. Chanting called 'Bari'.
  • Lion and Peacock
  • Performed by the Monpa tribe (Tawang / West Kameng). Animal-mask theatrical dance.
  • Aji Lamu
  • Monpa tribe. Dance-drama on the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, part of the Losar festival.
  • Yak Chham
  • Performed by the Monpa tribe.
  • Rikhampada
  • Performed by the Nyishi tribe.
  • Tapu
  • War dance of the Adi tribe, performed during the Aran festival to ward off evil spirits.
  • Ozele
  • Performed by the Wancho tribe during the Oriah festival - agricultural harvest and community bonding.
  • Monpa tribe owns THREE dances: Lion & Peacock, Aji Lamu, Yak Chham. Remember 'Monpa = LAY'.
  • Ponung (Adi, harvest) vs Popir (Galo, Mopin festival) - both Arunachal, easily swapped.

The Monpa three

One tribe, three dances, all animal or theatre. Learn them as a set, never singly.

  • Lion and Peacock
  • Aji Lamu
  • Yak Chham

Named after the festival they belong to

The festival name is the retrieval cue.

  • Popir - Mopin festival, Galo tribe
  • Wancho and Ozele - Oriah festival
  • Chalo Loku - Nocte tribe, Oct-Nov
  • Tapu - Aran festival, Adi tribe

Adi tribe pair

Both Adi, both seasonal.

  • Ponung - harvest
  • Pasi Kongki - sung to 'Abang' songs

Masks and cosmology

Mask-based, Buddhist-influenced.

  • Bardo Chham - 12 zodiac signs, Sherdukpen
  • Mask dance

One tribe, one dance

Short tail. Just pair them.

  • Rikhampada - Nyishi
  • Buiya - Digaru Mishmi
  • Monpa dances
  • Monpa live in Tawang, on the Tibetan border - so their dances are Buddhist theatre with animal masks: lion, peacock, yak.
  • Popir
  • Popir and Mopin share the same P-M-P shape. Galo tribe, goddess Mopin Ape.
  • Bardo Chham
  • 'Bardo' is the Tibetan word for the state between lives - fitting for a dance of twelve zodiac spirits.

Assam

North-East

  • Bagurumba
  • Bihu
  • Baidima
  • Bawang
  • Sattriya (classical)
  • Bhortal
  • Developed by Narahari Burha Bhakat, celebrated at Barpeta.
  • Jhumur
  • Performed by the tea-garden community (Kulis).
  • Bagurumba
  • Bodo community, during the Bwisagu festival. Women wear dokhona / arunai. Called the 'butterfly dance'; instruments sifung (flute) and kham.
  • Bihu
  • Both a dance and a festival. Rongali (Bohag) Bihu = Assamese New Year, mid-April. Dancers in circles or rows with dhol and pepa (horn).
  • Ali Ai Ligang
  • Mishing tribe, agricultural sowing festival in Feb/March.
  • Deodhani
  • Bodo-Kachari tribe, tribute to the snake goddess Manasa, using drums and flutes.
  • Ojapali
  • Dance + drama combination.
  • Baidima
  • Harvest festival dance of the Dimasa tribe.
  • Bawang
  • Celebrated by the Karbi tribe.
  • Ankiya Naat / Bhaona
  • One-act plays written by Srimanta Sankardev, staged in Sattras - the root of Sattriya.
  • Bagurumba (Bodo, Assam) is the butterfly dance; Butterfly Dance of Nagaland is by the Zeliang tribe. Two different butterflies.

The Sattra line

Everything Sankardev built sits in one chain. Learn it as a lineage, not four facts.

  • Ankiya Naat / Bhaona - the plays
  • Ojapali - dance plus drama
  • Bhortal - Barpeta, by Narahari Burha Bhakat
  • Sattriya - the classical outcome

Farming calendar of the tribes

Each tribe has one dance, each tied to a point in the crop year.

  • Bihu - Rongali (Bohag) Bihu, Assamese New Year, April
  • Kongali (Kati) Bihu, October
  • Bhogali (Magh) Bihu, January
  • Ali Ai Ligang - Mishing, sowing, Feb-March
  • Baidima - Dimasa, harvest
  • Bawang - Karbi

Bodo and Bodo-Kachari

Two dances, one people, opposite moods: joy and possession.

  • Bagurumba - Bwisagu spring festival, butterfly hands
  • Deodhani - snake goddess Manasa

Brought in from outside

Not indigenous to the valley - carried in by plantation labour.

  • Jhumur - tea-garden community
  • Bagurumba
  • Bodo and butterfly both begin with B. Women's hands flutter like wings; instruments are the sifung flute and kham.
  • Deodhani
  • 'Deo' = deity. The dancer is possessed by the deity - Manasa, the snake goddess.
  • Ali Ai Ligang
  • 'Ali' = root or seed, 'Ligang' = to sow. The name is literally the sowing festival.

Bihar

East

  • Bidesia
  • Dhibia
  • Jhijhiya
  • Jharni
  • Paika
  • Kajari
  • Domkach
  • Launda Naach
  • Pari Khanda (martial)
  • Jat-Jatin
  • Based on the tragic love story of Jat and Jatin. Mithila region, monsoon moonlit nights.
  • Bidesia
  • Built on social issues - migration and separation. Associated with Bhikhari Thakur.
  • Jhijhiya
  • Women balance perforated lamp-lit pots/lanterns on their heads. Mithila, Bhojpuri and India-Nepal belt; performed at Durga Puja to ward off the evil eye.
  • Jharni
  • Performed by the Julaha community.
  • Kajari
  • Performed during the monsoon season.
  • Natwa
  • Performed by the Chamar community.
  • Sohar Khelwana
  • Mainly performed at childbirth.
  • Jhumeri
  • Performed in the Mithilanchal region during Karthik month (Oct-Nov).
  • Launda Naach
  • Male performers cross-dress as women; popularised by Bhikhari Thakur. Weddings and festivals.
  • Jhijhiya (Bihar, pots on head at Durga Puja) vs Charkula (UP Braj, 108 lamps on a wooden pyramid) vs Bhawai (Rajasthan, pots balanced). All 'pot on head' - the state is the differentiator.

Mithila belt

Three dances, one region, all seasonal. Fix the region first, then the season.

  • Jat-Jatin - monsoon moonlit nights
  • Jhijhiya - Durga Puja
  • Jhumeri - Karthik month, Oct-Nov

Danced at a life event

Sort by the event, not the name.

  • Sohar Khelwana - childbirth
  • Domkach - marriage

Named after the community that owns it

Community is the whole answer.

  • Natwa - Chamar community
  • Jharni - Julaha community

The Bhikhari Thakur stage

One playwright, two forms. Remember the man, get both.

  • Bidesia - migration and separation
  • Launda Naach - men in female roles
  • Jhijhiya
  • A perforated clay pot with a lamp inside, balanced on the head - the light leaks through the holes to drive off the evil eye.
  • Bidesia
  • 'Bidesi' = one who has gone abroad. The whole form is about the husband who left for work.
  • Sohar
  • A sohar is literally a birth song in Bhojpuri, so Sohar Khelwana can only be a childbirth dance.

Chhattisgarh

Central

  • Raut Nacha
  • Dandari
  • Kaksar
  • Performed by the Abujhmaria tribe of Bastar.
  • Suwa Nacha
  • The Parrot Dance, performed by the Kamar tribe. Women dance around a parrot placed in a bamboo basket during harvest season.
  • Karma Nacha
  • Dedicated to the karma (kadam) tree.
  • Gendi
  • Performed by the Baiga tribe on stilts.
  • Panthi Nacha
  • Performed by the Satnami Panth, devotional dance dedicated to Guru Ghasidas, founder of the Satnami sect. Dancers wear a simple dhoti and perform acrobatics and pyramids around a 'Jaitkham'.
  • Pandavani
  • Storytelling of the Mahabharata, Bhima as the hero. Two styles - Vedamati and Kapalik. Instrument: tambura. Teejan Bai received the Padma Vibhushan in 2019; Usha Barle the Padma Shri in 2023.
  • Saila
  • Performed by the Bhil tribe as a post-harvest stick dance; also seen at Dussehra.
  • Gaur Maria
  • Bison Horn Maria dance of the Dandami Maria tribe of Bastar. Male dancers wear headgear made of real bison horns; performed at births and marriages.
  • Raut Nacha
  • Performed by the Yadav (cowherd) community.
  • Panthi dancers wear a DHOTI, not masks. Masks belong to Chhau, not Panthi.
  • Kaksar is claimed by both Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh (Muria / Abujhmaria of the Bastar belt).

Bastar tribal block

All three are Bastar, all three are tribe-named. If the question says Bastar, look here.

  • Kaksar - Abujhmaria
  • Gaur Maria - Dandami Maria, bison-horn headgear
  • Gendi - Baiga, on stilts

Sect and epic

Devotional narrative forms, both with a named exponent.

  • Panthi - Satnami sect, Guru Ghasidas
  • Pandavani - Mahabharata, Teejan Bai

Nature worship

The dance is named after the living thing it honours.

  • Karma - the karma or kadam tree
  • Suwa - the parrot

Community harvest

Post-harvest, community-wide.

  • Saila - Bhil stick dance
  • Raut Nacha - Yadav cowherds
  • Suwa
  • 'Suwa' means parrot. Women circle a parrot placed in a bamboo basket, so the name and the prop match.
  • Panthi
  • 'Panth' = sect. A sect dance, therefore Satnami, therefore Guru Ghasidas.
  • Pandavani
  • 'Pandava' + 'vani' = the voice of the Pandavas. Mahabharata, never Ramayana.
  • Gendi
  • Gendi are the stilts themselves. Baiga tribe on stilts.

Gujarat

West

  • Garba
  • Bhavai
  • Tippani
  • Hudo
  • Lasya
  • Vinchhudo
  • Rathwa ni Gher
  • Shikaar Nritya
  • Titodo
  • Daang / Dangi Nritya
  • Kaakda Nritya
  • Manjira Nritya
  • Garba & Dandiya
  • Both performed during Navratri. Garba (graceful, circular, around the garbha deep lamp) comes BEFORE the aarti; Dandiya (sticks) comes AFTER. Dandiya depicts the mock fight between Durga Mata and Mahishasura. Garba was inscribed on the UNESCO ICH list in 2023.
  • Gop Raas
  • Performed by Gopiyan; linked to Krishna's raas.
  • Tippani
  • Exclusively performed by Koli and Kharva tribe women of the Chorwad-Veraval area of Saurashtra. Long wooden sticks (tippani) were used to beat and level lime floors; male drummers accompany.
  • Hudo
  • Performed by the Bharwad tribe (shepherd community).
  • Padhar
  • Performed by the fisherman community of the Bhal region; movements imitate the rowing of oars.
  • Siddi Dhamal
  • Performed by the Siddi community of African descent.
  • Matukadi
  • Performed by the Ravari and Bharwad communities.
  • Rathwa ni Gher
  • Rathwa tribe of Chhota Udepur; Holi; bodies painted with white clay, long sticks carried.
  • Shikaar Nritya
  • Hunt dance recreating a hunting scene, with bows and arrows as props.
  • Titodo
  • Performed by unmarried youth during Navratri and village weddings.
  • Daang / Dangi Nritya
  • Kokna, Warli and Bhil communities of the Dangs district; Holi; concentric circles and human pyramids.
  • Kaakda Nritya
  • Ritual dance to appease Shitala Mata for protection against pox and measles.
  • Manjira Nritya
  • Padhaar community; dancers strike manjiras (cymbals) while depicting the life of fishermen.
  • Giddha is NOT a Gujarati dance - it belongs to Punjab. A classic 'which is NOT from Gujarat' answer.
  • Shikaar Nritya exists in both Gujarat (hunt recreation) and Meghalaya (Khasi hunting dance).

Navratri set

Sequence matters: Garba comes before the aarti, Dandiya after.

  • Garba - circles round the garbha deep lamp, no sticks
  • Dandiya Raas - sticks, Durga versus Mahishasura
  • Titodo - unmarried youth

Born out of a day's work

Each one started as physical labour and became a dance. Strong, distinctive cluster.

  • Tippani - beating lime floors flat, Koli and Kharva women
  • Padhar and Manjira Nritya - rowing, Padhaar fisherfolk
  • Hudo and Matukadi - Bharwad shepherds

Tribal Holi

Body paint, sticks and pyramids, all around Holi.

  • Rathwa ni Gher - Rathwa, Chhota Udepur
  • Daang / Dangi - Kokna, Warli, Bhil of the Dangs
  • Shikaar Nritya - hunt recreation

One community, one dance

Identity-based.

  • Siddi Dhamal - Siddi community
  • Gop Raas - Gopis
  • Kaakda - to appease Shitala Mata against pox
  • Tippani
  • The tippani is the tool - a long stick with a block on the end. Named after the object, like a hammer dance.
  • Garba
  • From 'garbha' - the womb, and the garbha deep, the lamp inside the pot at the centre of the circle.
  • Hudo
  • Bharwad shepherds imitating rams butting heads. Shepherd equals Hudo.

Goa

West

  • Kunbi
  • Corridinho
  • Dhangar
  • Dashavatar
  • Mando
  • Depicts love and romance.
  • Ghode Modni
  • Depicts stories of bravery and victory, honouring Maratha warriors; dummy-horse dance.
  • Jagor
  • Starts at midnight and continues until morning.
  • Fugdi
  • Celebrated during Ganesh Chaturthi.
  • Dekhni
  • Performed by Christian girls to Indian music - a semi-classical blend of Indian and Portuguese influence. 'Dekhni' means beauty in Konkani; it tells of a girl who wants to cross a river to reach a wedding.
  • Tarangmel
  • Performed during Holi and Dussehra with flags and streamers.
  • Dhalo
  • Women stand in two parallel rows with interlocking arms.
  • Goff
  • Performed during festivals; braided-cord dance.
  • Romat
  • Associated with the Shigmo festival.
  • Sao Jao
  • Performed in the month of June.
  • Kunbi
  • Ancient tribal dance of the indigenous Kunbi community - a marker of Goa's pre-Portuguese culture. Women wear simple colourful sarees without heavy jewellery.
  • Dhangar
  • Performed by the Dhangar (shepherd) community during Navratri to worship their folk deity Bira Deva; white dress, turban, dhol.
  • Dhangar appears in Goa (Bira Deva, Navratri) and Dhangari Gaja in Maharashtra (Sholapur shepherds). Read the state cue.

The Portuguese-Christian layer

Goa's split heritage is the easiest way to halve this list.

  • Mando - love and romance
  • Dekhni - Christian girls, Indian music
  • Corridinho

Named after its festival

The occasion is the cue.

  • Fugdi - Ganesh Chaturthi
  • Romat - Shigmo
  • Tarangmel - Holi and Dussehra
  • Sao Jao - the month of June

Community-owned

Pre-Portuguese, indigenous.

  • Kunbi - Kunbi tribal community
  • Dhangar - shepherds, deity Bira Deva
  • Ghode Modni - Maratha warriors, dummy horse

Defined by the formation

Picture the shape, not the name.

  • Dhalo - two parallel rows, arms interlocked
  • Goff - braided cords
  • Talgadi
  • Dekhni
  • 'Dekhni' means beauty in Konkani. The song is about a girl crossing a river to reach a wedding.
  • Ghode Modni
  • 'Ghoda' = horse. Dancers wear a dummy horse and re-enact Maratha cavalry.
  • Sao Jao
  • Sao Jao is the feast of St John the Baptist, celebrated in June - the name dates the dance.

Himachal Pradesh

North

  • Rasa
  • Thoda (martial)
  • Chhatrari
  • Chohara
  • Jhanjhar
  • Losar Shona Chuksam
  • Nati
  • Holds the Guinness World Record for the largest number of dancers.
  • Dhaman
  • Performed during Dussehra in the Kullu region.
  • Rakshasa
  • Demon-mask dance performed to protect crops from evil spirits, in Kinnaur Ghati.
  • Cholamba
  • One of the oldest dances, performed after killing a tiger.
  • Kayang Mala
  • Boys and girls dance in a garland-shaped pattern after drinking a rice drink called chhang.
  • Shand / Shabu
  • Performed in Lahaul, mainly in Buddhist monasteries (gompas), to commemorate the Buddha.
  • Chapeli
  • Performed in Sirmaur and Chamba - also performed in Uttarakhand.
  • Chham
  • Performed by Buddhists to ward off evil spirits. 'Chham Chhanak' is danced by Lamas of Lahaul-Spiti as a tribute to Lord Buddha.
  • Rasa
  • Performed in the Sirmaur district.
  • Thoda
  • Martial sport-dance combining dance with ARCHERY, traditionally by the Rajput community - descendants of the Kauravas and Pandavas.
  • Chhatrari
  • Ritual dance of Chhatrari village, Chamba district, at the annual fair for Goddess Shakti; masks, dhol and narsingha.
  • Chohara
  • Energetic dance of the Mahasu region, performed at village festivals and agricultural celebrations.
  • Jhanjhar
  • Named after the jhanjhar (ankle bells) worn by the women who perform it.
  • Chapeli belongs to BOTH Himachal Pradesh (Sirmaur/Chamba) and Uttarakhand (Kumaon). Kumaon cue = Uttarakhand.
  • Jhora appears in HP (Jhora/Jhali) and Uttarakhand (Jhora/Jhoda, Kumaon, Hurka drum). Hurka + Kumaon = Uttarakhand.

Buddhist Lahaul and Spiti

Monastery dances, all masked, all for the Buddha.

  • Shand and Shabu - gompas of Lahaul
  • Chham and Chham Chhanak - Lamas, tribute to Lord Buddha

Masks that protect

Masked, but for crops and village deities rather than the monastery.

  • Rakshasa - Kinnaur, protects crops from evil spirits
  • Chhatrari - Chamba, Goddess Shakti

Kinnaur and the high tribes

Distinctive local detail attached to each.

  • Kayang Mala - garland formation, after drinking chhang
  • Cholamba - performed after killing a tiger

Sirmaur and Chamba

One district, three dances.

  • Chapeli
  • Rasa
  • Dangi

Mainstream and martial

The two most asked.

  • Nati - Guinness record for most dancers
  • Thoda - martial archery, Rajput community
  • Thoda
  • 'Thoda' is the round wooden knob fixed to the arrowhead so it cannot pierce. Blunt arrows, aimed below the knee - archery plus dance.
  • Cholamba
  • A tiger is killed, its hide stuffed and hung with ornaments, and the village dances round it. One image fixes the whole fact.
  • Kayang Mala
  • 'Mala' = garland. Boys and girls interlock into a human garland.

Haryana

North

  • Loor
  • Gugga
  • Saang / Swang
  • Ragini
  • Sammi
  • Saang / Swang
  • Open-air folk theatre-dance; men dress in female attire to play women's roles. A full performance can run up to five hours. Shared with UP and Rajasthan.
  • Dhamal
  • Performed only by men of the Ahir community. Origin traced back to the Mahabharata.
  • Jhumar
  • Performed by young married girls.
  • Manjira
  • Performed in the Mewat region.
  • Phag
  • Performed in Falgun month (Feb-March) just before Holi; also called Phagun/Phagua.
  • Loor
  • Originates in the Bangar region, celebrated in Falgun just before Holi, exclusively by women.
  • Daph
  • Performed in the spring season to celebrate a bountiful harvest.
  • Khoria
  • A variety of the Jhumar dance.
  • Gugga
  • Male devotional dance in memory of the folk saint Gugga Pir (Jahar Peer). Devotees carry long bamboo sticks decorated with fans and garlands, known as 'Chhari'.
  • Charkula is listed under Haryana in coaching mnemonics, but exam keys place Charkula in the BRAJ region of Uttar Pradesh (108 lamps). If the question says Braj or 108 lamps, answer Uttar Pradesh.
  • Jhumar is asked for Haryana (young married girls), Punjab and Jharkhand (Jhumair, harvest). Read the qualifier.

The Falgun block

Three dances, one month, all just before Holi. Learn the month, get three answers.

  • Phag - Falgun, Feb-March
  • Loor - Bangar region, women only
  • Daph - spring, bountiful harvest

Men only

Both are male-exclusive, both devotional or mythic.

  • Dhamal - Ahir community, traced to the Mahabharata
  • Gugga - in memory of the saint Gugga Pir, with Chhari sticks

Women's dances

Paired forms - one is a variety of the other.

  • Jhumar - young married girls
  • Khoria - a variety of Jhumar

Theatre, not dance

Long-form drama, outdoors, men in female roles.

  • Saang / Swang - up to five hours
  • Ragini
  • Loor
  • 'Loor' means girl in the local dialect - a women-only dance by definition.
  • Gugga
  • Gugga Pir, also called Jahar Peer, is the snake-saint. Devotees carry the 'chhari', a bamboo staff with fans and garlands.
  • Daph
  • The daph is the frame drum. Named after its instrument.

Jammu & Kashmir

North

  • Damali
  • Chakri
  • Bacha Nagma
  • Rouf
  • Performed by women standing in two facing rows during spring and at Eid/Ramzan. Its defining feature is the intricate FOOTWORK called 'Chakri'; sung to poetic verses called Rouf-Baith. Costume: an embroidered Pheran with silver jewellery and bangles.
  • Bhand Pather
  • Dance-drama / folk theatre.
  • Kud
  • Performed at night to honour the Lok Devta (local deity).
  • Hikat
  • Performed in the spring season by partners joining each other's hands and spinning.
  • Dhumal
  • Performed only by men of the Watal tribe. Dancers wear long colourful robes and tall conical caps and circle a ceremonial banner called 'Alam' planted in the ground.
  • Rouf = women; Dhumal = men only. Any statement that Dhumal is performed by women is false.
  • Dhumal is a devotional dance for divine blessings - NOT an apple-harvest festival dance.

Women, spring and Eid

Both are women's dances in formation, both in spring.

  • Rouf - two facing rows, Chakri footwork, Pheran costume
  • Hikat - partners hold hands and spin

Men only

Both male-exclusive. This is the single most tested contrast in the state.

  • Dhumal - Wattal tribe, round the Alam banner, conical caps
  • Kud - at night, for the Lok Devta

Theatre

Folk drama rather than pure dance.

  • Bhand Pather
  • Damali
  • Rouf versus Dhumal
  • Rouf has the softer sound and is the women's dance; Dhumal is heavier and is men only. If a statement says women perform Dhumal, it is false.
  • Dhumal
  • Wattal men plant an 'Alam' - a ceremonial banner - and circle it. Banner plus conical caps equals Dhumal.

Jharkhand

East

  • Adhratiya
  • Natua
  • Firkal
  • Jhumar
  • Karam / Karma
  • Agricultural festival dance. The Kadam tree is worshipped. Performed by the Oraon tribe.
  • Paika
  • Traditional martial dance of the Munda tribe (Sadar community); depicts bravery and battle formations.
  • Mundari
  • Harvest festival dance of the Munda tribe.
  • Santhali
  • Also known as Jhika Dassain. Performed in October at the Dasain festival by the Santhal tribe.
  • Domkach
  • Nagpuri folk dance performed by the bride's or groom's family during marriage ceremonies; lyrics carry social satire.
  • Jhumair
  • Nagpuri folk dance of the Sadan community, performed at harvest. Mardani Jhumar is performed by MEN; Janani Jhumar by women.
  • Chhau
  • Martial-art dance in three styles: Seraikella (Jharkhand), Purulia (West Bengal), Mayurbhanj (Odisha).
  • Hunta
  • Depicts preparation for hunting.
  • Adhratiya
  • Folk song of the tribal communities, sung around the middle of the night ('adh-raat').
  • Mardani Jhumar is performed by MEN, not women. This is a favourite statement-based trap.
  • Karma/Karam appears in Jharkhand (Oraon) and Chhattisgarh & Odisha too - all tied to the karam/kadam tree.

Harvest and the tree

All agricultural, all tribe-tagged.

  • Karam / Karma - kadam tree, Oraon tribe
  • Mundari - Munda harvest
  • Jhumair - Sadan community

Nagpuri pair

Both labelled Nagpuri folk dances in exam keys.

  • Domkach - marriage
  • Jhumair - harvest

Martial and hunting

Combat and the chase.

  • Paika - Munda martial, battle formations
  • Chhau Seraikella - masked
  • Hunta - preparing for a hunt

Tribal identity

Named for the tribe itself.

  • Santhali - Santhal tribe, Dasain in October
  • Karam
  • The kadam tree is worshipped, so Karam and kadam are the same word. Tree dance, Oraon tribe.
  • Mardani Jhumar
  • 'Mard' = man. Mardani Jhumar is therefore performed by men; the women's version is Janani Jhumar.

Karnataka

South

  • Karaga
  • Gaarudi Gombe
  • Joodu Halagi
  • Suggi Kunitha
  • Yakshagana
  • 'Song of the celestial beings' (Yaksha = celestial). Coastal and Malnad Karnataka. Combines dance, music, dialogue, costume and stage technique; vibrant costumes, towering headgear and elaborate makeup. Stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas; usually performed from dusk to dawn. Male performers play female roles ('Stree Vesha').
  • Veergase
  • Traditionally performed during Dussehra by the Virabhadra community; based on the Shiva-Veerabhadra myth. Swords are carried; accompanied by the Sambal.
  • Dollu Kunitha
  • 'Dollu' means drum in Kannada. Dynamic drum dance performed by the Kuruba (shepherd) community to worship the deity Beereshwara. Large hollow drums are slung around the neck.
  • Bhootha Aradhne
  • Devil/spirit worship in coastal Karnataka; celebrates the link between humans, nature and the divine spirit.
  • Kamsale
  • Named after a brass instrument; performed by devotees of God Mahadeshwara.
  • Nagamandala
  • Ritual dance by two priests - one enacts a male snake, the other a female snake.
  • Karaga
  • Major Bengaluru festival of the Thigala community dedicated to Goddess Draupadi. Note: Karaga is a Karnataka festival, NOT a Rajasthani one.
  • Bolak-aat
  • Martial dance of the Kodava community of Kodagu (Coorg); men in traditional Kodava attire dance with swords to mark battlefield victories.
  • Gaarudi Gombe
  • 'Magical dolls' - dancers wear giant doll costumes of bamboo and papier-mache during festive processions.
  • Joodu Halagi
  • Performers beat the round Halagi percussion instrument with sticks while executing acrobatic steps.
  • Karaga is the odd one out in 'which festival is NOT celebrated in Rajasthan' questions - it is from Karnataka.

Coastal ritual

All from the coastal strip, all involving spirits or the supernatural.

  • Yakshagana - all-night theatre
  • Bhootha Aradhne - spirit worship
  • Nagamandala - two priests as male and female snakes

Shiva devotion

Both honour a Shiva-linked deity.

  • Veergase - Virabhadra, at Dussehra
  • Kamsale - devotees of Mahadeshwara

Named after the instrument or prop

The object is the name.

  • Dollu Kunitha - dollu, the drum
  • Kamsale - the brass cymbal
  • Joodu Halagi - the halagi drum
  • Gaarudi Gombe - giant dolls

Martial

Sword dance of the Kodava.

  • Bolak-aat - Kodagu (Coorg)
  • Dollu Kunitha
  • 'Dollu' = drum, 'kunitha' = dance in Kannada. Drum dance. Kuruba shepherds, deity Beereshwara.
  • Yakshagana
  • 'Yaksha' = celestial being, 'gana' = song. Song of the celestial beings.
  • Gaarudi Gombe
  • 'Gombe' = doll. Giant walking dolls of bamboo and papier-mache.
  • Veergase versus Veeranatyam
  • Both are Veerabhadra dances. Karnataka takes Veergase, Andhra takes Veeranatyam.

Kerala

South

  • Kaniyattam
  • Duffmuttu
  • Kakkarissi Natakam
  • Parichamuttukali
  • Kathakali (classical)
  • Mohiniyattam (classical)
  • Ottamthullal
  • Introduced by Kunchan Nambiar; solo satirical dance-narrative.
  • Kaliyattam / Theyyam
  • Ritual dance of the sacred groves of the North Malabar coast; the dancer is believed to transform into a deity.
  • Koodiyattam
  • Sanskrit theatre art; on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
  • Kolkali
  • Performers move in a circle striking sticks.
  • Chakyar Koothu
  • Monologue dance-drama performed in temples, narrating the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
  • Thiruvathirakali
  • Also called Kaikottikali. Graceful circular group dance performed by women at Onam and on Thiruvathira (Shivratri) day, for the long life of their husbands. Costume: Mundu and Vesthi with Kerala ornaments. Rhythm comes from claps and the Ilathalam (cymbals).
  • Oppana
  • Social entertainment of the Mappila (Muslim) community, performed by women at weddings to entertain the bride.
  • Pulikali
  • 'Play of the tigers'. Performers paint their bodies in yellow, red and black stripes and dance to heavy drum beats during Onam.
  • Velakali
  • Martial dance of the Nair warrior community using wooden swords and shields, showcased at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram.
  • Kakkarissi Natakam
  • Satirical dance-drama of the Kakkala community, using humour to comment on social issues.
  • Margam Kali
  • Round dance of the Syrian Christian community of Kerala.
  • Theeyattu
  • Ritual solo dance-drama of the Bhadrakali-Darika myth, performed in village temples (Kavus).
  • Kolkali (Kerala) vs Kolattam (Tamil Nadu/AP) vs Kolkali of Lakshadweep - all stick dances.
  • Parichakali/Parichamuttukali - the 'Shield Dance' name is asked for LAKSHADWEEP in recent papers, though the form also exists in Kerala.

The 'kali' family

'Kali' means play or dance in Malayalam. Learn the prefix and six names unlock at once.

  • Kolkali - 'kol' = stick
  • Pulikali - 'puli' = tiger
  • Velakali - 'vela' = temple festival, Nair warriors
  • Thiruvathirakali - Thiruvathira day
  • Thappukali - the thappu drum
  • Margam Kali - Syrian Christian

Ritual possession

The dancer becomes the deity.

  • Theyyam / Kaliyattam - North Malabar sacred groves
  • Theeyattu - Bhadrakali and Darika

Temple theatre

Sanskrit-derived, temple-bound, one named founder each.

  • Koodiyattam - Sanskrit theatre, UNESCO
  • Chakyar Koothu - monologue
  • Ottamthullal - by Kunchan Nambiar

Community-specific

Each belongs to one named community.

  • Oppana - Mappila Muslim weddings
  • Kakkarissi Natakam - Kakkala community, satire
  • The -kali suffix
  • One suffix, six answers. Whenever a Kerala dance ends in 'kali', ask what the first half means: stick, tiger, festival, drum.
  • Mohiniyattam
  • 'Mohini' is Vishnu's enchantress avatar, 'attam' is dance. Dance of the enchantress - so it is female, solo and Lasya.
  • Kathakali
  • 'Katha' = story, 'kali' = play. Story play. Male actors, painted faces, epics only.

Madhya Pradesh

Central

  • Saila
  • Badhai
  • Rai
  • Naurata
  • Ahirai
  • Grida
  • Lehangi
  • Mallakhamba (martial)
  • Jawara
  • Performed to celebrate a successful harvest, in Bundelkhand.
  • Matki
  • Performed in the Malwa region with a pot balanced on the head.
  • Phulpati
  • Performed in the Malwa region by unmarried girls.
  • Tertali
  • Performed by the Kamar tribe; thirteen manjeeras tied to the body.
  • Saila
  • Performed at Dussehra.
  • Ada
  • A variation of the Matki dance in the Malwa region.
  • Bhagoria
  • Performed in Jhabua district by the Bhil tribe before Holi.
  • Kaksar
  • Performed by the Muria / Abujhmaria tribe across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh (Bastar).
  • Maach
  • Folk theatre form of the Malwa region.
  • Badhai
  • Bundelkhand region; performed on joyful occasions - births, weddings, festivals - to the Dholak and Nagada.
  • Rai
  • Bundelkhand; performed by the Bedni community at weddings and festivals, known for fast tempo, with Dholak and Nagada.
  • Naurata
  • Performed by unmarried girls of Bundelkhand during the nine-day Navratri festival, seeking a good match.
  • Ahirai
  • Tribal dance of the Bharia tribe, popular around Gwalior and Patalkot.
  • Tertali of MP is by the KAMAR tribe; Terah Taali of Rajasthan is by the KAMAD tribe (Baba Ramdev). One letter apart.
  • Saila appears in both MP (Dussehra) and Chhattisgarh (Bhil, post-harvest).

Malwa region

Four dances, one region. Fix the region and they come as a block.

  • Matki - pot on the head
  • Ada - a variation of Matki
  • Phulpati - unmarried girls
  • Maach - folk theatre

Bundelkhand region

The second regional block. Two are for celebration, two are seasonal.

  • Badhai - births and weddings
  • Rai - Bedni community
  • Naurata - unmarried girls at Navratri
  • Jawara - successful harvest

Tribal

Each carries a tribe name in the key.

  • Bhagoria - Bhil, Jhabua, before Holi
  • Kaksar - Muria and Abujhmaria
  • Ahirai - Bharia tribe
  • Tertali - Kamar tribe
  • Matki
  • 'Matki' is the pot itself. Malwa women, pot on the head.
  • Jawara
  • Jawara is the basket of germinated jowar seedlings carried on the head - a harvest offering, so a harvest dance.
  • Bhagoria
  • Named after the Bhagoria haat, the pre-Holi market fair in Jhabua where couples elope. Bhil tribe.
  • Tertali versus Terah Taali
  • Madhya Pradesh has Tertali by the Kamar tribe. Rajasthan has Terah Taali by the Kamad tribe. One letter apart - store them side by side, never separately.

Manipur

North-East

  • Maibi
  • Sankirtana
  • Khongjom Parva
  • Manipuri (classical)
  • Thang-Ta
  • Literally 'sword and spear'. Ancient martial art and dance form of the Meitei people, using real weaponry to depict combat and valour. Also called Sarit Sarak.
  • Lai Haraoba
  • Performed by the Meitei tribe; pre-Vaishnavite ritual festival 'pleasing of the gods'.
  • Dhol Cholom
  • Drum dance performed during Holi (Yaoshang).
  • Pung Cholom
  • Also known as Mridanga kirtan or Dhumal; dancers play the pung while executing acrobatic movements.
  • Jagoi
  • Also known as Manipuri Raasleela.
  • Khamba Thoibi
  • Performed by the Meitei tribe; based on the legend of Khamba and Thoibi.
  • Nupa Pala
  • Male cymbal-and-drum ensemble that precedes the Raas Leela.
  • Sankirtana
  • Ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur - inscribed on the UNESCO ICH list.
  • Manipuri classical dance is Vaishnavite and centres on KRISHNA (Ras Leela), not Shiva - even though Lai Haraoba has Shaivite elements.

The 'cholom' family

'Cholom' means dance in Manipuri. Any -cholom is a Manipuri drum dance.

  • Pung Cholom - the pung drum, also called Mridanga kirtan
  • Dhol Cholom - at Holi

Meitei ritual

Pre-Vaishnavite, indigenous.

  • Lai Haraoba - pleasing the gods
  • Khamba Thoibi - the Khamba and Thoibi legend

Vaishnavite

Post-Bhakti, Krishna-centred.

  • Jagoi / Ras Leela
  • Nupa Pala
  • Sankirtana - UNESCO listed

Martial

Weapon-based.

  • Thang-Ta, also called Sarit Sarak
  • Thang-Ta
  • 'Thang' = sword, 'Ta' = spear. The name is the weapon list.
  • Pung Cholom
  • 'Pung' is the barrel drum. Pung plus cholom equals drum dance.

Meghalaya

North-East

  • Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem
  • Chad Laho
  • Shad Pliang
  • Shikaar Nritya
  • Doregata
  • Nongkrem
  • Performed by the Khasi tribe; thanksgiving harvest festival.
  • Wangala
  • Performed by the Garo tribe. Known as the 'Festival of Hundred Drums'.
  • Behdeinkhalam
  • Performed by the Jaintia tribe to drive away plague and evil spirits.
  • Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem
  • 'Dance of the Joyful Heart'. Annual thanksgiving harvest festival of the Khasi community, held in April. Unmarried men and women dance to drums and pipes.
  • Chad Laho
  • Thanksgiving festival dance of the Pnar (Jaintia) people after harvest; a woman is flanked by two men with arms linked.
  • Shad Pliang
  • The 'plate dance' of the Khasi community - dancers balance earthen plates or brass vessels while moving.
  • Shikaar Nritya
  • Hunting dance of the Khasi community, depicting tracking and the hunt with bows, arrows and spears.
  • Meghalaya's three tribes map cleanly: Khasi = Nongkrem & Shad Suk Mynsiem, Garo = Wangala, Jaintia = Behdeinkhalam. Never swap these.

Khasi

Meghalaya splits perfectly into three tribes. Get the tribe, get the dance.

  • Nongkrem
  • Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem - Dance of the Joyful Heart, April
  • Shad Pliang - the plate dance
  • Shikaar Nritya - the hunting dance

Garo

One tribe, one famous dance.

  • Wangala - Festival of Hundred Drums

Jaintia / Pnar

The third tribe.

  • Behdeinkhalam - driving out plague
  • Chad Laho - thanksgiving after harvest
  • The 'shad' prefix
  • 'Shad' means dance in Khasi. Shad Suk Mynsiem, Shad Pliang, Shad Sukra - if it starts with Shad, it is Khasi.
  • Wangala
  • Garo and Wangala both carry a hard G-sound; one hundred drums, one tribe.

Mizoram

North-East

  • Cheraw
  • Chheihlam
  • Tlanglam
  • So Lakia
  • Chawng Laizawn
  • Sarlamkai
  • Inbuan (martial)
  • Cheraw
  • The Bamboo Dance. Men hold long bamboo staves horizontally and vertically, clapping them in rhythm while women step in and out of the shifting grids. Performed during Chapchar Kut. Mizoram's signature dance.
  • Khuallam
  • The 'dance of guests', performed to welcome visitors.
  • Chailam
  • Performed during Chapchar Kut.
  • Zangtalam
  • Performed by the Paite tribe.
  • Tlanglam
  • Widely performed at community gatherings and festivals; graceful hand and foot movements.
  • So Lakia
  • Dance of the Mara people, originally performed to celebrate victory in war or a successful hunt.
  • Chawng Laizawn
  • Performed by the Pawi community on two contrasting occasions - to mourn the death of a husband, and to celebrate a bountiful harvest.
  • Chheih Lam
  • Joyful dance performed sitting in a circle to the rhythm of a bamboo drum and horn, after a hard day's work.
  • Inbuan
  • Traditional wrestling / martial form of Mizoram.
  • Cheraw is asked as 'bamboo dance performed exclusively in Mizoram' - but Tripura's Lusai community also performs Cheraw. If the option set has both, Mizoram is the intended answer.

The '-lam' family

'Lam' means dance in Mizo. Six names, one suffix. This is the single highest-yield chunk in the North East.

  • Khuallam - 'khual' = guest, so the dance of guests
  • Chailam - at Chapchar Kut
  • Chheihlam - sitting in a circle after work
  • Tlanglam - general community dance
  • Zangtalam - Paite tribe
  • Sarlamkai

Named for the occasion

The occasion is the answer.

  • So Lakia - victory in war, Mara people
  • Chawng Laizawn - mourning a husband, or harvest, Pawi

The signature dance

Not a -lam name, and the one always asked.

  • Cheraw - the bamboo dance, at Chapchar Kut
  • Khuallam
  • 'Khual' = guest. Guest dance. The suffix does the rest.
  • Cheraw
  • Men clap the bamboos, women step between them. If the question says crossed bamboo staves and 'exclusively', it is Mizoram, not Nagaland's Kuki bamboo dance.

Maharashtra

West

  • Dindi
  • Mardani Khel (martial)
  • Bohada
  • Koli
  • Performed by the fisherman community; movements depict the rowing of boats and the catching of fish.
  • Povadas
  • Ballad describing the historical events in the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
  • Lavani
  • Combination of dance and song performed to the Dholki. Fast tempo, powerful rhythm, nine-yard Nauvari sari, expressive lyrics. Performed by women.
  • Lezim
  • Acrobatic dance with calisthenic moves, performed during Ganeshotsav using the lezim - a wooden stick fitted with jingling metal cymbals.
  • Tamasha
  • Believed to derive from the Sanskrit dramas Prahasana and Bhana. Marathi folk theatre staged during the Shimga (Holi) festival; the Kolhati and Mahar communities are historically linked to Tamasha troupes.
  • Gafa
  • Performed in the Vidarbha region by the Gond tribe.
  • Dhangari Gaja
  • Performed by the shepherds of Sholapur district.
  • Mardani Khel
  • Armed martial art of Maharashtra.
  • Lavani is performed to the DHOLKI - not the Mridangam, Tabla or Nagada.

Occupation dances

The job is the dance.

  • Koli - fisherfolk, rowing and netting
  • Dhangari Gaja - Sholapur shepherds

Stage and ballad

Maharashtra's theatre tradition, all three linked.

  • Tamasha - at Shimga, Kolhati troupes
  • Lavani - to the Dholki, Nauvari sari
  • Povada - the ballad of Shivaji

Athletic and martial

Physical rather than narrative.

  • Lezim - at Ganeshotsav
  • Mardani Khel - armed martial art

Tribal and regional

Region-tagged.

  • Gafa - Vidarbha, Gond tribe
  • Mouni
  • Dindi
  • Lavani
  • From 'lavanya' = beauty. Beauty, the nine-yard Nauvari sari, and the Dholki - never the Mridangam.
  • Lezim
  • The lezim is the instrument itself: a wooden stick strung with jingling cymbals.
  • Povada
  • A povada is a ballad of valour, so it can only be about Shivaji.

Nagaland

North-East

  • Monyoasho
  • Khupielilie
  • Leshalaptu
  • Kuki dance
  • Shon
  • Rengma
  • Warrior dance performed during the Hornbill festival (1-10 December).
  • Aaluyattu
  • Performed by the Konyak tribe.
  • Bamboo dance
  • Performed by the Kuki tribe.
  • Changai
  • Performed by the Changai tribe.
  • Butterfly dance
  • Performed by the Zeliang (Zeliangrong) tribe.
  • Modse
  • Performed by the Ao tribe.
  • Monyoasho
  • Performed by the Phom Naga tribe during the Monyu festival, marking the end of winter and arrival of summer.
  • Khupielilie
  • Performed by women of the Sema (Sumi) Naga tribe at agricultural and community festivals.
  • Leshalaptu
  • Traditional dance of the Ao Naga tribe, performed at harvest festivals.
  • Bamboo dance exists in Nagaland (Kuki) AND Mizoram (Cheraw). If the question says 'crossed bamboo sticks / exclusively', the answer is Mizoram.

Warrior, at Hornbill

Nagaland is tribe-tagged throughout. The Hornbill festival, 1-10 December, is the umbrella occasion.

  • Rengma - warrior dance
  • Aaluyattu - Konyak tribe

Named after a creature

Animal-named, tribe-owned.

  • Butterfly dance - Zeliang / Zeliangrong
  • Bamboo dance - Kuki tribe

Harvest and season

Sorted by tribe.

  • Leshalaptu - Ao tribe
  • Khupielilie - Sema (Sumi) women
  • Monyoasho - Phom tribe, Monyu festival
  • Modse - Ao tribe
  • Changai - Changai tribe
  • Nagaland method
  • Do not learn the dance names. Learn the tribe list - Konyak, Ao, Sema, Phom, Zeliang, Kuki, Changai - and hang one dance on each. The question almost always gives you the tribe.
  • Monyoasho
  • Monyu is the festival, Monyoasho is the dance. Same first syllable, Phom tribe.

Odisha

East

  • Chhau (Mayurbhanj)
  • Karma
  • Ranapa
  • Paika Nritya
  • Sambalpuri
  • Odissi (classical)
  • Gotipua
  • Performed by young boys who dress as women to praise Jagannath and Krishna. Acrobatic postures; the direct precursor of classical Odissi. 'Gotipua' means 'single boy'.
  • Dalkhai
  • Performed during major festivals in the Sambalpur region by young women - at Dussehra, Bhaijiuntia and Phagun Puni, accompanied by male drummers.
  • Danda Nata
  • Performed in the Ganjam district.
  • Ghumura
  • Performed in Kalahandi district.
  • Bhaga Nacha
  • Also known as the Tiger dance, performed in the Ganjam district.
  • Ranapa
  • Martial stilt dance of Ganjam district, dedicated to Lord Krishna. Dancers perform on bamboo stilts to drums and pipes.
  • Chhau
  • Mayurbhanj Chhau uses NO masks - unlike Seraikella (Jharkhand) and Purulia (West Bengal).
  • Paika Nritya
  • Martial sequence mirroring a battle in order: 1) blowing the war conch, 2) shield-sword sparring, 3) acrobatics, 4) victory shout.
  • Sambalpuri
  • Rhythmic dance of western Odisha; performed in Sambalpuri handloom sarees (Bandhakala).
  • Chhau's three styles: Seraikella = Jharkhand, Purulia = West Bengal, Mayurbhanj = Odisha. Mayurbhanj is the maskless one.
  • Ranapa (Odisha, stilts) vs Ranpa (West Bengal list) - the Ganjam/stilts cue points to Odisha.

Ganjam district

Three dances, one district. District is a strong retrieval cue in Odisha questions.

  • Danda Nata
  • Bhaga Nacha - the tiger dance
  • Ranapa - on stilts

Krishna and Jagannath

Temple-facing.

  • Gotipua - boys dressed as women, precursor to Odissi
  • Ranapa - dedicated to Krishna

District-tagged elsewhere

Same trick, different districts.

  • Ghumura - Kalahandi
  • Dalkhai - Sambalpur
  • Chhau - Mayurbhanj, the maskless style

Martial

Battle sequences.

  • Paika Nritya - conch, sparring, acrobatics, victory shout
  • Gotipua
  • 'Goti pua' = single boy. The name tells you the performer, and therefore that it precedes Odissi.
  • Ranapa
  • 'Rana' = war. A war dance on stilts, from Ganjam.
  • Ghumura
  • Named after the ghumura, the earthen pot drum tied to the chest. Kalahandi.

Rajasthan

North-West

  • Chakri
  • Bhavai
  • Kachhi Ghodi
  • Walar
  • Drum dance
  • Gair
  • Gangaur
  • Performed to honour Goddess Parvati (Mata Gauri, Lord Shiva's wife).
  • Kalbelia
  • UNESCO-recognised dance of the Kalbelia (snake charmer) tribe. Inscribed on the UNESCO ICH list in 2010. Famous exponent: Gulabo Sapera. Women wear flowing black skirts with silver ribbons and embroidery, mimicking a serpent; the Pungi accompanies. Songs and dances are an ORAL tradition, not documented.
  • Ghoomar
  • Performed by the Bhil tribe for the worship of Goddess Saraswati, later adopted by the Rajputs. Named after 'ghoom', the swirling movement of the layered ghagra. Ranked 4th in a global 'Top 10 Most Amazing Local Dances' list in 2013. NOT on the UNESCO list.
  • Terah Taali
  • Performed by the Kamad tribe in honour of Baba Ramdev. Women sit on the ground and strike THIRTEEN manjeeras (cymbals) tied to different parts of the body.
  • Chari
  • Female group dance performed by Gurjars, with a lit pot balanced on the head.
  • Khayal
  • Performed by the Bhawai tribe; folk drama form.
  • Chakri
  • Performed by the women of the Kanjar tribe in the Hadoti region (Kota, Bundi); brightly coloured circular skirts spin like a wheel (chakra).
  • UNESCO: Kalbelia YES (2010), Ghoomar NO. This exact pair is asked repeatedly.
  • Terah Taali is performed by WOMEN of the Kamad tribe, sitting, with manjeeras - not by men of the Kalbelia tribe, and it involves no swords or fire.

Goddess worship by women

All three are women in a circle honouring a goddess.

  • Ghoomar - Goddess Saraswati, Bhil origin
  • Gangaur - Goddess Parvati (Gauri)
  • Chari - Gurjar women, lit pot on the head

Nomadic tribes

Both tribe-named, both spinning skirt dances - and the pair most confused.

  • Kalbelia - Kalbelia snake-charmers, UNESCO 2010
  • Chakri - Kanjar tribe, Hadoti region

Seated and percussive

Unusual: performed sitting down.

  • Terah Taali - Kamad tribe, 13 manjeeras, for Baba Ramdev

Folk drama

Theatre rather than pure dance.

  • Khayal - Bhawai tribe
  • Bhavai
  • Kachhi Ghodi - dummy horse
  • Ghoomar
  • 'Ghoom' = to twirl. The name is the step. Ranked 4th in a global list in 2013, and NOT on the UNESCO list.
  • Kalbelia
  • 'Kal' carries the sense of black - black swirling skirts, cobra movements, Pungi accompaniment. UNESCO 2010.
  • Terah Taali
  • 'Terah' = thirteen. Thirteen cymbals tied to the body, struck while seated. Women of the Kamad tribe.
  • Chari
  • 'Chari' = pot. Gurjar women with a lit pot on the head.

Sikkim

North-East

  • Maruni
  • Tashi Yangku
  • Denzong Gnenha
  • Chu-Faat
  • Ritual dance of the Lepcha tribe dedicated to Mount Kanchenjunga, performed during the Pang Lhabsol festival.
  • Zo Mal Lok
  • Performed by the Lepcha tribe to celebrate the beauty of nature; also known as the Yak dance.
  • Sikmari
  • Performed by the Lepcha tribe to celebrate the beauty of nature.
  • Yakchham
  • Performed during festivals to honour the Yak, especially during the Losar festival.
  • Maruni
  • Nepalese folk dance performed by the Magar tribe.
  • Singhi Chham
  • The Snow Lion dance, also called the Kanchenjunga dance, performed by the Bhutia tribe during the Pang Lhabsol festival. Dancers wear elaborate lion costumes.
  • Kagyed
  • Monastic mask dance performed before the Tibetan New Year to burn away evil forces.
  • Snow Lion / Singhi Chham = Sikkim (Bhutia). Lion & Peacock = Arunachal Pradesh (Monpa). Do not merge them.

Lepcha, celebrating nature

The Lepcha are Sikkim's indigenous people, so their dances face the mountain and the land.

  • Chu-Faat - dedicated to Kanchenjunga, at Pang Lhabsol
  • Zo Mal Lok - also called the Yak dance
  • Sikmari - beauty of nature

Bhutia, Buddhist

Monastery and mask dances.

  • Singhi Chham - the snow lion, Pang Lhabsol
  • Kagyed - before the Tibetan New Year
  • Yakchham - at Losar

Nepali-origin

The third community of Sikkim.

  • Maruni - Magar tribe
  • Ghantu
  • Singhi Chham
  • 'Singhi' = lion. The snow lion is the emblem of Kanchenjunga, so Singhi Chham is also called the Kanchenjunga dance. Bhutia tribe.
  • Sikkim's three communities
  • Lepcha, Bhutia, Nepali. Sort every Sikkim dance into one of the three before you try to recall its name.

Tamil Nadu

South

  • Mayilattam
  • Parai Attam
  • Bhagavata Mela
  • Bharatanatyam (classical)
  • Kolattam
  • Stick dance performed by women.
  • Silambattam
  • Martial dance with the silambam staff.
  • Oyilattam
  • Performed in the Madurai region.
  • Devarattam
  • Known as the Dance of the Gods.
  • Kudirai Attam
  • Also known as Poikkal Kuthirai Attam - the 'false horse dance'. Dancers wear a dummy horse figure around the waist and dance on wooden legs. Also called Puravi Aattam.
  • Kummi
  • Ancient dance performed by women during the Pongal festival. Dancers stand in a circle and clap rhythmically while singing - the clapping itself provides the rhythm, with no instruments.
  • Kavadi Attam
  • Burden dance in which devotees carry Kavadis for Lord Murugan (God of War), especially at Thaipusam.
  • Karakattam
  • Ancient folk dance in praise of the rain goddess Mariamman; a decorated pot (Karakam) is balanced on the head.
  • Bommalattam
  • Traditional string-and-rod puppet show; one of India's oldest puppetry forms, depicting the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
  • Theru Koothu
  • Literally 'Street Theatre'. Night-time open-air folk theatre performed in Panguni and Aadi, bringing epic stories to life.
  • Bhagavata Mela
  • Classical dance-drama tradition of Melattur village, sharing the grammar of Bharatanatyam.
  • Kummi (Tamil Nadu, Pongal, clapping) vs Kolattam (sticks) vs Kolkali (Kerala). Clapping-only = Kummi.

The '-attam' family

'Attam' means dance in Tamil. Nine names collapse into one rule, and the first half always names the prop.

  • Kolattam - 'kol' = stick
  • Karakattam - 'karakam' = pot
  • Kudirai Attam - 'kudirai' = horse
  • Bommalattam - 'bommai' = doll, puppets
  • Mayilattam - 'mayil' = peacock
  • Kavadi Attam - 'kavadi' = burden
  • Silambattam - the silambam staff
  • Oyilattam - Madurai region
  • Devarattam - dance of the gods

Women's dances

Both circular, both without heavy instruments.

  • Kummi - Pongal, rhythm from clapping alone

Theatre

Narrative forms.

  • Theru Koothu - street theatre, at night
  • Bhagavata Mela - Melattur village
  • The -attam rule
  • Translate the first half and you have described the dance. This one rule answers most Tamil Nadu questions without memorising anything else.
  • Karakattam
  • 'Karakam' = decorated pot, danced for the rain goddess Mariamman.
  • Kavadi Attam
  • 'Kavadi' = burden. Devotees carry the burden for Murugan at Thaipusam.

Telangana

South

  • Perini Shivatandavam
  • Dandari
  • Oggu Katha
  • Lambadi
  • Performed by the Banjara tribe.
  • Dhimsa
  • Performed by the Porja tribe of Andhra and Telangana.
  • Gusadi
  • Performed by the Gond tribe as part of the Dandari dance during Dussehra.
  • Mathuri
  • Performed in Adilabad district.
  • Bonalu
  • Colourful celebration dedicated to Goddess Mahakali.
  • Perini Shivatandavam
  • Warrior dance (Dance of Warriors) that flourished under the KAKATIYA dynasty of Warangal - not the Cholas. Revived in modern times by Nataraja Ramakrishna.
  • Perini Shivatandavam originated under the Kakatiyas of Warangal. Any statement crediting the Cholas is FALSE.

Gond and the Dandari cycle

Gusadi sits inside a larger Gond festival, so store it with Dandari and Dussehra.

  • Gusadi - Gond tribe, part of Dandari, at Dussehra

Shared with Andhra

These three appear under both states. Read the qualifier before answering.

  • Lambadi - Banjara tribe
  • Dhimsa - Porja tribe
  • Bonalu - Goddess Mahakali

Court revival

Classical-adjacent, with a dynasty and a reviver attached.

  • Perini Shivatandavam - Kakatiyas of Warangal, revived by Nataraja Ramakrishna

District-tagged

One district, one dance.

  • Mathuri - Adilabad
  • Perini
  • A warrior dance of the Kakatiya court at Warangal. If an option credits the Cholas, it is wrong - the Cholas are Tamil Nadu.
  • Telangana versus Andhra
  • When both appear, look for the geography: Araku valley and West Godavari mean Andhra; Adilabad and Warangal mean Telangana.

Tripura

North-East

  • Cheraw (Lusai)
  • Wangala (Garo of Tripura)
  • Mosak Sulmani
  • Hojagiri
  • Performed by the Reang tribe (also known as Bru). Young girls balance varying numbers of earthen pitchers and props on their heads while moving only the lower body - the upper body stays still.
  • Bijhu
  • Performed by the Chakma tribe.
  • Hai Hak
  • Performed by the Halam tribe after the harvest to honour Goddess Lakshmi.
  • Maimata
  • Performed by the Kaloi community.
  • Garia
  • Harvest festival dance of the spring season.
  • Lebang
  • Harvest dance depicting how bamboo clappers are used to catch insects (the Lebang bootiya).
  • Cheraw
  • Also performed in Tripura by the Lusai community.
  • Hojagiri = Reang/Bru tribe of TRIPURA. Frequently mis-matched with Assam or Nagaland in matching questions.

Tribe-named

Tripura is almost entirely tribe-tagged. Learn the tribe column.

  • Hojagiri - Reang (Bru)
  • Bijhu - Chakma
  • Hai Hak - Halam
  • Maimata - Kaloi

Harvest and season

Sorted by what they celebrate.

  • Garia - spring harvest festival
  • Lebang - catching insects with bamboo clappers
  • Sangrai
  • Hai Hak - after harvest, for Goddess Lakshmi

Borrowed from Mizoram

Also performed here, which is why it gets asked.

  • Cheraw - Lusai community
  • Hojagiri
  • The image does the work: a girl balancing a stack of earthen pitchers and a bottle with a lamp on her head, moving only from the waist down. Reang tribe, Tripura.
  • Lebang
  • The lebang bootiya is the insect. Bamboo clappers imitate the sound used to catch it.

Uttar Pradesh

North

  • Swang / Saang
  • Kathak (classical)
  • Jhoola
  • Holi dance
  • Charkula
  • Performed in the Braj region. Veiled women balance a massive multi-tiered wooden pyramid bearing 108 lit oil lamps on their heads.
  • Raslila
  • Depicts scenes from the life of Lord Krishna, from the Braj region (Mathura and Vrindavan).
  • Nautanki
  • Incorporates music, dance and storytelling on a raised platform; accompanied by the Nagada (kettledrum).
  • Kajri
  • Performed during the rainy season in the Bhojpuri region of UP and Bihar - Mirzapur and Varanasi belts. Sung by women to welcome the monsoon.
  • Ramlila
  • Dramatic folk dance that re-enacts the life of God Rama. On the UNESCO ICH list.
  • Dadra
  • A love dance performed in Mirzapur.
  • Swang / Saang
  • Folk theatre found in UP, Haryana and western Rajasthan; performers use costumes and masks with musical narration.
  • Charkula belongs to the Braj region of UP. Some mnemonic lists park it under Haryana - go with UP when the question mentions Braj or 108 lamps.

Braj region

Mathura and Vrindavan, so everything here is Krishna.

  • Charkula - 108 lamps on a tiered wooden pyramid
  • Raslila - scenes from Krishna's life

Monsoon songs

Rainy-season forms of the Bhojpuri belt.

  • Kajri - Mirzapur and Varanasi
  • Dadra - a love dance of Mirzapur

Theatre

Narrative and dramatic forms.

  • Nautanki - with the Nagada kettledrum
  • Ramlila - UNESCO listed
  • Swang / Saang
  • Charkula
  • A tiered wheel of lamps - 'chakra' plus a stack. 108 lamps, veiled women, Braj. If the question mentions lamps on a pyramid, it is Uttar Pradesh, not Haryana.
  • Kajri
  • From 'kajra', the kohl-black of monsoon clouds. A rainy-season song.

Uttarakhand

North

  • Thadiya
  • Pandav Nritya
  • Chhopati
  • Chamfuli / Chounphula
  • Langvir Nritya
  • Barada Nati
  • Ramman
  • Chhapeli
  • Performed in the Kumaon region.
  • Chanchari
  • Performed in the Garhwal region.
  • Chholia
  • Sword dance depicting the martial traditions of the Kumaoni; performed at weddings and marriage processions.
  • Tandi
  • Performed by males in a half-circle.
  • Thadiya
  • Dancers are divided into two groups standing in semicircles.
  • Jhora
  • Danced in Kumaon by mixed circles during spring fairs and on full-moon nights around Holi. Participants hold each other by the SHOULDERS and move to the Hurka drum. Also spelt Jhoda.
  • Pandav Nritya
  • Ritual dance of the Garhwal region performed during Dussehra and Diwali, celebrating the five Pandava brothers; dancers believe they are possessed by the Pandavas.
  • Chhopati
  • Romantic folk songs of the Tehri Garhwal region, sung communally by men and women in a question-and-answer format.
  • Chamfuli / Chounphula
  • Garhwal region; performed by men and women in pairs during spring, at Holi and to welcome the harvest.
  • Ramman
  • Religious festival and ritual theatre of the Saloor-Dungra villages - on the UNESCO ICH list.
  • Chholia = Uttarakhand (Kumaon sword dance). Do not confuse with Chhau (East India) or Chham (Buddhist mask dance).

Kumaon

Uttarakhand divides cleanly into two regions. This is half the state's answers.

  • Chhapeli
  • Jhora / Jhoda - shoulders held, Hurka drum, spring fairs
  • Chholia - sword dance at weddings
  • Shakunakhar - auspicious songs

Garhwal

The other half.

  • Chanchari
  • Pandav Nritya - Dussehra and Diwali
  • Chhopati - question-and-answer songs, Tehri
  • Chamfuli - in pairs, at Holi

Named after the formation

Remember the shape.

  • Tandi - men in a half-circle
  • Thadiya - two groups in semicircles
  • Kumaon versus Garhwal
  • Ask which half of the state first. Chhapeli, Jhora and Chholia are Kumaon; Chanchari, Pandav Nritya and Chhopati are Garhwal.
  • Chholia
  • A sword dance escorting a wedding procession - swords at a marriage is an odd enough image to stick.
  • Jhora
  • Shoulders held, Hurka drum. If the question mentions the Hurka, the answer is Uttarakhand, not Himachal.

West Bengal

East

  • Raibenshe
  • Kathi
  • Dhali
  • Jhumur
  • Domni
  • Alkap
  • Santhali
  • Lathi (martial)
  • Baul
  • Mystical music and dance of wandering minstrels of Bengal and Bangladesh, expressing their spiritual philosophy. Instruments: Ektara (one-stringed) and Dubki/Duggi. Recognised by UNESCO as a masterpiece of oral heritage.
  • Purulia Chhau
  • The West Bengal style of Chhau, using elaborate masks.
  • Raibenshe
  • Energetic martial folk dance performed by men in the Birbhum, Bardhaman and Murshidabad districts, originally by soldiers wielding long bamboo sticks (bensh).
  • Gambhira
  • Folk performance of the Malda region, devotional to Lord Shiva, with sharp social satire.
  • Tusu & Bhadu
  • Harvest and seasonal folk-song dances of the Rarh region.
  • Gajan
  • Festival dance linked to Shiva and Neel Puja, performed at the end of Chaitra.
  • Baul = West Bengal, not Rajasthan, Ladakh or Maharashtra - a repeatedly asked one-liner.

Mystic and wandering

Not tied to a village or a season.

  • Baul - Ektara and Dubki, UNESCO oral heritage

Shiva-linked

Both devotional to Shiva, both with satire in them.

  • Gajan - end of Chaitra
  • Gambhira - Malda region

Harvest songs

Seasonal, of the Rarh belt.

  • Tusu
  • Bhadu

Martial

Stick and sword forms.

  • Raibenshe - Birbhum, Bardhaman, Murshidabad
  • Lathi
  • Dhali

Masked

The Bengal style of Chhau.

  • Purulia Chhau - elaborate masks
  • Baul
  • From 'batul' - one who is possessed or mad with devotion. Wandering minstrels with the one-stringed Ektara.
  • Raibenshe
  • 'Bensh' = bamboo. A martial dance with long bamboo sticks.

Punjab

North

  • Malwai Giddha
  • Julli
  • Dhamal
  • Gatka (martial)
  • Lathi (martial)
  • Bhangra
  • High-energy harvest dance originating in the Majha area, performed at Baisakhi. Driven entirely by the Dhol - the large double-sided drum.
  • Giddha
  • The female counterpart of Bhangra, performed by women in a circle at Teeyan, Lohri and weddings, with rhythmic clapping and sung couplets called 'boliyan'.
  • Luddi
  • Victory dance performed to celebrate success in sport, battle or at weddings. Dancers click their fingers, clap and move in a circle with relaxed, wavy body movements - gentler than Bhangra.
  • Sammi
  • Performed exclusively by women on auspicious festive occasions; women form a circle, clap and sing emotional folk songs. Similar in shape to Giddha.
  • Jaago
  • Literally 'wake up'. Festive pre-wedding dance in which female relatives carry a decorated copper pot (Gaggar) with lit oil lamps on their heads through the village.
  • Jhumar
  • Slow, graceful Punjabi dance of the Sandalbar region, performed in a circle.
  • Gatka
  • Sikh martial art of Punjab, performed with swords and sticks.
  • Giddha = women of Punjab. Garba = women of Gujarat. Men in Rajasthan perform different regional dances. This exact four-option set recurs.

Men, harvest and victory

All male, all high-energy, all built on the Dhol.

  • Bhangra - Majha area, at Baisakhi
  • Jhumar - Sandalbar, slower and circular
  • Luddi - to celebrate a victory

Women

All female, all in a circle, all sung rather than drummed.

  • Giddha - boliyan couplets, at Teeyan and Lohri
  • Sammi - on festive occasions
  • Kikli

Wedding

Pre-wedding household ritual.

  • Jaago - the Gaggar pot with lit lamps

Martial

Sikh weapon art.

  • Gatka
  • Jaago
  • 'Jaago' means wake up. Women carry a lamp-lit pot through the village at night to wake people for the wedding.
  • Giddha versus Bhangra
  • Giddha is the female counterpart of Bhangra: clapping and sung couplets instead of the Dhol.

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

UT

  • Koshan (Ladakh)
  • Attam
  • Nicobarese pig dance (Andaman & Nicobar)
  • Spao
  • Warrior dance of Ladakh; men in traditional Ladakhi warrior costume carry swords and shields, performed at major festivals and monastic celebrations.
  • Shondol
  • Royal dance of Ladakh, historically performed for the king.
  • Cham
  • Buddhist masked monastic dance of Ladakh's gompas.
  • Lava
  • Performed only by MALE dancers of Lakshadweep, particularly on Minicoy island, in a perfect circular formation to powerful drum beats.
  • Parichakali
  • Popular folk dance of Lakshadweep, commonly called the 'Shield Dance'. Men use wooden shields and swords/sticks for rhythmic martial movements. 'Paricha' = shield, 'Kali' = dance.
  • Sikmari (Ladakh)
  • Folk dance of Ladakh performed in Leh during festivals; notably, it is often preceded by a HORSE RACE.
  • Nicobarese pig dance
  • Indigenous tribal dance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  • Sikmari appears twice: Sikkim (Lepcha, nature) and Ladakh (Leh, preceded by a horse race). The horse race cue points to Ladakh.

Ladakh

Buddhist and royal, high-altitude.

  • Spao - warrior dance with swords and shields
  • Shondol - the royal dance
  • Jabro
  • Cham - monastic mask dance
  • Sikmari - in Leh, preceded by a horse race

Lakshadweep

Island forms, mostly male and martial.

  • Lava - Minicoy island, males only, circular
  • Parichakali - the Shield Dance
  • Kolkali - stick dance

Andaman and Nicobar

One indigenous form worth knowing.

  • Nicobarese pig dance
  • Parichakali
  • 'Paricha' = shield, 'kali' = dance. Shield dance - the name is the answer.
  • Sikmari, twice
  • Sikkim has a Sikmari (Lepcha, nature) and Ladakh has a Sikmari (Leh, horse race). The horse race is the Ladakh cue.
  • Lathi
  • Punjab & West Bengal
  • Gatka
  • Punjab
  • Silambam
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Sarit Sarak / Thang-Ta
  • Manipur
  • Kalaripayattu
  • Kerala
  • Thoda
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Inbuan
  • Mizoram
  • Mardani Khel
  • Maharashtra
  • Pari Khanda
  • Bihar
  • Mallakhamba
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Musti Yudha
  • Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
  • Chhau
  • Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha
  • Paika
  • Odisha & Jharkhand
  • Chholia
  • Uttarakhand
  • Raibenshe
  • West Bengal
  • Velakali & Parichamuttukali
  • Kerala
  • Bolak-aat
  • Karnataka
  • Ranapa
  • Odisha
  • Spao
  • Ladakh
  • Parichakali
  • Lakshadweep
  • Kathi Samu
  • Andhra Pradesh

Bharatanatyam

Tamil Nadu

  • Oldest surviving classical dance; called the mother of Indian classical dances.
  • Evolved from 'Sadir' / Dasi Attam, performed by Devadasis in temples.
  • Grammar drawn from the Abhinaya Darpana of Nandikeshwara.
  • Revived by Rukmini Devi Arundale - first public-stage performance in 1935.
  • Repertoire order: Alarippu (first item, means 'to adorn with flowers') - Jatiswaram - Shabdam - Varnam - Padam - Tillana.
  • Padam = slow, expressive item exploring love and divine affection through Abhinaya.
  • Balances Tandava (vigorous) and Lasya (graceful); Carnatic music; conductor is the Nattuvanar.

Kathak

Uttar Pradesh / North India

  • The only classical dance of North India; name from 'Kathakar' (storyteller).
  • Rhythm marked by Tabla and Pakhawaj.
  • Signature techniques: Tatkaar (footwork), Chakkars (spins), heavy use of ghungroos (ankle bells).
  • Closely linked to Thumri singing; flourished in Mughal and Nawabi courts.
  • Gharanas: Lucknow, Jaipur, Banaras.
  • Exponents: Birju Maharaj, Sitara Devi (Padma Shri, 'Kathak Queen').

Kathakali

Kerala

  • Classical dance-drama; 'Story Play'. Traditionally performed by male actors only, who also play female roles.
  • Elaborate makeup, heavy costumes, mask-like painted faces; towering headgear.
  • Makeup codes: Pacha (green - noble), Kathi (knife/red streaks - arrogant villains), Kari (black - hunters), Minukku (female characters).
  • Drums: Chenda, Maddalam, Idakka. Music style: Sopanam Sangeetham.
  • 24 basic mudras and 9 Navarasas; accompanied by live vocalists (Ponnani and Sinkidi) - the dancer does not sing.
  • Stories drawn from Indian epics - Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas.

Kuchipudi

Andhra Pradesh

  • Originated in Kuchelapuram village, Krishna district.
  • Systematised by Siddhendra Yogi in the 17th century; he composed 'Bhama Kalapam'.
  • Unique feature: dancers speak and sing (Vachikabhinaya) - dance + mime + acting combined.
  • Signature item: Tarangam - dancing on the rim of a brass plate, sometimes balancing a pot of water.
  • Traditionally trained young Brahmin boys.

Odissi

Odisha

  • Grew in the Hindu temples of Odisha; performed by Maharis (female temple dancers) in the sanctum of the Jagannath Temple, and later by Gotipua boys.
  • Two foundational postures: Chowk (Chauka) - square, masculine, symbolising Lord Jagannath; and Tribhanga - three bends at neck, torso and knees.
  • Predominant theme: Krishna Leela, drawn from Jayadeva's Gita Govinda.
  • Revived in the modern era by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.

Manipuri

Manipur

  • The only classical dance from the North East. Also called Jagoi.
  • Deeply Vaishnavite - centred on Ras Leela and the love of Krishna and Radha.
  • Predominant theme: devotion and love (Bhakti); gentle, floating, fluid movements without heavy footwork.
  • Revived in the early 20th century by Rabindranath Tagore, who brought Manipuri teachers to Santiniketan after seeing a performance in Sylhet.
  • Exponent: Guru Bipin Singh. Male drum dance: Pung Cholom.

Mohiniyattam

Kerala

  • 'Dance of the Enchantress' (Mohini - an avatar of Vishnu).
  • Solo dance performed by WOMEN, entirely in the Lasya (graceful, feminine) style.
  • Costume: white or off-white Kasavu saree with gold borders.
  • Swati Tirunal, the Maharaja of Travancore, played the pivotal role in its development and stabilisation.
  • Movements are gentle and swaying, said to echo palm trees.

Sattriya

Assam

  • Introduced in the 15th century by the Vaishnava saint Srimanta Sankardev as a medium to spread Vaishnavism.
  • Performed in Sattras (monasteries), traditionally by male monks (Bhokots), as part of Ankiya Nat / Bhaona.
  • Recognised as a classical dance by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in the year 2000 - the youngest of the eight.
  • Instruments: Khol (drum) and Taal (cymbals). Costume: Mekhela Chador in Assamese silk.
  • Themes largely from the Bhagavata Purana.
  • The Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni is the foundational text for all Indian classical dance - it codifies rhythm, Rasa and body movement. The Abhinaya Darpana of Nandikeshwara is the later gesture manual, most closely tied to Bharatanatyam.
  • The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognises EIGHT classical dances. The Ministry of Culture treats Chhau as a ninth classical form - which is why Chhau is best described as classical/semi-classical with strong martial elements.
  • Quick state map: Bharatanatyam - Tamil Nadu | Kathak - Uttar Pradesh | Kathakali & Mohiniyattam - Kerala | Kuchipudi - Andhra Pradesh | Odissi - Odisha | Manipuri - Manipur | Sattriya - Assam.
  • Kalbelia
  • Rajasthan
  • 2010
  • Chhau
  • Jharkhand / West Bengal / Odisha
  • 2010
  • Ramlila
  • Uttar Pradesh & North India
  • 2005/2008
  • Koodiyattam
  • Kerala
  • 2001/2008
  • Sankirtana
  • Manipur
  • 2013
  • Ramman
  • Uttarakhand (Garhwal)
  • 2009
  • Baul songs
  • West Bengal
  • 2005/2008
  • Buddhist chanting of Ladakh
  • Ladakh
  • 2012
  • Garba of Gujarat
  • Gujarat
  • 2023
  • Durga Puja in Kolkata
  • West Bengal
  • 2021
  • Teejan Bai
  • Pandavani (Chhattisgarh)
  • Padma Vibhushan 2019
  • Usha Barle
  • Pandavani (Chhattisgarh)
  • Padma Shri 2023
  • Gulabo Sapera
  • Kalbelia (Rajasthan)
  • Best-known Kalbelia exponent
  • Rukmini Devi Arundale
  • Bharatanatyam
  • Revived Sadir; first public stage performance 1935
  • Sitara Devi
  • Kathak
  • Padma Shri; 'Kathak Queen'
  • Birju Maharaj
  • Kathak
  • Lucknow gharana
  • Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra
  • Odissi
  • Revived Odissi from Mahari & Gotipua traditions
  • Guru Bipin Singh
  • Manipuri
  • Codified Manipuri technique
  • Srimanta Sankardev
  • Sattriya
  • 15th-century saint; created Ankiya Nat and the Sattra tradition
  • Siddhendra Yogi
  • Kuchipudi
  • Composed Bhama Kalapam
  • Swati Tirunal
  • Mohiniyattam
  • Maharaja of Travancore; developed the repertoire
  • Kunchan Nambiar
  • Ottamthullal (Kerala)
  • Introduced the form
  • Swapnasundari
  • Vilasini Natyam (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Revived and reconstructed it
  • Nataraja Ramakrishna
  • Perini Shivatandavam (Telangana)
  • Revived the Kakatiya-era warrior dance
  • Rabindranath Tagore
  • Manipuri
  • Revived it by bringing teachers to Santiniketan
  • Narahari Burha Bhakat
  • Bhortal (Assam)
  • Developed the form at Barpeta
  • Bhikhari Thakur
  • Bidesia & Launda Naach (Bihar)
  • 'Shakespeare of Bhojpuri'
  • Tulsi Raghavendra Hegde
  • Yakshagana (Karnataka)
  • Shaped its development
  • Dhol
  • Bhangra (Punjab)
  • Dholki
  • Lavani (Maharashtra)
  • Dholak & Nagada
  • Badhai and Rai (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Nagada (kettledrum)
  • Nautanki (Uttar Pradesh)
  • Tabla & Pakhawaj
  • Kathak (classical)
  • Chenda, Maddalam, Idakka
  • Kathakali (Kerala)
  • Khol & Taal
  • Sattriya (Assam)
  • Mridangam
  • Carnatic music / Bharatanatyam
  • Ektara & Dubki
  • Baul (West Bengal)
  • Pungi
  • Kalbelia (Rajasthan)
  • Manjeera (13 cymbals)
  • Terah Taali (Rajasthan)
  • Ilathalam (cymbals) & claps
  • Thiruvathira Kali (Kerala)
  • Hurka
  • Jhora (Uttarakhand)
  • Dollu (drum)
  • Dollu Kunitha (Karnataka)
  • Sambal
  • Veergase (Karnataka)
  • Halagi
  • Joodu Halagi (Karnataka)
  • Sifung (flute) & Kham
  • Bagurumba (Assam)
  • Dhol & Pepa (horn)
  • Bihu (Assam)
  • Tambura
  • Pandavani (Chhattisgarh) and Burrakatha (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Kamsale (brass)
  • Kamsale (Karnataka)
  • Lezim (stick with cymbals)
  • Lezim (Maharashtra)
  • Bamboo staves
  • Cheraw (Mizoram)
  • Tippani (wooden sticks)
  • Tippani (Gujarat)
  • Ghungroo
  • Kathak; Jhanjhar (Himachal Pradesh)
  • Navratri
  • Garba & Dandiya Raas (Gujarat), Naurata (MP), Titodo (Gujarat), Dhangar (Goa)
  • Baisakhi
  • Bhangra (Punjab)
  • Rongali Bihu
  • Bihu (Assam)
  • Bwisagu
  • Bagurumba (Assam)
  • Chapchar Kut
  • Cheraw & Chailam (Mizoram)
  • Hornbill (1-10 Dec)
  • Rengma & Naga war dances (Nagaland)
  • Pang Lhabsol
  • Chu-Faat & Singhi Chham (Sikkim)
  • Losar
  • Yakchham (Sikkim), Aji Lamu (Arunachal Pradesh)
  • Mopin
  • Popir (Arunachal Pradesh)
  • Oriah
  • Wancho & Ozele (Arunachal Pradesh)
  • Aran
  • Tapu (Arunachal Pradesh)
  • Monyu
  • Monyoasho (Nagaland)
  • Holi / Phagun
  • Phag & Loor (Haryana), Bhagoria (MP), Tarangmel (Goa), Dhol Cholom (Manipur), Rathwa ni Gher & Daang (Gujarat), Chamfuli (Uttarakhand), Jhoda (Uttarakhand)
  • Shigmo
  • Romat (Goa)
  • Shimga
  • Tamasha (Maharashtra)
  • Ganesh Chaturthi / Ganeshotsav
  • Fugdi (Goa), Lezim (Maharashtra)
  • Onam
  • Pulikali & Thiruvathira Kali (Kerala)
  • Pongal
  • Kummi (Tamil Nadu)
  • Thaipusam
  • Kavadi Attam (Tamil Nadu)
  • Dussehra
  • Dhaman (HP), Veergase (Karnataka), Gusadi/Dandari (Telangana), Saila (MP), Dalkhai (Odisha), Pandav Nritya (Uttarakhand), Tarangmel (Goa)
  • Dasain / Jhika Dassain
  • Santhali (Jharkhand)
  • Durga Puja
  • Jhijhiya (Bihar)
  • Karam Puja
  • Karma / Jhumair (Jharkhand)
  • Teeyan & Lohri
  • Giddha (Punjab)
  • Karthik (Oct-Nov)
  • Jhumeri (Bihar), Chalo Loku (Arunachal Pradesh)
  • Retrieval practice
  • Testing yourself beats re-reading by a wide margin - this is the most replicated finding in the memory literature (Roediger and Karpicke). Use the Recall mode button on any state to hide the facts and force yourself to produce them, and answer flashcards before flipping.
  • Notes: Recall mode. Flashcards: answer aloud first.
  • Spaced repetition
  • Material reviewed at widening gaps is retained far longer than the same material crammed (Ebbinghaus; Cepeda et al.). The flashcards run a five-box Leitner schedule: a card you get right moves up a box and comes back later, a card you miss drops to box one and returns immediately.
  • Flashcards: study the Due queue daily.
  • Interleaving
  • Mixing topics while studying feels harder and produces better discrimination between similar items than studying one state at a time. That is exactly what you need for Chapeli, Cheraw and Kaksar.
  • Flashcards: Shuffle. PYQs: they are already mixed.
  • Elaborative encoding
  • A fact linked to meaning is recalled better than one linked to an arbitrary string (Craik and Lockhart). Most of these dances are named after the object, the tribe or the festival, so the name usually contains its own answer. That is what the Name meanings section is for.
  • Notes: read the Name meanings before the fact list.
  • Chunking
  • Seven arbitrary items strain working memory; three meaningful groups do not. Each state is grouped by what the dances have in common - region, tribe, festival, prop - so you store three chunks instead of twelve names.
  • Notes: the Group it section.

Name meaning — Veeranatyam

'Veera' = brave. The dance of the brave, for Shiva's warrior Veerabhadra.

Name meanings

Andhra Pradesh

Name meaning — Bonalu

'Bonam' = a meal offered in a pot. Women carry pots to Mahakali - the pot is the dance.

Name meanings

Andhra Pradesh

Name meaning — Butta Bommalu

'Butta' = basket, 'bommalu' = dolls. Basket dolls, worn on the head as masks.

Name meanings

Andhra Pradesh

Name meaning — Burrakatha

'Burra' = the skull-shaped tambura, 'katha' = story. A story told over a tambura.

Name meanings

Andhra Pradesh

Name meaning — Dhimsa

Fifteen to twenty women locking into a human chain down an Araku hillside.

Name meanings

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh: name the temple and myth group

  • Veeranatyam - Shiva, danced by the Veerabhadra community
  • Bonalu - Goddess Mahakali
  • Bhamakalapam - dance-drama by Siddhendra Yogi
  • Vilasini Natyam - Kalavantulu temple dancers

Each one is tied to a deity or a temple ritual, so store them with the god's name attached.

Grouping

Andhra Pradesh

Which state? — Veeranatyam

Andhra Pradesh

State mapping

Andhra Pradesh

Which state? — Bonalu

Andhra Pradesh  /  Telangana

State mapping

Andhra Pradesh

Which state? — Bhamakalapam

Andhra Pradesh

State mapping

Andhra Pradesh

Which state? — Vilasini Natyam

Andhra Pradesh

State mapping

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh: name the owned by a named tribe group

  • Lambadi - Banjara tribe
  • Dhimsa - Porja tribe, Araku valley

If the question gives you a tribe, it is almost always one of these two.

Grouping

Andhra Pradesh

Which state? — Lambadi

Andhra Pradesh  /  Telangana

State mapping

Andhra Pradesh

Which state? — Dhimsa

Andhra Pradesh  /  Telangana

State mapping

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh: name the named after the object used group

  • Kolattam - sticks
  • Butta Bommalu - basket masks
  • Dappu - the dappu drum
  • Burrakatha - the burra (tambura)

The prop is in the name. Recall the object, get the dance.

Grouping

Andhra Pradesh

Which state? — Kolattam

Andhra Pradesh  /  Tamil Nadu

State mapping

Andhra Pradesh

Which state? — Butta Bommalu

Andhra Pradesh

State mapping

Andhra Pradesh

Which state? — Dappu

Andhra Pradesh

State mapping

Andhra Pradesh

Which state? — Burrakatha

Andhra Pradesh

State mapping

Andhra Pradesh

Which state? — Kuchipudi

Andhra Pradesh

State mapping

Andhra Pradesh

Veeranatyam (Andhra Pradesh)

Dance of the brave. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, performed by the Veerabhadra community inside Shiva temples. Linked to the Daksha Yagna myth - Veerabhadra destroyed the yagna and beheaded Daksha.

Key facts

Andhra Pradesh

Bhamakalapam / Gollakalapam (Andhra Pradesh)

Popular dance-drama created by Siddhendra Yogi, the saint who also systematised Kuchipudi.

Key facts

Andhra Pradesh

Bonalu (Andhra Pradesh)

Celebrated in honour of Goddess Mahakali. The word 'Bonalu' means Pot.

Key facts

Andhra Pradesh

Dhimsa (Andhra Pradesh)

Performed in Araku valley; 15-20 women form a chain. Tribe: Porja.

Key facts

Andhra Pradesh

Lambadi (Andhra Pradesh)

Performed by the Banjara tribe.

Key facts

Andhra Pradesh

Butta Bommalu (Andhra Pradesh)

Mask dance meaning 'basket toys' - made of wood, dry grass and cow dung. Performed in West Godavari.

Key facts

Andhra Pradesh

Burrakatha (Andhra Pradesh)

Oral storytelling ballad: one main narrator with a tambura plus two co-performers with small drums. Narrates mythological stories.

Key facts

Andhra Pradesh

Vilasini Natyam (Andhra Pradesh)

Telugu temple-dance tradition of the Kalavantulu (female temple dancers), revived and reconstructed by Swapnasundari.

Key facts

Andhra Pradesh

Kolattam (Andhra Pradesh)

Stick dance (also strongly associated with Tamil Nadu as Kolattam / Kerala as Kolkali).

Key facts

Andhra Pradesh

Name meaning — Monpa dances

Monpa live in Tawang, on the Tibetan border - so their dances are Buddhist theatre with animal masks: lion, peacock, yak.

Name meanings

Arunachal Pradesh

Name meaning — Popir

Popir and Mopin share the same P-M-P shape. Galo tribe, goddess Mopin Ape.

Name meanings

Arunachal Pradesh

Name meaning — Bardo Chham

'Bardo' is the Tibetan word for the state between lives - fitting for a dance of twelve zodiac spirits.

Name meanings

Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh: name the the monpa three group

  • Lion and Peacock
  • Aji Lamu
  • Yak Chham

One tribe, three dances, all animal or theatre. Learn them as a set, never singly.

Grouping

Arunachal Pradesh

Which state? — Lion and Peacock

Arunachal Pradesh

State mapping

Arunachal Pradesh

Which state? — Aji Lamu

Arunachal Pradesh

State mapping

Arunachal Pradesh

Which state? — Yak Chham

Arunachal Pradesh

State mapping

Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh: name the named after the festival they belong to group

  • Popir - Mopin festival, Galo tribe
  • Wancho and Ozele - Oriah festival
  • Chalo Loku - Nocte tribe, Oct-Nov
  • Tapu - Aran festival, Adi tribe

The festival name is the retrieval cue.

Grouping

Arunachal Pradesh

Which state? — Popir

Arunachal Pradesh

State mapping

Arunachal Pradesh

Which state? — Wancho and Ozele

Arunachal Pradesh

State mapping

Arunachal Pradesh

Which state? — Chalo Loku

Arunachal Pradesh

State mapping

Arunachal Pradesh

Which state? — Tapu

Arunachal Pradesh

State mapping

Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh: name the adi tribe pair group

  • Ponung - harvest
  • Pasi Kongki - sung to 'Abang' songs

Both Adi, both seasonal.

Grouping

Arunachal Pradesh

Which state? — Ponung

Arunachal Pradesh

State mapping

Arunachal Pradesh

Which state? — Pasi Kongki

Arunachal Pradesh

State mapping

Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh: name the masks and cosmology group

  • Bardo Chham - 12 zodiac signs, Sherdukpen
  • Mask dance

Mask-based, Buddhist-influenced.

Grouping

Arunachal Pradesh

Which state? — Bardo Chham

Arunachal Pradesh

State mapping

Arunachal Pradesh

Which state? — Mask dance

Arunachal Pradesh

State mapping

Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh: name the one tribe, one dance group

  • Rikhampada - Nyishi
  • Buiya - Digaru Mishmi

Short tail. Just pair them.

Grouping

Arunachal Pradesh

Which state? — Rikhampada

Arunachal Pradesh

State mapping

Arunachal Pradesh

Which state? — Buiya

Arunachal Pradesh

State mapping

Arunachal Pradesh

Which state? — Ozele

Arunachal Pradesh

State mapping

Arunachal Pradesh

Wancho (Arunachal Pradesh)

Performed in March/April during the Oriah festival.

Key facts

Arunachal Pradesh

Buiya (Arunachal Pradesh)

Performed by the Digaru Mishmi tribe.

Key facts

Arunachal Pradesh

Pasi Kongki (Arunachal Pradesh)

Performed by the Adi tribe with songs called 'Abang'.

Key facts

Arunachal Pradesh

Chalo Loku (Arunachal Pradesh)

Performed by the Nocte tribe in Oct-Nov.

Key facts

Arunachal Pradesh

Bardo Chham (Arunachal Pradesh)

Dance of the 12 Zodiacs, performed by the Sherdukpen community. Tied to the Tibetan-Buddhist tradition.

Key facts

Arunachal Pradesh

Ponung (Arunachal Pradesh)

Performed by the Adi tribe during the harvesting season.

Key facts

Arunachal Pradesh

Popir (Arunachal Pradesh)

Performed by the Galo tribe in white attire as a tribute to 'Mopin Ape', goddess of prosperity and fertility, during the Mopin festival. Chanting called 'Bari'.

Key facts

Arunachal Pradesh

Lion and Peacock (Arunachal Pradesh)

Performed by the Monpa tribe (Tawang / West Kameng). Animal-mask theatrical dance.

Key facts

Arunachal Pradesh

Aji Lamu (Arunachal Pradesh)

Monpa tribe. Dance-drama on the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, part of the Losar festival.

Key facts

Arunachal Pradesh

Yak Chham (Arunachal Pradesh)

Performed by the Monpa tribe.

Key facts

Arunachal Pradesh

Rikhampada (Arunachal Pradesh)

Performed by the Nyishi tribe.

Key facts

Arunachal Pradesh

Tapu (Arunachal Pradesh)

War dance of the Adi tribe, performed during the Aran festival to ward off evil spirits.

Key facts

Arunachal Pradesh

Ozele (Arunachal Pradesh)

Performed by the Wancho tribe during the Oriah festival - agricultural harvest and community bonding.

Key facts

Arunachal Pradesh

Name meaning — Bagurumba

Bodo and butterfly both begin with B. Women's hands flutter like wings; instruments are the sifung flute and kham.

Name meanings

Assam

Name meaning — Deodhani

'Deo' = deity. The dancer is possessed by the deity - Manasa, the snake goddess.

Name meanings

Assam

Name meaning — Ali Ai Ligang

'Ali' = root or seed, 'Ligang' = to sow. The name is literally the sowing festival.

Name meanings

Assam

Assam: name the the sattra line group

  • Ankiya Naat / Bhaona - the plays
  • Ojapali - dance plus drama
  • Bhortal - Barpeta, by Narahari Burha Bhakat
  • Sattriya - the classical outcome

Everything Sankardev built sits in one chain. Learn it as a lineage, not four facts.

Grouping

Assam

Which state? — Ankiya Naat / Bhaona

Assam

State mapping

Assam

Which state? — Ojapali

Assam

State mapping

Assam

Which state? — Bhortal

Assam

State mapping

Assam

Which state? — Sattriya

Assam

State mapping

Assam

Assam: name the farming calendar of the tribes group

  • Bihu - Rongali Bihu, Assamese New Year, April
  • Ali Ai Ligang - Mishing, sowing, Feb-March
  • Baidima - Dimasa, harvest
  • Bawang - Karbi

Each tribe has one dance, each tied to a point in the crop year.

Grouping

Assam

Which state? — Bihu

Assam

State mapping

Assam

Which state? — Ali Ai Ligang

Assam

State mapping

Assam

Which state? — Baidima

Assam

State mapping

Assam

Which state? — Bawang

Assam

State mapping

Assam

Assam: name the bodo and bodo-kachari group

  • Bagurumba - Bwisagu spring festival, butterfly hands
  • Deodhani - snake goddess Manasa

Two dances, one people, opposite moods: joy and possession.

Grouping

Assam

Which state? — Bagurumba

Assam

State mapping

Assam

Which state? — Deodhani

Assam

State mapping

Assam

Assam: name the brought in from outside group

  • Jhumur - tea-garden community

Not indigenous to the valley - carried in by plantation labour.

Grouping

Assam

Which state? — Jhumur

Assam  /  West Bengal

State mapping

Assam

Bhortal (Assam)

Developed by Narahari Burha Bhakat, celebrated at Barpeta.

Key facts

Assam

Jhumur (Assam)

Performed by the tea-garden community (Kulis).

Key facts

Assam

Bagurumba (Assam)

Bodo community, during the Bwisagu festival. Women wear dokhona / arunai. Called the 'butterfly dance'; instruments sifung (flute) and kham.

Key facts

Assam

Bihu (Assam)

Both a dance and a festival. Rongali Bihu = Assamese New Year, mid-April. Dancers in circles or rows with dhol and pepa (horn).

Key facts

Assam

Ali Ai Ligang (Assam)

Mishing tribe, agricultural sowing festival in Feb/March.

Key facts

Assam

Deodhani (Assam)

Bodo-Kachari tribe, tribute to the snake goddess Manasa, using drums and flutes.

Key facts

Assam

Ojapali (Assam)

Dance + drama combination.

Key facts

Assam

Baidima (Assam)

Harvest festival dance of the Dimasa tribe.

Key facts

Assam

Bawang (Assam)

Celebrated by the Karbi tribe.

Key facts

Assam

Ankiya Naat / Bhaona (Assam)

One-act plays written by Srimanta Sankardev, staged in Sattras - the root of Sattriya.

Key facts

Assam

Name meaning — Jhijhiya

A perforated clay pot with a lamp inside, balanced on the head - the light leaks through the holes to drive off the evil eye.

Name meanings

Bihar

Name meaning — Bidesia

'Bidesi' = one who has gone abroad. The whole form is about the husband who left for work.

Name meanings

Bihar

Name meaning — Sohar

A sohar is literally a birth song in Bhojpuri, so Sohar Khelwana can only be a childbirth dance.

Name meanings

Bihar

Bihar: name the mithila belt group

  • Jat-Jatin - monsoon moonlit nights
  • Jhijhiya - Durga Puja
  • Jhumeri - Karthik month, Oct-Nov

Three dances, one region, all seasonal. Fix the region first, then the season.

Grouping

Bihar

Which state? — Jat-Jatin

Bihar

State mapping

Bihar

Which state? — Jhijhiya

Bihar

State mapping

Bihar

Which state? — Jhumeri

Bihar

State mapping

Bihar

Bihar: name the danced at a life event group

  • Sohar Khelwana - childbirth
  • Domkach - marriage

Sort by the event, not the name.

Grouping

Bihar

Which state? — Sohar Khelwana

Bihar

State mapping

Bihar

Which state? — Domkach

Bihar  /  Jharkhand

State mapping

Bihar

Bihar: name the named after the community that owns it group

  • Natwa - Chamar community
  • Jharni - Julaha community

Community is the whole answer.

Grouping

Bihar

Which state? — Natwa

Bihar

State mapping

Bihar

Which state? — Jharni

Bihar

State mapping

Bihar

Bihar: name the the bhikhari thakur stage group

  • Bidesia - migration and separation
  • Launda Naach - men in female roles

One playwright, two forms. Remember the man, get both.

Grouping

Bihar

Which state? — Bidesia

Bihar

State mapping

Bihar

Which state? — Launda Naach

Bihar

State mapping

Bihar

Which state? — Dhibia

Bihar

State mapping

Bihar

Which state? — Paika

Bihar  /  Jharkhand

State mapping

Bihar

Which state? — Kajari

Bihar

State mapping

Bihar

Which state? — Pari Khanda

Bihar

State mapping

Bihar

Jat-Jatin (Bihar)

Based on the tragic love story of Jat and Jatin. Mithila region, monsoon moonlit nights.

Key facts

Bihar

Bidesia (Bihar)

Built on social issues - migration and separation. Associated with Bhikhari Thakur.

Key facts

Bihar

Jhijhiya (Bihar)

Women balance perforated lamp-lit pots/lanterns on their heads. Mithila, Bhojpuri and India-Nepal belt; performed at Durga Puja to ward off the evil eye.

Key facts

Bihar

Jharni (Bihar)

Performed by the Julaha community.

Key facts

Bihar

Kajari (Bihar)

Performed during the monsoon season.

Key facts

Bihar

Natwa (Bihar)

Performed by the Chamar community.

Key facts

Bihar

Sohar Khelwana (Bihar)

Mainly performed at childbirth.

Key facts

Bihar

Jhumeri (Bihar)

Performed in the Mithilanchal region during Karthik month (Oct-Nov).

Key facts

Bihar

Launda Naach (Bihar)

Male performers cross-dress as women; popularised by Bhikhari Thakur. Weddings and festivals.

Key facts

Bihar

Name meaning — Suwa

'Suwa' means parrot. Women circle a parrot placed in a bamboo basket, so the name and the prop match.

Name meanings

Chhattisgarh

Name meaning — Panthi

'Panth' = sect. A sect dance, therefore Satnami, therefore Guru Ghasidas.

Name meanings

Chhattisgarh

Name meaning — Pandavani

'Pandava' + 'vani' = the voice of the Pandavas. Mahabharata, never Ramayana.

Name meanings

Chhattisgarh

Name meaning — Gendi

Gendi are the stilts themselves. Baiga tribe on stilts.

Name meanings

Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh: name the bastar tribal block group

  • Kaksar - Abujhmaria
  • Gaur Maria - Dandami Maria, bison-horn headgear
  • Gendi - Baiga, on stilts

All three are Bastar, all three are tribe-named. If the question says Bastar, look here.

Grouping

Chhattisgarh

Which state? — Kaksar

Chhattisgarh  /  Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Chhattisgarh

Which state? — Gaur Maria

Chhattisgarh

State mapping

Chhattisgarh

Which state? — Gendi

Chhattisgarh

State mapping

Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh: name the sect and epic group

  • Panthi - Satnami sect, Guru Ghasidas
  • Pandavani - Mahabharata, Teejan Bai

Devotional narrative forms, both with a named exponent.

Grouping

Chhattisgarh

Which state? — Panthi

Chhattisgarh

State mapping

Chhattisgarh

Which state? — Pandavani

Chhattisgarh

State mapping

Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh: name the nature worship group

  • Karma - the karma or kadam tree
  • Suwa - the parrot

The dance is named after the living thing it honours.

Grouping

Chhattisgarh

Which state? — Karma

Chhattisgarh  /  Odisha

State mapping

Chhattisgarh

Which state? — Suwa

Chhattisgarh

State mapping

Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh: name the community harvest group

  • Saila - Bhil stick dance
  • Raut Nacha - Yadav cowherds

Post-harvest, community-wide.

Grouping

Chhattisgarh

Which state? — Saila

Chhattisgarh  /  Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Chhattisgarh

Which state? — Raut Nacha

Chhattisgarh

State mapping

Chhattisgarh

Which state? — Dandari

Chhattisgarh  /  Telangana

State mapping

Chhattisgarh

Kaksar (Chhattisgarh)

Performed by the Abujhmaria tribe of Bastar.

Key facts

Chhattisgarh

Suwa Nacha (Chhattisgarh)

The Parrot Dance, performed by the Kamar tribe. Women dance around a parrot placed in a bamboo basket during harvest season.

Key facts

Chhattisgarh

Karma Nacha (Chhattisgarh)

Dedicated to the karma (kadam) tree.

Key facts

Chhattisgarh

Gendi (Chhattisgarh)

Performed by the Baiga tribe on stilts.

Key facts

Chhattisgarh

Panthi Nacha (Chhattisgarh)

Performed by the Satnami Panth, devotional dance dedicated to Guru Ghasidas, founder of the Satnami sect. Dancers wear a simple dhoti and perform acrobatics and pyramids around a 'Jaitkham'.

Key facts

Chhattisgarh

Pandavani (Chhattisgarh)

Storytelling of the Mahabharata, Bhima as the hero. Two styles - Vedamati and Kapalik. Instrument: tambura. Teejan Bai received the Padma Vibhushan in 2019; Usha Barle the Padma Shri in 2023.

Key facts

Chhattisgarh

Saila (Chhattisgarh)

Performed by the Bhil tribe as a post-harvest stick dance; also seen at Dussehra.

Key facts

Chhattisgarh

Gaur Maria (Chhattisgarh)

Bison Horn Maria dance of the Dandami Maria tribe of Bastar. Male dancers wear headgear made of real bison horns; performed at births and marriages.

Key facts

Chhattisgarh

Raut Nacha (Chhattisgarh)

Performed by the Yadav (cowherd) community.

Key facts

Chhattisgarh

Name meaning — Tippani

The tippani is the tool - a long stick with a block on the end. Named after the object, like a hammer dance.

Name meanings

Gujarat

Name meaning — Garba

From 'garbha' - the womb, and the garbha deep, the lamp inside the pot at the centre of the circle.

Name meanings

Gujarat

Name meaning — Hudo

Bharwad shepherds imitating rams butting heads. Shepherd equals Hudo.

Name meanings

Gujarat

Gujarat: name the navratri set group

  • Garba - circles round the garbha deep lamp, no sticks
  • Dandiya Raas - sticks, Durga versus Mahishasura
  • Titodo - unmarried youth

Sequence matters: Garba comes before the aarti, Dandiya after.

Grouping

Gujarat

Which state? — Garba

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Dandiya Raas

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Titodo

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Gujarat: name the born out of a day's work group

  • Tippani - beating lime floors flat, Koli and Kharva women
  • Padhar and Manjira Nritya - rowing, Padhaar fisherfolk
  • Hudo and Matukadi - Bharwad shepherds

Each one started as physical labour and became a dance. Strong, distinctive cluster.

Grouping

Gujarat

Which state? — Tippani

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Padhar and Manjira Nritya

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Hudo and Matukadi

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Gujarat: name the tribal holi group

  • Rathwa ni Gher - Rathwa, Chhota Udepur
  • Daang / Dangi - Kokna, Warli, Bhil of the Dangs
  • Shikaar Nritya - hunt recreation

Body paint, sticks and pyramids, all around Holi.

Grouping

Gujarat

Which state? — Rathwa ni Gher

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Daang / Dangi

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Shikaar Nritya

Gujarat  /  Meghalaya

State mapping

Gujarat

Gujarat: name the one community, one dance group

  • Siddi Dhamal - Siddi community
  • Gop Raas - Gopis
  • Kaakda - to appease Shitala Mata against pox

Identity-based.

Grouping

Gujarat

Which state? — Siddi Dhamal

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Gop Raas

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Kaakda

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Bhavai

Gujarat  /  Rajasthan

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Hudo

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Lasya

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Vinchhudo

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Daang / Dangi Nritya

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Kaakda Nritya

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Which state? — Manjira Nritya

Gujarat

State mapping

Gujarat

Garba & Dandiya (Gujarat)

Both performed during Navratri. Garba (graceful, circular, around the garbha deep lamp) comes BEFORE the aarti; Dandiya (sticks) comes AFTER. Dandiya depicts the mock fight between Durga Mata and Mahishasura. Garba was inscribed on the UNESCO ICH list in 2023.

Key facts

Gujarat

Gop Raas (Gujarat)

Performed by Gopiyan; linked to Krishna's raas.

Key facts

Gujarat

Tippani (Gujarat)

Exclusively performed by Koli and Kharva tribe women of the Chorwad-Veraval area of Saurashtra. Long wooden sticks (tippani) were used to beat and level lime floors; male drummers accompany.

Key facts

Gujarat

Hudo (Gujarat)

Performed by the Bharwad tribe (shepherd community).

Key facts

Gujarat

Padhar (Gujarat)

Performed by the fisherman community of the Bhal region; movements imitate the rowing of oars.

Key facts

Gujarat

Siddi Dhamal (Gujarat)

Performed by the Siddi community of African descent.

Key facts

Gujarat

Matukadi (Gujarat)

Performed by the Ravari and Bharwad communities.

Key facts

Gujarat

Rathwa ni Gher (Gujarat)

Rathwa tribe of Chhota Udepur; Holi; bodies painted with white clay, long sticks carried.

Key facts

Gujarat

Shikaar Nritya (Gujarat)

Hunt dance recreating a hunting scene, with bows and arrows as props.

Key facts

Gujarat

Titodo (Gujarat)

Performed by unmarried youth during Navratri and village weddings.

Key facts

Gujarat

Daang / Dangi Nritya (Gujarat)

Kokna, Warli and Bhil communities of the Dangs district; Holi; concentric circles and human pyramids.

Key facts

Gujarat

Kaakda Nritya (Gujarat)

Ritual dance to appease Shitala Mata for protection against pox and measles.

Key facts

Gujarat

Manjira Nritya (Gujarat)

Padhaar community; dancers strike manjiras (cymbals) while depicting the life of fishermen.

Key facts

Gujarat

Name meaning — Dekhni

'Dekhni' means beauty in Konkani. The song is about a girl crossing a river to reach a wedding.

Name meanings

Goa

Name meaning — Ghode Modni

'Ghoda' = horse. Dancers wear a dummy horse and re-enact Maratha cavalry.

Name meanings

Goa

Name meaning — Sao Jao

Sao Jao is the feast of St John the Baptist, celebrated in June - the name dates the dance.

Name meanings

Goa

Goa: name the the portuguese-christian layer group

  • Mando - love and romance
  • Dekhni - Christian girls, Indian music
  • Corridinho

Goa's split heritage is the easiest way to halve this list.

Grouping

Goa

Which state? — Mando

Goa

State mapping

Goa

Which state? — Dekhni

Goa

State mapping

Goa

Which state? — Corridinho

Goa

State mapping

Goa

Goa: name the named after its festival group

  • Fugdi - Ganesh Chaturthi
  • Romat - Shigmo
  • Tarangmel - Holi and Dussehra
  • Sao Jao - the month of June

The occasion is the cue.

Grouping

Goa

Which state? — Fugdi

Goa

State mapping

Goa

Which state? — Romat

Goa

State mapping

Goa

Which state? — Tarangmel

Goa

State mapping

Goa

Which state? — Sao Jao

Goa

State mapping

Goa

Goa: name the community-owned group

  • Kunbi - Kunbi tribal community
  • Dhangar - shepherds, deity Bira Deva
  • Ghode Modni - Maratha warriors, dummy horse

Pre-Portuguese, indigenous.

Grouping

Goa

Which state? — Kunbi

Goa

State mapping

Goa

Which state? — Dhangar

Goa

State mapping

Goa

Which state? — Ghode Modni

Goa

State mapping

Goa

Goa: name the defined by the formation group

  • Dhalo - two parallel rows, arms interlocked
  • Goff - braided cords
  • Talgadi

Picture the shape, not the name.

Grouping

Goa

Which state? — Dhalo

Goa

State mapping

Goa

Which state? — Goff

Goa

State mapping

Goa

Which state? — Talgadi

Goa

State mapping

Goa

Which state? — Dashavatar

Goa

State mapping

Goa

Mando (Goa)

Depicts love and romance.

Key facts

Goa

Ghode Modni (Goa)

Depicts stories of bravery and victory, honouring Maratha warriors; dummy-horse dance.

Key facts

Goa

Jagor (Goa)

Starts at midnight and continues until morning.

Key facts

Goa

Fugdi (Goa)

Celebrated during Ganesh Chaturthi.

Key facts

Goa

Dekhni (Goa)

Performed by Christian girls to Indian music - a semi-classical blend of Indian and Portuguese influence. 'Dekhni' means beauty in Konkani; it tells of a girl who wants to cross a river to reach a wedding.

Key facts

Goa

Tarangmel (Goa)

Performed during Holi and Dussehra with flags and streamers.

Key facts

Goa

Dhalo (Goa)

Women stand in two parallel rows with interlocking arms.

Key facts

Goa

Goff (Goa)

Performed during festivals; braided-cord dance.

Key facts

Goa

Romat (Goa)

Associated with the Shigmo festival.

Key facts

Goa

Sao Jao (Goa)

Performed in the month of June.

Key facts

Goa

Kunbi (Goa)

Ancient tribal dance of the indigenous Kunbi community - a marker of Goa's pre-Portuguese culture. Women wear simple colourful sarees without heavy jewellery.

Key facts

Goa

Dhangar (Goa)

Performed by the Dhangar (shepherd) community during Navratri to worship their folk deity Bira Deva; white dress, turban, dhol.

Key facts

Goa

Name meaning — Thoda

'Thoda' is the round wooden knob fixed to the arrowhead so it cannot pierce. Blunt arrows, aimed below the knee - archery plus dance.

Name meanings

Himachal Pradesh

Name meaning — Cholamba

A tiger is killed, its hide stuffed and hung with ornaments, and the village dances round it. One image fixes the whole fact.

Name meanings

Himachal Pradesh

Name meaning — Kayang Mala

'Mala' = garland. Boys and girls interlock into a human garland.

Name meanings

Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh: name the buddhist lahaul and spiti group

  • Shand and Shabu - gompas of Lahaul
  • Chham and Chham Chhanak - Lamas, tribute to Lord Buddha

Monastery dances, all masked, all for the Buddha.

Grouping

Himachal Pradesh

Which state? — Shand and Shabu

Himachal Pradesh

State mapping

Himachal Pradesh

Which state? — Chham and Chham Chhanak

Himachal Pradesh

State mapping

Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh: name the masks that protect group

  • Rakshasa - Kinnaur, protects crops from evil spirits
  • Chhatrari - Chamba, Goddess Shakti

Masked, but for crops and village deities rather than the monastery.

Grouping

Himachal Pradesh

Which state? — Rakshasa

Himachal Pradesh

State mapping

Himachal Pradesh

Which state? — Chhatrari

Himachal Pradesh

State mapping

Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh: name the kinnaur and the high tribes group

  • Kayang Mala - garland formation, after drinking chhang
  • Cholamba - performed after killing a tiger

Distinctive local detail attached to each.

Grouping

Himachal Pradesh

Which state? — Kayang Mala

Himachal Pradesh

State mapping

Himachal Pradesh

Which state? — Cholamba

Himachal Pradesh

State mapping

Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh: name the sirmaur and chamba group

  • Chapeli
  • Rasa
  • Dangi

One district, three dances.

Grouping

Himachal Pradesh

Which state? — Chapeli

Himachal Pradesh

State mapping

Himachal Pradesh

Which state? — Rasa

Himachal Pradesh

State mapping

Himachal Pradesh

Which state? — Dangi

Himachal Pradesh

State mapping

Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh: name the mainstream and martial group

  • Nati - Guinness record for most dancers
  • Thoda - martial archery, Rajput community

The two most asked.

Grouping

Himachal Pradesh

Which state? — Nati

Himachal Pradesh

State mapping

Himachal Pradesh

Which state? — Thoda

Himachal Pradesh

State mapping

Himachal Pradesh

Which state? — Chohara

Himachal Pradesh

State mapping

Himachal Pradesh

Which state? — Jhanjhar

Himachal Pradesh

State mapping

Himachal Pradesh

Which state? — Losar Shona Chuksam

Himachal Pradesh

State mapping

Himachal Pradesh

Nati (Himachal Pradesh)

Holds the Guinness World Record for the largest number of dancers.

Key facts

Himachal Pradesh

Dhaman (Himachal Pradesh)

Performed during Dussehra in the Kullu region.

Key facts

Himachal Pradesh

Rakshasa (Himachal Pradesh)

Demon-mask dance performed to protect crops from evil spirits, in Kinnaur Ghati.

Key facts

Himachal Pradesh

Cholamba (Himachal Pradesh)

One of the oldest dances, performed after killing a tiger.

Key facts

Himachal Pradesh

Kayang Mala (Himachal Pradesh)

Boys and girls dance in a garland-shaped pattern after drinking a rice drink called chhang.

Key facts

Himachal Pradesh

Shand / Shabu (Himachal Pradesh)

Performed in Lahaul, mainly in Buddhist monasteries (gompas), to commemorate the Buddha.

Key facts

Himachal Pradesh

Chapeli (Himachal Pradesh)

Performed in Sirmaur and Chamba - also performed in Uttarakhand.

Key facts

Himachal Pradesh

Chham (Himachal Pradesh)

Performed by Buddhists to ward off evil spirits. 'Chham Chhanak' is danced by Lamas of Lahaul-Spiti as a tribute to Lord Buddha.

Key facts

Himachal Pradesh

Rasa (Himachal Pradesh)

Performed in the Sirmaur district.

Key facts

Himachal Pradesh

Thoda (Himachal Pradesh)

Martial sport-dance combining dance with ARCHERY, traditionally by the Rajput community - descendants of the Kauravas and Pandavas.

Key facts

Himachal Pradesh

Chhatrari (Himachal Pradesh)

Ritual dance of Chhatrari village, Chamba district, at the annual fair for Goddess Shakti; masks, dhol and narsingha.

Key facts

Himachal Pradesh

Chohara (Himachal Pradesh)

Energetic dance of the Mahasu region, performed at village festivals and agricultural celebrations.

Key facts

Himachal Pradesh

Jhanjhar (Himachal Pradesh)

Named after the jhanjhar (ankle bells) worn by the women who perform it.

Key facts

Himachal Pradesh

Name meaning — Loor

'Loor' means girl in the local dialect - a women-only dance by definition.

Name meanings

Haryana

Name meaning — Gugga

Gugga Pir, also called Jahar Peer, is the snake-saint. Devotees carry the 'chhari', a bamboo staff with fans and garlands.

Name meanings

Haryana

Name meaning — Daph

The daph is the frame drum. Named after its instrument.

Name meanings

Haryana

Haryana: name the the falgun block group

  • Phag - Falgun, Feb-March
  • Loor - Bangar region, women only
  • Daph - spring, bountiful harvest

Three dances, one month, all just before Holi. Learn the month, get three answers.

Grouping

Haryana

Which state? — Phag

Haryana

State mapping

Haryana

Which state? — Loor

Haryana

State mapping

Haryana

Which state? — Daph

Haryana

State mapping

Haryana

Haryana: name the men only group

  • Dhamal - Ahir community, traced to the Mahabharata
  • Gugga - in memory of the saint Gugga Pir, with Chhari sticks

Both are male-exclusive, both devotional or mythic.

Grouping

Haryana

Which state? — Dhamal

Haryana  /  Punjab

State mapping

Haryana

Which state? — Gugga

Haryana

State mapping

Haryana

Haryana: name the women's dances group

  • Jhumar - young married girls
  • Khoria - a variety of Jhumar

Paired forms - one is a variety of the other.

Grouping

Haryana

Which state? — Jhumar

Haryana  /  Jharkhand  /  Punjab

State mapping

Haryana

Which state? — Khoria

Haryana

State mapping

Haryana

Haryana: name the theatre, not dance group

  • Saang / Swang - up to five hours
  • Ragini

Long-form drama, outdoors, men in female roles.

Grouping

Haryana

Which state? — Saang / Swang

Haryana

State mapping

Haryana

Which state? — Ragini

Haryana

State mapping

Haryana

Which state? — Sammi

Haryana  /  Punjab

State mapping

Haryana

Saang / Swang (Haryana)

Open-air folk theatre-dance; men dress in female attire to play women's roles. A full performance can run up to five hours. Shared with UP and Rajasthan.

Key facts

Haryana

Dhamal (Haryana)

Performed only by men of the Ahir community. Origin traced back to the Mahabharata.

Key facts

Haryana

Jhumar (Haryana)

Performed by young married girls.

Key facts

Haryana

Manjira (Haryana)

Performed in the Mewat region.

Key facts

Haryana

Phag (Haryana)

Performed in Falgun month (Feb-March) just before Holi; also called Phagun/Phagua.

Key facts

Haryana

Loor (Haryana)

Originates in the Bangar region, celebrated in Falgun just before Holi, exclusively by women.

Key facts

Haryana

Daph (Haryana)

Performed in the spring season to celebrate a bountiful harvest.

Key facts

Haryana

Khoria (Haryana)

A variety of the Jhumar dance.

Key facts

Haryana

Gugga (Haryana)

Male devotional dance in memory of the folk saint Gugga Pir (Jahar Peer). Devotees carry long bamboo sticks decorated with fans and garlands, known as 'Chhari'.

Key facts

Haryana

Name meaning — Rouf versus Dhumal

Rouf has the softer sound and is the women's dance; Dhumal is heavier and is men only. If a statement says women perform Dhumal, it is false.

Name meanings

Jammu & Kashmir

Name meaning — Dhumal

Wattal men plant an 'Alam' - a ceremonial banner - and circle it. Banner plus conical caps equals Dhumal.

Name meanings

Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir: name the women, spring and eid group

  • Rouf - two facing rows, Chakri footwork, Pheran costume
  • Hikat - partners hold hands and spin

Both are women's dances in formation, both in spring.

Grouping

Jammu & Kashmir

Which state? — Rouf

Jammu & Kashmir

State mapping

Jammu & Kashmir

Which state? — Hikat

Jammu & Kashmir

State mapping

Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir: name the men only group

  • Dhumal - Wattal tribe, round the Alam banner, conical caps
  • Kud - at night, for the Lok Devta

Both male-exclusive. This is the single most tested contrast in the state.

Grouping

Jammu & Kashmir

Which state? — Dhumal

Jammu & Kashmir

State mapping

Jammu & Kashmir

Which state? — Kud

Jammu & Kashmir

State mapping

Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir: name the theatre group

  • Bhand Pather
  • Damali

Folk drama rather than pure dance.

Grouping

Jammu & Kashmir

Which state? — Bhand Pather

Jammu & Kashmir

State mapping

Jammu & Kashmir

Which state? — Damali

Jammu & Kashmir

State mapping

Jammu & Kashmir

Which state? — Chakri

Jammu & Kashmir  /  Rajasthan

State mapping

Jammu & Kashmir

Which state? — Bacha Nagma

Jammu & Kashmir

State mapping

Jammu & Kashmir

Rouf (Jammu & Kashmir)

Performed by women standing in two facing rows during spring and at Eid/Ramzan. Its defining feature is the intricate FOOTWORK called 'Chakri'; sung to poetic verses called Rouf-Baith. Costume: an embroidered Pheran with silver jewellery and bangles.

Key facts

Jammu & Kashmir

Bhand Pather (Jammu & Kashmir)

Dance-drama / folk theatre.

Key facts

Jammu & Kashmir

Kud (Jammu & Kashmir)

Performed at night to honour the Lok Devta (local deity).

Key facts

Jammu & Kashmir

Hikat (Jammu & Kashmir)

Performed in the spring season by partners joining each other's hands and spinning.

Key facts

Jammu & Kashmir

Dhumal (Jammu & Kashmir)

Performed only by men of the Watal tribe. Dancers wear long colourful robes and tall conical caps and circle a ceremonial banner called 'Alam' planted in the ground.

Key facts

Jammu & Kashmir

Name meaning — Karam

The kadam tree is worshipped, so Karam and kadam are the same word. Tree dance, Oraon tribe.

Name meanings

Jharkhand

Name meaning — Mardani Jhumar

'Mard' = man. Mardani Jhumar is therefore performed by men; the women's version is Janani Jhumar.

Name meanings

Jharkhand

Jharkhand: name the harvest and the tree group

  • Karam / Karma - kadam tree, Oraon tribe
  • Mundari - Munda harvest
  • Jhumair - Sadan community

All agricultural, all tribe-tagged.

Grouping

Jharkhand

Which state? — Karam / Karma

Jharkhand

State mapping

Jharkhand

Which state? — Mundari

Jharkhand

State mapping

Jharkhand

Which state? — Jhumair

Jharkhand

State mapping

Jharkhand

Jharkhand: name the nagpuri pair group

  • Domkach - marriage
  • Jhumair - harvest

Both labelled Nagpuri folk dances in exam keys.

Grouping

Jharkhand

Jharkhand: name the martial and hunting group

  • Paika - Munda martial, battle formations
  • Chhau Seraikella - masked
  • Hunta - preparing for a hunt

Combat and the chase.

Grouping

Jharkhand

Which state? — Chhau Seraikella

Jharkhand

State mapping

Jharkhand

Which state? — Hunta

Jharkhand

State mapping

Jharkhand

Jharkhand: name the tribal identity group

  • Santhali - Santhal tribe, Dasain in October

Named for the tribe itself.

Grouping

Jharkhand

Which state? — Santhali

Jharkhand  /  West Bengal

State mapping

Jharkhand

Which state? — Adhratiya

Jharkhand

State mapping

Jharkhand

Which state? — Natua

Jharkhand

State mapping

Jharkhand

Which state? — Firkal

Jharkhand

State mapping

Jharkhand

Karam / Karma (Jharkhand)

Agricultural festival dance. The Kadam tree is worshipped. Performed by the Oraon tribe.

Key facts

Jharkhand

Paika (Jharkhand)

Traditional martial dance of the Munda tribe (Sadar community); depicts bravery and battle formations.

Key facts

Jharkhand

Mundari (Jharkhand)

Harvest festival dance of the Munda tribe.

Key facts

Jharkhand

Santhali (Jharkhand)

Also known as Jhika Dassain. Performed in October at the Dasain festival by the Santhal tribe.

Key facts

Jharkhand

Domkach (Jharkhand)

Nagpuri folk dance performed by the bride's or groom's family during marriage ceremonies; lyrics carry social satire.

Key facts

Jharkhand

Jhumair (Jharkhand)

Nagpuri folk dance of the Sadan community, performed at harvest. Mardani Jhumar is performed by MEN; Janani Jhumar by women.

Key facts

Jharkhand

Chhau (Jharkhand)

Martial-art dance in three styles: Seraikella (Jharkhand), Purulia (West Bengal), Mayurbhanj (Odisha).

Key facts

Jharkhand

Hunta (Jharkhand)

Depicts preparation for hunting.

Key facts

Jharkhand

Adhratiya (Jharkhand)

Folk song of the tribal communities, sung around the middle of the night ('adh-raat').

Key facts

Jharkhand

Name meaning — Dollu Kunitha

'Dollu' = drum, 'kunitha' = dance in Kannada. Drum dance. Kuruba shepherds, deity Beereshwara.

Name meanings

Karnataka

Name meaning — Yakshagana

'Yaksha' = celestial being, 'gana' = song. Song of the celestial beings.

Name meanings

Karnataka

Name meaning — Gaarudi Gombe

'Gombe' = doll. Giant walking dolls of bamboo and papier-mache.

Name meanings

Karnataka

Name meaning — Veergase versus Veeranatyam

Both are Veerabhadra dances. Karnataka takes Veergase, Andhra takes Veeranatyam.

Name meanings

Karnataka

Karnataka: name the coastal ritual group

  • Yakshagana - all-night theatre
  • Bhootha Aradhne - spirit worship
  • Nagamandala - two priests as male and female snakes

All from the coastal strip, all involving spirits or the supernatural.

Grouping

Karnataka

Which state? — Yakshagana

Karnataka

State mapping

Karnataka

Which state? — Bhootha Aradhne

Karnataka

State mapping

Karnataka

Which state? — Nagamandala

Karnataka

State mapping

Karnataka

Karnataka: name the shiva devotion group

  • Veergase - Virabhadra, at Dussehra
  • Kamsale - devotees of Mahadeshwara

Both honour a Shiva-linked deity.

Grouping

Karnataka

Which state? — Veergase

Karnataka

State mapping

Karnataka

Which state? — Kamsale

Karnataka

State mapping

Karnataka

Karnataka: name the named after the instrument or prop group

  • Dollu Kunitha - dollu, the drum
  • Kamsale - the brass cymbal
  • Joodu Halagi - the halagi drum
  • Gaarudi Gombe - giant dolls

The object is the name.

Grouping

Karnataka

Which state? — Dollu Kunitha

Karnataka

State mapping

Karnataka

Which state? — Joodu Halagi

Karnataka

State mapping

Karnataka

Which state? — Gaarudi Gombe

Karnataka

State mapping

Karnataka

Karnataka: name the martial group

  • Bolak-aat - Kodagu (Coorg)

Sword dance of the Kodava.

Grouping

Karnataka

Which state? — Bolak-aat

Karnataka

State mapping

Karnataka

Which state? — Karaga

Karnataka

State mapping

Karnataka

Which state? — Suggi Kunitha

Karnataka

State mapping

Karnataka

Yakshagana (Karnataka)

'Song of the celestial beings' (Yaksha = celestial). Coastal and Malnad Karnataka. Combines dance, music, dialogue, costume and stage technique; vibrant costumes, towering headgear and elaborate makeup. Stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas; usually performed from dusk to dawn. Male performers play female roles ('Stree Vesha').

Key facts

Karnataka

Veergase (Karnataka)

Traditionally performed during Dussehra by the Virabhadra community; based on the Shiva-Veerabhadra myth. Swords are carried; accompanied by the Sambal.

Key facts

Karnataka

Dollu Kunitha (Karnataka)

'Dollu' means drum in Kannada. Dynamic drum dance performed by the Kuruba (shepherd) community to worship the deity Beereshwara. Large hollow drums are slung around the neck.

Key facts

Karnataka

Bhootha Aradhne (Karnataka)

Devil/spirit worship in coastal Karnataka; celebrates the link between humans, nature and the divine spirit.

Key facts

Karnataka

Kamsale (Karnataka)

Named after a brass instrument; performed by devotees of God Mahadeshwara.

Key facts

Karnataka

Nagamandala (Karnataka)

Ritual dance by two priests - one enacts a male snake, the other a female snake.

Key facts

Karnataka

Karaga (Karnataka)

Major Bengaluru festival of the Thigala community dedicated to Goddess Draupadi. Note: Karaga is a Karnataka festival, NOT a Rajasthani one.

Key facts

Karnataka

Bolak-aat (Karnataka)

Martial dance of the Kodava community of Kodagu (Coorg); men in traditional Kodava attire dance with swords to mark battlefield victories.

Key facts

Karnataka

Gaarudi Gombe (Karnataka)

'Magical dolls' - dancers wear giant doll costumes of bamboo and papier-mache during festive processions.

Key facts

Karnataka

Joodu Halagi (Karnataka)

Performers beat the round Halagi percussion instrument with sticks while executing acrobatic steps.

Key facts

Karnataka

Name meaning — The -kali suffix

One suffix, six answers. Whenever a Kerala dance ends in 'kali', ask what the first half means: stick, tiger, festival, drum.

Name meanings

Kerala

Name meaning — Mohiniyattam

'Mohini' is Vishnu's enchantress avatar, 'attam' is dance. Dance of the enchantress - so it is female, solo and Lasya.

Name meanings

Kerala

Name meaning — Kathakali

'Katha' = story, 'kali' = play. Story play. Male actors, painted faces, epics only.

Name meanings

Kerala

Kerala: name the the 'kali' family group

  • Kolkali - 'kol' = stick
  • Pulikali - 'puli' = tiger
  • Velakali - 'vela' = temple festival, Nair warriors
  • Thiruvathirakali - Thiruvathira day
  • Thappukali - the thappu drum
  • Margam Kali - Syrian Christian

'Kali' means play or dance in Malayalam. Learn the prefix and six names unlock at once.

Grouping

Kerala

Which state? — Kolkali

Kerala  /  Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

State mapping

Kerala

Which state? — Pulikali

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Which state? — Velakali

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Which state? — Thiruvathirakali

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Which state? — Thappukali

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Which state? — Margam Kali

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Kerala: name the ritual possession group

  • Theyyam / Kaliyattam - North Malabar sacred groves
  • Theeyattu - Bhadrakali and Darika

The dancer becomes the deity.

Grouping

Kerala

Which state? — Theyyam / Kaliyattam

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Which state? — Theeyattu

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Kerala: name the temple theatre group

  • Koodiyattam - Sanskrit theatre, UNESCO
  • Chakyar Koothu - monologue
  • Ottamthullal - by Kunchan Nambiar

Sanskrit-derived, temple-bound, one named founder each.

Grouping

Kerala

Which state? — Koodiyattam

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Which state? — Chakyar Koothu

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Which state? — Ottamthullal

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Kerala: name the community-specific group

  • Oppana - Mappila Muslim weddings
  • Kakkarissi Natakam - Kakkala community, satire

Each belongs to one named community.

Grouping

Kerala

Which state? — Oppana

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Which state? — Kakkarissi Natakam

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Which state? — Kaniyattam

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Which state? — Duffmuttu

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Which state? — Parichamuttukali

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Which state? — Kathakali

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Which state? — Mohiniyattam

Kerala

State mapping

Kerala

Ottamthullal (Kerala)

Introduced by Kunchan Nambiar; solo satirical dance-narrative.

Key facts

Kerala

Kaliyattam / Theyyam (Kerala)

Ritual dance of the sacred groves of the North Malabar coast; the dancer is believed to transform into a deity.

Key facts

Kerala

Koodiyattam (Kerala)

Sanskrit theatre art; on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Key facts

Kerala

Kolkali (Kerala)

Performers move in a circle striking sticks.

Key facts

Kerala

Chakyar Koothu (Kerala)

Monologue dance-drama performed in temples, narrating the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Key facts

Kerala

Thiruvathirakali (Kerala)

Also called Kaikottikali. Graceful circular group dance performed by women at Onam and on Thiruvathira (Shivratri) day, for the long life of their husbands. Costume: Mundu and Vesthi with Kerala ornaments. Rhythm comes from claps and the Ilathalam (cymbals).

Key facts

Kerala

Oppana (Kerala)

Social entertainment of the Mappila (Muslim) community, performed by women at weddings to entertain the bride.

Key facts

Kerala

Pulikali (Kerala)

'Play of the tigers'. Performers paint their bodies in yellow, red and black stripes and dance to heavy drum beats during Onam.

Key facts

Kerala

Velakali (Kerala)

Martial dance of the Nair warrior community using wooden swords and shields, showcased at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram.

Key facts

Kerala

Kakkarissi Natakam (Kerala)

Satirical dance-drama of the Kakkala community, using humour to comment on social issues.

Key facts

Kerala

Margam Kali (Kerala)

Round dance of the Syrian Christian community of Kerala.

Key facts

Kerala

Theeyattu (Kerala)

Ritual solo dance-drama of the Bhadrakali-Darika myth, performed in village temples (Kavus).

Key facts

Kerala

Name meaning — Matki

'Matki' is the pot itself. Malwa women, pot on the head.

Name meanings

Madhya Pradesh

Name meaning — Jawara

Jawara is the basket of germinated jowar seedlings carried on the head - a harvest offering, so a harvest dance.

Name meanings

Madhya Pradesh

Name meaning — Bhagoria

Named after the Bhagoria haat, the pre-Holi market fair in Jhabua where couples elope. Bhil tribe.

Name meanings

Madhya Pradesh

Name meaning — Tertali versus Terah Taali

Madhya Pradesh has Tertali by the Kamar tribe. Rajasthan has Terah Taali by the Kamad tribe. One letter apart - store them side by side, never separately.

Name meanings

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh: name the malwa region group

  • Matki - pot on the head
  • Ada - a variation of Matki
  • Phulpati - unmarried girls
  • Maach - folk theatre

Four dances, one region. Fix the region and they come as a block.

Grouping

Madhya Pradesh

Which state? — Matki

Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Madhya Pradesh

Which state? — Ada

Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Madhya Pradesh

Which state? — Phulpati

Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Madhya Pradesh

Which state? — Maach

Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh: name the bundelkhand region group

  • Badhai - births and weddings
  • Rai - Bedni community
  • Naurata - unmarried girls at Navratri
  • Jawara - successful harvest

The second regional block. Two are for celebration, two are seasonal.

Grouping

Madhya Pradesh

Which state? — Badhai

Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Madhya Pradesh

Which state? — Rai

Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Madhya Pradesh

Which state? — Naurata

Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Madhya Pradesh

Which state? — Jawara

Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh: name the tribal group

  • Bhagoria - Bhil, Jhabua, before Holi
  • Kaksar - Muria and Abujhmaria
  • Ahirai - Bharia tribe
  • Tertali - Kamar tribe

Each carries a tribe name in the key.

Grouping

Madhya Pradesh

Which state? — Bhagoria

Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Madhya Pradesh

Which state? — Ahirai

Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Madhya Pradesh

Which state? — Tertali

Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Madhya Pradesh

Which state? — Grida

Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Madhya Pradesh

Which state? — Lehangi

Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Madhya Pradesh

Which state? — Mallakhamba

Madhya Pradesh

State mapping

Madhya Pradesh

Jawara (Madhya Pradesh)

Performed to celebrate a successful harvest, in Bundelkhand.

Key facts

Madhya Pradesh

Matki (Madhya Pradesh)

Performed in the Malwa region with a pot balanced on the head.

Key facts

Madhya Pradesh

Phulpati (Madhya Pradesh)

Performed in the Malwa region by unmarried girls.

Key facts

Madhya Pradesh

Tertali (Madhya Pradesh)

Performed by the Kamar tribe; thirteen manjeeras tied to the body.

Key facts

Madhya Pradesh

Saila (Madhya Pradesh)

Performed at Dussehra.

Key facts

Madhya Pradesh

Ada (Madhya Pradesh)

A variation of the Matki dance in the Malwa region.

Key facts

Madhya Pradesh

Bhagoria (Madhya Pradesh)

Performed in Jhabua district by the Bhil tribe before Holi.

Key facts

Madhya Pradesh

Kaksar (Madhya Pradesh)

Performed by the Muria / Abujhmaria tribe across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh (Bastar).

Key facts

Madhya Pradesh

Maach (Madhya Pradesh)

Folk theatre form of the Malwa region.

Key facts

Madhya Pradesh

Badhai (Madhya Pradesh)

Bundelkhand region; performed on joyful occasions - births, weddings, festivals - to the Dholak and Nagada.

Key facts

Madhya Pradesh

Rai (Madhya Pradesh)

Bundelkhand; performed by the Bedni community at weddings and festivals, known for fast tempo, with Dholak and Nagada.

Key facts

Madhya Pradesh

Naurata (Madhya Pradesh)

Performed by unmarried girls of Bundelkhand during the nine-day Navratri festival, seeking a good match.

Key facts

Madhya Pradesh

Ahirai (Madhya Pradesh)

Tribal dance of the Bharia tribe, popular around Gwalior and Patalkot.

Key facts

Madhya Pradesh

Name meaning — Thang-Ta

'Thang' = sword, 'Ta' = spear. The name is the weapon list.

Name meanings

Manipur

Name meaning — Pung Cholom

'Pung' is the barrel drum. Pung plus cholom equals drum dance.

Name meanings

Manipur

Manipur: name the the 'cholom' family group

  • Pung Cholom - the pung drum, also called Mridanga kirtan
  • Dhol Cholom - at Holi

'Cholom' means dance in Manipuri. Any -cholom is a Manipuri drum dance.

Grouping

Manipur

Which state? — Pung Cholom

Manipur

State mapping

Manipur

Which state? — Dhol Cholom

Manipur

State mapping

Manipur

Manipur: name the meitei ritual group

  • Lai Haraoba - pleasing the gods
  • Khamba Thoibi - the Khamba and Thoibi legend

Pre-Vaishnavite, indigenous.

Grouping

Manipur

Which state? — Lai Haraoba

Manipur

State mapping

Manipur

Which state? — Khamba Thoibi

Manipur

State mapping

Manipur

Manipur: name the vaishnavite group

  • Jagoi / Ras Leela
  • Nupa Pala
  • Sankirtana - UNESCO listed

Post-Bhakti, Krishna-centred.

Grouping

Manipur

Which state? — Jagoi / Ras Leela

Manipur

State mapping

Manipur

Which state? — Nupa Pala

Manipur

State mapping

Manipur

Which state? — Sankirtana

Manipur

State mapping

Manipur

Manipur: name the martial group

  • Thang-Ta, also called Sarit Sarak

Weapon-based.

Grouping

Manipur

Which state? — Thang-Ta, also called Sarit Sarak

Manipur

State mapping

Manipur

Which state? — Maibi

Manipur

State mapping

Manipur

Which state? — Khongjom Parva

Manipur

State mapping

Manipur

Which state? — Manipuri

Manipur

State mapping

Manipur

Thang-Ta (Manipur)

Literally 'sword and spear'. Ancient martial art and dance form of the Meitei people, using real weaponry to depict combat and valour. Also called Sarit Sarak.

Key facts

Manipur

Lai Haraoba (Manipur)

Performed by the Meitei tribe; pre-Vaishnavite ritual festival 'pleasing of the gods'.

Key facts

Manipur

Dhol Cholom (Manipur)

Drum dance performed during Holi (Yaoshang).

Key facts

Manipur

Pung Cholom (Manipur)

Also known as Mridanga kirtan or Dhumal; dancers play the pung while executing acrobatic movements.

Key facts

Manipur

Jagoi (Manipur)

Also known as Manipuri Raasleela.

Key facts

Manipur

Khamba Thoibi (Manipur)

Performed by the Meitei tribe; based on the legend of Khamba and Thoibi.

Key facts

Manipur

Nupa Pala (Manipur)

Male cymbal-and-drum ensemble that precedes the Raas Leela.

Key facts

Manipur

Sankirtana (Manipur)

Ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur - inscribed on the UNESCO ICH list.

Key facts

Manipur

Name meaning — The 'shad' prefix

'Shad' means dance in Khasi. Shad Suk Mynsiem, Shad Pliang, Shad Sukra - if it starts with Shad, it is Khasi.

Name meanings

Meghalaya

Name meaning — Wangala

Garo and Wangala both carry a hard G-sound; one hundred drums, one tribe.

Name meanings

Meghalaya

Meghalaya: name the khasi group

  • Nongkrem
  • Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem - Dance of the Joyful Heart, April
  • Shad Pliang - the plate dance
  • Shikaar Nritya - the hunting dance

Meghalaya splits perfectly into three tribes. Get the tribe, get the dance.

Grouping

Meghalaya

Which state? — Nongkrem

Meghalaya

State mapping

Meghalaya

Which state? — Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem

Meghalaya

State mapping

Meghalaya

Which state? — Shad Pliang

Meghalaya

State mapping

Meghalaya

Meghalaya: name the garo group

  • Wangala - Festival of Hundred Drums

One tribe, one famous dance.

Grouping

Meghalaya

Which state? — Wangala

Meghalaya  /  Tripura

State mapping

Meghalaya

Meghalaya: name the jaintia / pnar group

  • Behdeinkhalam - driving out plague
  • Chad Laho - thanksgiving after harvest

The third tribe.

Grouping

Meghalaya

Which state? — Behdeinkhalam

Meghalaya

State mapping

Meghalaya

Which state? — Chad Laho

Meghalaya

State mapping

Meghalaya

Which state? — Doregata

Meghalaya

State mapping

Meghalaya

Nongkrem (Meghalaya)

Performed by the Khasi tribe; thanksgiving harvest festival.

Key facts

Meghalaya

Wangala (Meghalaya)

Performed by the Garo tribe. Known as the 'Festival of Hundred Drums'.

Key facts

Meghalaya

Behdeinkhalam (Meghalaya)

Performed by the Jaintia tribe to drive away plague and evil spirits.

Key facts

Meghalaya

Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem (Meghalaya)

'Dance of the Joyful Heart'. Annual thanksgiving harvest festival of the Khasi community, held in April. Unmarried men and women dance to drums and pipes.

Key facts

Meghalaya

Chad Laho (Meghalaya)

Thanksgiving festival dance of the Pnar (Jaintia) people after harvest; a woman is flanked by two men with arms linked.

Key facts

Meghalaya

Shad Pliang (Meghalaya)

The 'plate dance' of the Khasi community - dancers balance earthen plates or brass vessels while moving.

Key facts

Meghalaya

Shikaar Nritya (Meghalaya)

Hunting dance of the Khasi community, depicting tracking and the hunt with bows, arrows and spears.

Key facts

Meghalaya

Name meaning — Khuallam

'Khual' = guest. Guest dance. The suffix does the rest.

Name meanings

Mizoram

Name meaning — Cheraw

Men clap the bamboos, women step between them. If the question says crossed bamboo staves and 'exclusively', it is Mizoram, not Nagaland's Kuki bamboo dance.

Name meanings

Mizoram

Mizoram: name the the '-lam' family group

  • Khuallam - 'khual' = guest, so the dance of guests
  • Chailam - at Chapchar Kut
  • Chheihlam - sitting in a circle after work
  • Tlanglam - general community dance
  • Zangtalam - Paite tribe
  • Sarlamkai

'Lam' means dance in Mizo. Six names, one suffix. This is the single highest-yield chunk in the North East.

Grouping

Mizoram

Which state? — Khuallam

Mizoram

State mapping

Mizoram

Which state? — Chailam

Mizoram

State mapping

Mizoram

Which state? — Chheihlam

Mizoram

State mapping

Mizoram

Which state? — Tlanglam

Mizoram

State mapping

Mizoram

Which state? — Zangtalam

Mizoram

State mapping

Mizoram

Which state? — Sarlamkai

Mizoram

State mapping

Mizoram

Mizoram: name the named for the occasion group

  • So Lakia - victory in war, Mara people
  • Chawng Laizawn - mourning a husband, or harvest, Pawi

The occasion is the answer.

Grouping

Mizoram

Which state? — So Lakia

Mizoram

State mapping

Mizoram

Which state? — Chawng Laizawn

Mizoram

State mapping

Mizoram

Mizoram: name the the signature dance group

  • Cheraw - the bamboo dance, at Chapchar Kut

Not a -lam name, and the one always asked.

Grouping

Mizoram

Which state? — Cheraw

Mizoram  /  Tripura

State mapping

Mizoram

Which state? — Inbuan

Mizoram

State mapping

Mizoram

Cheraw (Mizoram)

The Bamboo Dance. Men hold long bamboo staves horizontally and vertically, clapping them in rhythm while women step in and out of the shifting grids. Performed during Chapchar Kut. Mizoram's signature dance.

Key facts

Mizoram

Khuallam (Mizoram)

The 'dance of guests', performed to welcome visitors.

Key facts

Mizoram

Chailam (Mizoram)

Performed during Chapchar Kut.

Key facts

Mizoram

Zangtalam (Mizoram)

Performed by the Paite tribe.

Key facts

Mizoram

Tlanglam (Mizoram)

Widely performed at community gatherings and festivals; graceful hand and foot movements.

Key facts

Mizoram

So Lakia (Mizoram)

Dance of the Mara people, originally performed to celebrate victory in war or a successful hunt.

Key facts

Mizoram

Chawng Laizawn (Mizoram)

Performed by the Pawi community on two contrasting occasions - to mourn the death of a husband, and to celebrate a bountiful harvest.

Key facts

Mizoram

Chheih Lam (Mizoram)

Joyful dance performed sitting in a circle to the rhythm of a bamboo drum and horn, after a hard day's work.

Key facts

Mizoram

Inbuan (Mizoram)

Traditional wrestling / martial form of Mizoram.

Key facts

Mizoram

Name meaning — Lavani

From 'lavanya' = beauty. Beauty, the nine-yard Nauvari sari, and the Dholki - never the Mridangam.

Name meanings

Maharashtra

Name meaning — Lezim

The lezim is the instrument itself: a wooden stick strung with jingling cymbals.

Name meanings

Maharashtra

Name meaning — Povada

A povada is a ballad of valour, so it can only be about Shivaji.

Name meanings

Maharashtra

Maharashtra: name the occupation dances group

  • Koli - fisherfolk, rowing and netting
  • Dhangari Gaja - Sholapur shepherds

The job is the dance.

Grouping

Maharashtra

Which state? — Koli

Maharashtra

State mapping

Maharashtra

Which state? — Dhangari Gaja

Maharashtra

State mapping

Maharashtra

Maharashtra: name the stage and ballad group

  • Tamasha - at Shimga, Kolhati troupes
  • Lavani - to the Dholki, Nauvari sari
  • Povada - the ballad of Shivaji

Maharashtra's theatre tradition, all three linked.

Grouping

Maharashtra

Which state? — Tamasha

Maharashtra

State mapping

Maharashtra

Which state? — Lavani

Maharashtra

State mapping

Maharashtra

Which state? — Povada

Maharashtra

State mapping

Maharashtra

Maharashtra: name the athletic and martial group

  • Lezim - at Ganeshotsav
  • Mardani Khel - armed martial art

Physical rather than narrative.

Grouping

Maharashtra

Which state? — Lezim

Maharashtra

State mapping

Maharashtra

Which state? — Mardani Khel

Maharashtra

State mapping

Maharashtra

Maharashtra: name the tribal and regional group

  • Gafa - Vidarbha, Gond tribe
  • Mouni
  • Dindi

Region-tagged.

Grouping

Maharashtra

Which state? — Gafa

Maharashtra

State mapping

Maharashtra

Which state? — Mouni

Maharashtra

State mapping

Maharashtra

Which state? — Dindi

Maharashtra

State mapping

Maharashtra

Which state? — Bohada

Maharashtra

State mapping

Maharashtra

Koli (Maharashtra)

Performed by the fisherman community; movements depict the rowing of boats and the catching of fish.

Key facts

Maharashtra

Povadas (Maharashtra)

Ballad describing the historical events in the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Key facts

Maharashtra

Lavani (Maharashtra)

Combination of dance and song performed to the Dholki. Fast tempo, powerful rhythm, nine-yard Nauvari sari, expressive lyrics. Performed by women.

Key facts

Maharashtra

Lezim (Maharashtra)

Acrobatic dance with calisthenic moves, performed during Ganeshotsav using the lezim - a wooden stick fitted with jingling metal cymbals.

Key facts

Maharashtra

Tamasha (Maharashtra)

Believed to derive from the Sanskrit dramas Prahasana and Bhana. Marathi folk theatre staged during the Shimga (Holi) festival; the Kolhati and Mahar communities are historically linked to Tamasha troupes.

Key facts

Maharashtra

Gafa (Maharashtra)

Performed in the Vidarbha region by the Gond tribe.

Key facts

Maharashtra

Dhangari Gaja (Maharashtra)

Performed by the shepherds of Sholapur district.

Key facts

Maharashtra

Mardani Khel (Maharashtra)

Armed martial art of Maharashtra.

Key facts

Maharashtra

Name meaning — Nagaland method

Do not learn the dance names. Learn the tribe list - Konyak, Ao, Sema, Phom, Zeliang, Kuki, Changai - and hang one dance on each. The question almost always gives you the tribe.

Name meanings

Nagaland

Name meaning — Monyoasho

Monyu is the festival, Monyoasho is the dance. Same first syllable, Phom tribe.

Name meanings

Nagaland

Nagaland: name the warrior, at hornbill group

  • Rengma - warrior dance
  • Aaluyattu - Konyak tribe

Nagaland is tribe-tagged throughout. The Hornbill festival, 1-10 December, is the umbrella occasion.

Grouping

Nagaland

Which state? — Rengma

Nagaland

State mapping

Nagaland

Which state? — Aaluyattu

Nagaland

State mapping

Nagaland

Nagaland: name the named after a creature group

  • Butterfly dance - Zeliang / Zeliangrong
  • Bamboo dance - Kuki tribe

Animal-named, tribe-owned.

Grouping

Nagaland

Which state? — Butterfly dance

Nagaland

State mapping

Nagaland

Which state? — Bamboo dance

Nagaland

State mapping

Nagaland

Nagaland: name the harvest and season group

  • Leshalaptu - Ao tribe
  • Khupielilie - Sema (Sumi) women
  • Monyoasho - Phom tribe, Monyu festival
  • Modse - Ao tribe
  • Changai - Changai tribe

Sorted by tribe.

Grouping

Nagaland

Which state? — Leshalaptu

Nagaland

State mapping

Nagaland

Which state? — Khupielilie

Nagaland

State mapping

Nagaland

Which state? — Monyoasho

Nagaland

State mapping

Nagaland

Which state? — Modse

Nagaland

State mapping

Nagaland

Which state? — Changai

Nagaland

State mapping

Nagaland

Which state? — Kuki dance

Nagaland

State mapping

Nagaland

Which state? — Shon

Nagaland

State mapping

Nagaland

Rengma (Nagaland)

Warrior dance performed during the Hornbill festival (1-10 December).

Key facts

Nagaland

Aaluyattu (Nagaland)

Performed by the Konyak tribe.

Key facts

Nagaland

Bamboo dance (Nagaland)

Performed by the Kuki tribe.

Key facts

Nagaland

Changai (Nagaland)

Performed by the Changai tribe.

Key facts

Nagaland

Butterfly dance (Nagaland)

Performed by the Zeliang (Zeliangrong) tribe.

Key facts

Nagaland

Modse (Nagaland)

Performed by the Ao tribe.

Key facts

Nagaland

Monyoasho (Nagaland)

Performed by the Phom Naga tribe during the Monyu festival, marking the end of winter and arrival of summer.

Key facts

Nagaland

Khupielilie (Nagaland)

Performed by women of the Sema (Sumi) Naga tribe at agricultural and community festivals.

Key facts

Nagaland

Leshalaptu (Nagaland)

Traditional dance of the Ao Naga tribe, performed at harvest festivals.

Key facts

Nagaland

Name meaning — Gotipua

'Goti pua' = single boy. The name tells you the performer, and therefore that it precedes Odissi.

Name meanings

Odisha

Name meaning — Ranapa

'Rana' = war. A war dance on stilts, from Ganjam.

Name meanings

Odisha

Name meaning — Ghumura

Named after the ghumura, the earthen pot drum tied to the chest. Kalahandi.

Name meanings

Odisha

Odisha: name the ganjam district group

  • Danda Nata
  • Bhaga Nacha - the tiger dance
  • Ranapa - on stilts

Three dances, one district. District is a strong retrieval cue in Odisha questions.

Grouping

Odisha

Which state? — Danda Nata

Odisha

State mapping

Odisha

Which state? — Bhaga Nacha

Odisha

State mapping

Odisha

Which state? — Ranapa

Odisha

State mapping

Odisha

Odisha: name the krishna and jagannath group

  • Gotipua - boys dressed as women, precursor to Odissi
  • Ranapa - dedicated to Krishna

Temple-facing.

Grouping

Odisha

Which state? — Gotipua

Odisha

State mapping

Odisha

Odisha: name the district-tagged elsewhere group

  • Ghumura - Kalahandi
  • Dalkhai - Sambalpur
  • Chhau - Mayurbhanj, the maskless style

Same trick, different districts.

Grouping

Odisha

Which state? — Ghumura

Odisha

State mapping

Odisha

Which state? — Dalkhai

Odisha

State mapping

Odisha

Which state? — Chhau

Jharkhand  /  Odisha

State mapping

Odisha

Odisha: name the martial group

  • Paika Nritya - conch, sparring, acrobatics, victory shout

Battle sequences.

Grouping

Odisha

Which state? — Paika Nritya

Odisha

State mapping

Odisha

Which state? — Sambalpuri

Odisha

State mapping

Odisha

Which state? — Odissi

Odisha

State mapping

Odisha

Gotipua (Odisha)

Performed by young boys who dress as women to praise Jagannath and Krishna. Acrobatic postures; the direct precursor of classical Odissi. 'Gotipua' means 'single boy'.

Key facts

Odisha

Dalkhai (Odisha)

Performed during major festivals in the Sambalpur region by young women - at Dussehra, Bhaijiuntia and Phagun Puni, accompanied by male drummers.

Key facts

Odisha

Danda Nata (Odisha)

Performed in the Ganjam district.

Key facts

Odisha

Ghumura (Odisha)

Performed in Kalahandi district.

Key facts

Odisha

Bhaga Nacha (Odisha)

Also known as the Tiger dance, performed in the Ganjam district.

Key facts

Odisha

Ranapa (Odisha)

Martial stilt dance of Ganjam district, dedicated to Lord Krishna. Dancers perform on bamboo stilts to drums and pipes.

Key facts

Odisha

Chhau (Odisha)

Mayurbhanj Chhau uses NO masks - unlike Seraikella (Jharkhand) and Purulia (West Bengal).

Key facts

Odisha

Paika Nritya (Odisha)

Martial sequence mirroring a battle in order: 1) blowing the war conch, 2) shield-sword sparring, 3) acrobatics, 4) victory shout.

Key facts

Odisha

Sambalpuri (Odisha)

Rhythmic dance of western Odisha; performed in Sambalpuri handloom sarees (Bandhakala).

Key facts

Odisha

Name meaning — Ghoomar

'Ghoom' = to twirl. The name is the step. Ranked 4th in a global list in 2013, and NOT on the UNESCO list.

Name meanings

Rajasthan

Name meaning — Kalbelia

'Kal' carries the sense of black - black swirling skirts, cobra movements, Pungi accompaniment. UNESCO 2010.

Name meanings

Rajasthan

Name meaning — Terah Taali

'Terah' = thirteen. Thirteen cymbals tied to the body, struck while seated. Women of the Kamad tribe.

Name meanings

Rajasthan

Name meaning — Chari

'Chari' = pot. Gurjar women with a lit pot on the head.

Name meanings

Rajasthan

Rajasthan: name the goddess worship by women group

  • Ghoomar - Goddess Saraswati, Bhil origin
  • Gangaur - Goddess Parvati (Gauri)
  • Chari - Gurjar women, lit pot on the head

All three are women in a circle honouring a goddess.

Grouping

Rajasthan

Which state? — Ghoomar

Rajasthan

State mapping

Rajasthan

Which state? — Gangaur

Rajasthan

State mapping

Rajasthan

Which state? — Chari

Rajasthan

State mapping

Rajasthan

Rajasthan: name the nomadic tribes group

  • Kalbelia - Kalbelia snake-charmers, UNESCO 2010
  • Chakri - Kanjar tribe, Hadoti region

Both tribe-named, both spinning skirt dances - and the pair most confused.

Grouping

Rajasthan

Which state? — Kalbelia

Rajasthan

State mapping

Rajasthan

Rajasthan: name the seated and percussive group

  • Terah Taali - Kamad tribe, 13 manjeeras, for Baba Ramdev

Unusual: performed sitting down.

Grouping

Rajasthan

Which state? — Terah Taali

Rajasthan

State mapping

Rajasthan

Rajasthan: name the folk drama group

  • Khayal - Bhawai tribe
  • Bhavai
  • Kachhi Ghodi - dummy horse

Theatre rather than pure dance.

Grouping

Rajasthan

Which state? — Khayal

Rajasthan

State mapping

Rajasthan

Which state? — Kachhi Ghodi

Rajasthan

State mapping

Rajasthan

Which state? — Walar

Rajasthan

State mapping

Rajasthan

Which state? — Drum dance

Rajasthan

State mapping

Rajasthan

Which state? — Gair

Rajasthan

State mapping

Rajasthan

Gangaur (Rajasthan)

Performed to honour Goddess Parvati (Mata Gauri, Lord Shiva's wife).

Key facts

Rajasthan

Kalbelia (Rajasthan)

UNESCO-recognised dance of the Kalbelia (snake charmer) tribe. Inscribed on the UNESCO ICH list in 2010. Famous exponent: Gulabo Sapera. Women wear flowing black skirts with silver ribbons and embroidery, mimicking a serpent; the Pungi accompanies. Songs and dances are an ORAL tradition, not documented.

Key facts

Rajasthan

Ghoomar (Rajasthan)

Performed by the Bhil tribe for the worship of Goddess Saraswati, later adopted by the Rajputs. Named after 'ghoom', the swirling movement of the layered ghagra. Ranked 4th in a global 'Top 10 Most Amazing Local Dances' list in 2013. NOT on the UNESCO list.

Key facts

Rajasthan

Terah Taali (Rajasthan)

Performed by the Kamad tribe in honour of Baba Ramdev. Women sit on the ground and strike THIRTEEN manjeeras (cymbals) tied to different parts of the body.

Key facts

Rajasthan

Chari (Rajasthan)

Female group dance performed by Gurjars, with a lit pot balanced on the head.

Key facts

Rajasthan

Khayal (Rajasthan)

Performed by the Bhawai tribe; folk drama form.

Key facts

Rajasthan

Chakri (Rajasthan)

Performed by the women of the Kanjar tribe in the Hadoti region (Kota, Bundi); brightly coloured circular skirts spin like a wheel (chakra).

Key facts

Rajasthan

Name meaning — Singhi Chham

'Singhi' = lion. The snow lion is the emblem of Kanchenjunga, so Singhi Chham is also called the Kanchenjunga dance. Bhutia tribe.

Name meanings

Sikkim

Name meaning — Sikkim's three communities

Lepcha, Bhutia, Nepali. Sort every Sikkim dance into one of the three before you try to recall its name.

Name meanings

Sikkim

Sikkim: name the lepcha, celebrating nature group

  • Chu-Faat - dedicated to Kanchenjunga, at Pang Lhabsol
  • Zo Mal Lok - also called the Yak dance
  • Sikmari - beauty of nature

The Lepcha are Sikkim's indigenous people, so their dances face the mountain and the land.

Grouping

Sikkim

Which state? — Chu-Faat

Sikkim

State mapping

Sikkim

Which state? — Zo Mal Lok

Sikkim

State mapping

Sikkim

Which state? — Sikmari

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands  /  Sikkim

State mapping

Sikkim

Sikkim: name the bhutia, buddhist group

  • Singhi Chham - the snow lion, Pang Lhabsol
  • Kagyed - before the Tibetan New Year
  • Yakchham - at Losar

Monastery and mask dances.

Grouping

Sikkim

Which state? — Singhi Chham

Sikkim

State mapping

Sikkim

Which state? — Kagyed

Sikkim

State mapping

Sikkim

Which state? — Yakchham

Sikkim

State mapping

Sikkim

Sikkim: name the nepali-origin group

  • Maruni - Magar tribe
  • Ghantu

The third community of Sikkim.

Grouping

Sikkim

Which state? — Maruni

Sikkim

State mapping

Sikkim

Which state? — Ghantu

Sikkim

State mapping

Sikkim

Which state? — Tashi Yangku

Sikkim

State mapping

Sikkim

Which state? — Denzong Gnenha

Sikkim

State mapping

Sikkim

Chu-Faat (Sikkim)

Ritual dance of the Lepcha tribe dedicated to Mount Kanchenjunga, performed during the Pang Lhabsol festival.

Key facts

Sikkim

Zo Mal Lok (Sikkim)

Performed by the Lepcha tribe to celebrate the beauty of nature; also known as the Yak dance.

Key facts

Sikkim

Sikmari (Sikkim)

Performed by the Lepcha tribe to celebrate the beauty of nature.

Key facts

Sikkim

Yakchham (Sikkim)

Performed during festivals to honour the Yak, especially during the Losar festival.

Key facts

Sikkim

Maruni (Sikkim)

Nepalese folk dance performed by the Magar tribe.

Key facts

Sikkim

Singhi Chham (Sikkim)

The Snow Lion dance, also called the Kanchenjunga dance, performed by the Bhutia tribe during the Pang Lhabsol festival. Dancers wear elaborate lion costumes.

Key facts

Sikkim

Kagyed (Sikkim)

Monastic mask dance performed before the Tibetan New Year to burn away evil forces.

Key facts

Sikkim

Name meaning — The -attam rule

Translate the first half and you have described the dance. This one rule answers most Tamil Nadu questions without memorising anything else.

Name meanings

Tamil Nadu

Name meaning — Karakattam

'Karakam' = decorated pot, danced for the rain goddess Mariamman.

Name meanings

Tamil Nadu

Name meaning — Kavadi Attam

'Kavadi' = burden. Devotees carry the burden for Murugan at Thaipusam.

Name meanings

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu: name the the '-attam' family group

  • Kolattam - 'kol' = stick
  • Karakattam - 'karakam' = pot
  • Kudirai Attam - 'kudirai' = horse
  • Bommalattam - 'bommai' = doll, puppets
  • Mayilattam - 'mayil' = peacock
  • Kavadi Attam - 'kavadi' = burden
  • Silambattam - the silambam staff
  • Oyilattam - Madurai region
  • Devarattam - dance of the gods

'Attam' means dance in Tamil. Nine names collapse into one rule, and the first half always names the prop.

Grouping

Tamil Nadu

Which state? — Karakattam

Tamil Nadu

State mapping

Tamil Nadu

Which state? — Kudirai Attam

Tamil Nadu

State mapping

Tamil Nadu

Which state? — Bommalattam

Tamil Nadu

State mapping

Tamil Nadu

Which state? — Mayilattam

Tamil Nadu

State mapping

Tamil Nadu

Which state? — Kavadi Attam

Tamil Nadu

State mapping

Tamil Nadu

Which state? — Silambattam

Tamil Nadu

State mapping

Tamil Nadu

Which state? — Oyilattam

Tamil Nadu

State mapping

Tamil Nadu

Which state? — Devarattam

Tamil Nadu

State mapping

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu: name the women's dances group

  • Kummi - Pongal, rhythm from clapping alone

Both circular, both without heavy instruments.

Grouping

Tamil Nadu

Which state? — Kummi

Tamil Nadu

State mapping

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu: name the theatre group

  • Theru Koothu - street theatre, at night
  • Bhagavata Mela - Melattur village

Narrative forms.

Grouping

Tamil Nadu

Which state? — Theru Koothu

Tamil Nadu

State mapping

Tamil Nadu

Which state? — Bhagavata Mela

Tamil Nadu

State mapping

Tamil Nadu

Which state? — Parai Attam

Tamil Nadu

State mapping

Tamil Nadu

Which state? — Bharatanatyam

Tamil Nadu

State mapping

Tamil Nadu

Kolattam (Tamil Nadu)

Stick dance performed by women.

Key facts

Tamil Nadu

Silambattam (Tamil Nadu)

Martial dance with the silambam staff.

Key facts

Tamil Nadu

Oyilattam (Tamil Nadu)

Performed in the Madurai region.

Key facts

Tamil Nadu

Devarattam (Tamil Nadu)

Known as the Dance of the Gods.

Key facts

Tamil Nadu

Kudirai Attam (Tamil Nadu)

Also known as Poikkal Kuthirai Attam - the 'false horse dance'. Dancers wear a dummy horse figure around the waist and dance on wooden legs. Also called Puravi Aattam.

Key facts

Tamil Nadu

Kummi (Tamil Nadu)

Ancient dance performed by women during the Pongal festival. Dancers stand in a circle and clap rhythmically while singing - the clapping itself provides the rhythm, with no instruments.

Key facts

Tamil Nadu

Kavadi Attam (Tamil Nadu)

Burden dance in which devotees carry Kavadis for Lord Murugan (God of War), especially at Thaipusam.

Key facts

Tamil Nadu

Karakattam (Tamil Nadu)

Ancient folk dance in praise of the rain goddess Mariamman; a decorated pot (Karakam) is balanced on the head.

Key facts

Tamil Nadu

Bommalattam (Tamil Nadu)

Traditional string-and-rod puppet show; one of India's oldest puppetry forms, depicting the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Key facts

Tamil Nadu

Theru Koothu (Tamil Nadu)

Literally 'Street Theatre'. Night-time open-air folk theatre performed in Panguni and Aadi, bringing epic stories to life.

Key facts

Tamil Nadu

Bhagavata Mela (Tamil Nadu)

Classical dance-drama tradition of Melattur village, sharing the grammar of Bharatanatyam.

Key facts

Tamil Nadu

Name meaning — Perini

A warrior dance of the Kakatiya court at Warangal. If an option credits the Cholas, it is wrong - the Cholas are Tamil Nadu.

Name meanings

Telangana

Name meaning — Telangana versus Andhra

When both appear, look for the geography: Araku valley and West Godavari mean Andhra; Adilabad and Warangal mean Telangana.

Name meanings

Telangana

Telangana: name the gond and the dandari cycle group

  • Gusadi - Gond tribe, part of Dandari, at Dussehra

Gusadi sits inside a larger Gond festival, so store it with Dandari and Dussehra.

Grouping

Telangana

Which state? — Gusadi

Telangana

State mapping

Telangana

Telangana: name the shared with andhra group

  • Lambadi - Banjara tribe
  • Dhimsa - Porja tribe
  • Bonalu - Goddess Mahakali

These three appear under both states. Read the qualifier before answering.

Grouping

Telangana

Telangana: name the court revival group

  • Perini Shivatandavam - Kakatiyas of Warangal, revived by Nataraja Ramakrishna

Classical-adjacent, with a dynasty and a reviver attached.

Grouping

Telangana

Which state? — Perini Shivatandavam

Telangana

State mapping

Telangana

Telangana: name the district-tagged group

  • Mathuri - Adilabad

One district, one dance.

Grouping

Telangana

Which state? — Mathuri

Telangana

State mapping

Telangana

Which state? — Oggu Katha

Telangana

State mapping

Telangana

Lambadi (Telangana)

Performed by the Banjara tribe.

Key facts

Telangana

Dhimsa (Telangana)

Performed by the Porja tribe of Andhra and Telangana.

Key facts

Telangana

Gusadi (Telangana)

Performed by the Gond tribe as part of the Dandari dance during Dussehra.

Key facts

Telangana

Mathuri (Telangana)

Performed in Adilabad district.

Key facts

Telangana

Bonalu (Telangana)

Colourful celebration dedicated to Goddess Mahakali.

Key facts

Telangana

Perini Shivatandavam (Telangana)

Warrior dance (Dance of Warriors) that flourished under the KAKATIYA dynasty of Warangal - not the Cholas. Revived in modern times by Nataraja Ramakrishna.

Key facts

Telangana

Name meaning — Hojagiri

The image does the work: a girl balancing a stack of earthen pitchers and a bottle with a lamp on her head, moving only from the waist down. Reang tribe, Tripura.

Name meanings

Tripura

Name meaning — Lebang

The lebang bootiya is the insect. Bamboo clappers imitate the sound used to catch it.

Name meanings

Tripura

Tripura: name the tribe-named group

  • Hojagiri - Reang (Bru)
  • Bijhu - Chakma
  • Hai Hak - Halam
  • Maimata - Kaloi

Tripura is almost entirely tribe-tagged. Learn the tribe column.

Grouping

Tripura

Which state? — Hojagiri

Tripura

State mapping

Tripura

Which state? — Bijhu

Tripura

State mapping

Tripura

Which state? — Hai Hak

Tripura

State mapping

Tripura

Which state? — Maimata

Tripura

State mapping

Tripura

Tripura: name the harvest and season group

  • Garia - spring harvest festival
  • Lebang - catching insects with bamboo clappers
  • Sangrai
  • Hai Hak - after harvest, for Goddess Lakshmi

Sorted by what they celebrate.

Grouping

Tripura

Which state? — Garia

Tripura

State mapping

Tripura

Which state? — Lebang

Tripura

State mapping

Tripura

Which state? — Sangrai

Tripura

State mapping

Tripura

Tripura: name the borrowed from mizoram group

  • Cheraw - Lusai community

Also performed here, which is why it gets asked.

Grouping

Tripura

Which state? — Mosak Sulmani

Tripura

State mapping

Tripura

Hojagiri (Tripura)

Performed by the Reang tribe (also known as Bru). Young girls balance varying numbers of earthen pitchers and props on their heads while moving only the lower body - the upper body stays still.

Key facts

Tripura

Bijhu (Tripura)

Performed by the Chakma tribe.

Key facts

Tripura

Hai Hak (Tripura)

Performed by the Halam tribe after the harvest to honour Goddess Lakshmi.

Key facts

Tripura

Maimata (Tripura)

Performed by the Kaloi community.

Key facts

Tripura

Garia (Tripura)

Harvest festival dance of the spring season.

Key facts

Tripura

Lebang (Tripura)

Harvest dance depicting how bamboo clappers are used to catch insects (the Lebang bootiya).

Key facts

Tripura

Cheraw (Tripura)

Also performed in Tripura by the Lusai community.

Key facts

Tripura

Name meaning — Charkula

A tiered wheel of lamps - 'chakra' plus a stack. 108 lamps, veiled women, Braj. If the question mentions lamps on a pyramid, it is Uttar Pradesh, not Haryana.

Name meanings

Uttar Pradesh

Name meaning — Kajri

From 'kajra', the kohl-black of monsoon clouds. A rainy-season song.

Name meanings

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh: name the braj region group

  • Charkula - 108 lamps on a tiered wooden pyramid
  • Raslila - scenes from Krishna's life

Mathura and Vrindavan, so everything here is Krishna.

Grouping

Uttar Pradesh

Which state? — Charkula

Uttar Pradesh

State mapping

Uttar Pradesh

Which state? — Raslila

Uttar Pradesh

State mapping

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh: name the monsoon songs group

  • Kajri - Mirzapur and Varanasi
  • Dadra - a love dance of Mirzapur

Rainy-season forms of the Bhojpuri belt.

Grouping

Uttar Pradesh

Which state? — Kajri

Uttar Pradesh

State mapping

Uttar Pradesh

Which state? — Dadra

Uttar Pradesh

State mapping

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh: name the theatre group

  • Nautanki - with the Nagada kettledrum
  • Ramlila - UNESCO listed
  • Swang / Saang

Narrative and dramatic forms.

Grouping

Uttar Pradesh

Which state? — Nautanki

Uttar Pradesh

State mapping

Uttar Pradesh

Which state? — Ramlila

Uttar Pradesh

State mapping

Uttar Pradesh

Which state? — Swang / Saang

Uttar Pradesh

State mapping

Uttar Pradesh

Which state? — Kathak

Uttar Pradesh

State mapping

Uttar Pradesh

Which state? — Jhoola

Uttar Pradesh

State mapping

Uttar Pradesh

Which state? — Holi dance

Uttar Pradesh

State mapping

Uttar Pradesh

Charkula (Uttar Pradesh)

Performed in the Braj region. Veiled women balance a massive multi-tiered wooden pyramid bearing 108 lit oil lamps on their heads.

Key facts

Uttar Pradesh

Raslila (Uttar Pradesh)

Depicts scenes from the life of Lord Krishna, from the Braj region (Mathura and Vrindavan).

Key facts

Uttar Pradesh

Nautanki (Uttar Pradesh)

Incorporates music, dance and storytelling on a raised platform; accompanied by the Nagada (kettledrum).

Key facts

Uttar Pradesh

Kajri (Uttar Pradesh)

Performed during the rainy season in the Bhojpuri region of UP and Bihar - Mirzapur and Varanasi belts. Sung by women to welcome the monsoon.

Key facts

Uttar Pradesh

Ramlila (Uttar Pradesh)

Dramatic folk dance that re-enacts the life of God Rama. On the UNESCO ICH list.

Key facts

Uttar Pradesh

Dadra (Uttar Pradesh)

A love dance performed in Mirzapur.

Key facts

Uttar Pradesh

Swang / Saang (Uttar Pradesh)

Folk theatre found in UP, Haryana and western Rajasthan; performers use costumes and masks with musical narration.

Key facts

Uttar Pradesh

Name meaning — Kumaon versus Garhwal

Ask which half of the state first. Chhapeli, Jhora and Chholia are Kumaon; Chanchari, Pandav Nritya and Chhopati are Garhwal.

Name meanings

Uttarakhand

Name meaning — Chholia

A sword dance escorting a wedding procession - swords at a marriage is an odd enough image to stick.

Name meanings

Uttarakhand

Name meaning — Jhora

Shoulders held, Hurka drum. If the question mentions the Hurka, the answer is Uttarakhand, not Himachal.

Name meanings

Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand: name the kumaon group

  • Chhapeli
  • Jhora / Jhoda - shoulders held, Hurka drum, spring fairs
  • Chholia - sword dance at weddings
  • Shakunakhar - auspicious songs

Uttarakhand divides cleanly into two regions. This is half the state's answers.

Grouping

Uttarakhand

Which state? — Chhapeli

Uttarakhand

State mapping

Uttarakhand

Which state? — Jhora / Jhoda

Uttarakhand

State mapping

Uttarakhand

Which state? — Chholia

Uttarakhand

State mapping

Uttarakhand

Which state? — Shakunakhar

Uttarakhand

State mapping

Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand: name the garhwal group

  • Chanchari
  • Pandav Nritya - Dussehra and Diwali
  • Chhopati - question-and-answer songs, Tehri
  • Chamfuli - in pairs, at Holi

The other half.

Grouping

Uttarakhand

Which state? — Chanchari

Uttarakhand

State mapping

Uttarakhand

Which state? — Pandav Nritya

Uttarakhand

State mapping

Uttarakhand

Which state? — Chhopati

Uttarakhand

State mapping

Uttarakhand

Which state? — Chamfuli

Uttarakhand

State mapping

Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand: name the named after the formation group

  • Tandi - men in a half-circle
  • Thadiya - two groups in semicircles

Remember the shape.

Grouping

Uttarakhand

Which state? — Tandi

Uttarakhand

State mapping

Uttarakhand

Which state? — Thadiya

Uttarakhand

State mapping

Uttarakhand

Which state? — Chamfuli / Chounphula

Uttarakhand

State mapping

Uttarakhand

Which state? — Langvir Nritya

Uttarakhand

State mapping

Uttarakhand

Which state? — Barada Nati

Uttarakhand

State mapping

Uttarakhand

Which state? — Ramman

Uttarakhand

State mapping

Uttarakhand

Chhapeli (Uttarakhand)

Performed in the Kumaon region.

Key facts

Uttarakhand

Chanchari (Uttarakhand)

Performed in the Garhwal region.

Key facts

Uttarakhand

Chholia (Uttarakhand)

Sword dance depicting the martial traditions of the Kumaoni; performed at weddings and marriage processions.

Key facts

Uttarakhand

Tandi (Uttarakhand)

Performed by males in a half-circle.

Key facts

Uttarakhand

Thadiya (Uttarakhand)

Dancers are divided into two groups standing in semicircles.

Key facts

Uttarakhand

Jhora (Uttarakhand)

Danced in Kumaon by mixed circles during spring fairs and on full-moon nights around Holi. Participants hold each other by the SHOULDERS and move to the Hurka drum. Also spelt Jhoda.

Key facts

Uttarakhand

Pandav Nritya (Uttarakhand)

Ritual dance of the Garhwal region performed during Dussehra and Diwali, celebrating the five Pandava brothers; dancers believe they are possessed by the Pandavas.

Key facts

Uttarakhand

Chhopati (Uttarakhand)

Romantic folk songs of the Tehri Garhwal region, sung communally by men and women in a question-and-answer format.

Key facts

Uttarakhand

Chamfuli / Chounphula (Uttarakhand)

Garhwal region; performed by men and women in pairs during spring, at Holi and to welcome the harvest.

Key facts

Uttarakhand

Ramman (Uttarakhand)

Religious festival and ritual theatre of the Saloor-Dungra villages - on the UNESCO ICH list.

Key facts

Uttarakhand

Name meaning — Baul

From 'batul' - one who is possessed or mad with devotion. Wandering minstrels with the one-stringed Ektara.

Name meanings

West Bengal

Name meaning — Raibenshe

'Bensh' = bamboo. A martial dance with long bamboo sticks.

Name meanings

West Bengal

West Bengal: name the mystic and wandering group

  • Baul - Ektara and Dubki, UNESCO oral heritage

Not tied to a village or a season.

Grouping

West Bengal

Which state? — Baul

West Bengal

State mapping

West Bengal

West Bengal: name the shiva-linked group

  • Gajan - end of Chaitra
  • Gambhira - Malda region

Both devotional to Shiva, both with satire in them.

Grouping

West Bengal

Which state? — Gajan

West Bengal

State mapping

West Bengal

Which state? — Gambhira

West Bengal

State mapping

West Bengal

West Bengal: name the harvest songs group

  • Tusu
  • Bhadu

Seasonal, of the Rarh belt.

Grouping

West Bengal

Which state? — Tusu

West Bengal

State mapping

West Bengal

Which state? — Bhadu

West Bengal

State mapping

West Bengal

West Bengal: name the martial group

  • Raibenshe - Birbhum, Bardhaman, Murshidabad
  • Lathi
  • Dhali

Stick and sword forms.

Grouping

West Bengal

Which state? — Raibenshe

West Bengal

State mapping

West Bengal

Which state? — Lathi

Punjab  /  West Bengal

State mapping

West Bengal

Which state? — Dhali

West Bengal

State mapping

West Bengal

West Bengal: name the masked group

  • Purulia Chhau - elaborate masks

The Bengal style of Chhau.

Grouping

West Bengal

Which state? — Purulia Chhau

West Bengal

State mapping

West Bengal

Which state? — Kathi

West Bengal

State mapping

West Bengal

Which state? — Domni

West Bengal

State mapping

West Bengal

Which state? — Alkap

West Bengal

State mapping

West Bengal

Baul (West Bengal)

Mystical music and dance of wandering minstrels of Bengal and Bangladesh, expressing their spiritual philosophy. Instruments: Ektara (one-stringed) and Dubki/Duggi. Recognised by UNESCO as a masterpiece of oral heritage.

Key facts

West Bengal

Purulia Chhau (West Bengal)

The West Bengal style of Chhau, using elaborate masks.

Key facts

West Bengal

Raibenshe (West Bengal)

Energetic martial folk dance performed by men in the Birbhum, Bardhaman and Murshidabad districts, originally by soldiers wielding long bamboo sticks (bensh).

Key facts

West Bengal

Gambhira (West Bengal)

Folk performance of the Malda region, devotional to Lord Shiva, with sharp social satire.

Key facts

West Bengal

Tusu & Bhadu (West Bengal)

Harvest and seasonal folk-song dances of the Rarh region.

Key facts

West Bengal

Gajan (West Bengal)

Festival dance linked to Shiva and Neel Puja, performed at the end of Chaitra.

Key facts

West Bengal

Name meaning — Jaago

'Jaago' means wake up. Women carry a lamp-lit pot through the village at night to wake people for the wedding.

Name meanings

Punjab

Name meaning — Giddha versus Bhangra

Giddha is the female counterpart of Bhangra: clapping and sung couplets instead of the Dhol.

Name meanings

Punjab

Punjab: name the men, harvest and victory group

  • Bhangra - Majha area, at Baisakhi
  • Jhumar - Sandalbar, slower and circular
  • Luddi - to celebrate a victory

All male, all high-energy, all built on the Dhol.

Grouping

Punjab

Which state? — Bhangra

Punjab

State mapping

Punjab

Which state? — Luddi

Punjab

State mapping

Punjab

Punjab: name the women group

  • Giddha - boliyan couplets, at Teeyan and Lohri
  • Sammi - on festive occasions
  • Kikli

All female, all in a circle, all sung rather than drummed.

Grouping

Punjab

Which state? — Giddha

Punjab

State mapping

Punjab

Which state? — Kikli

Punjab

State mapping

Punjab

Punjab: name the wedding group

  • Jaago - the Gaggar pot with lit lamps

Pre-wedding household ritual.

Grouping

Punjab

Which state? — Jaago

Punjab

State mapping

Punjab

Punjab: name the martial group

  • Gatka

Sikh weapon art.

Grouping

Punjab

Which state? — Gatka

Punjab

State mapping

Punjab

Which state? — Malwai Giddha

Punjab

State mapping

Punjab

Which state? — Julli

Punjab

State mapping

Punjab

Bhangra (Punjab)

High-energy harvest dance originating in the Majha area, performed at Baisakhi. Driven entirely by the Dhol - the large double-sided drum.

Key facts

Punjab

Giddha (Punjab)

The female counterpart of Bhangra, performed by women in a circle at Teeyan, Lohri and weddings, with rhythmic clapping and sung couplets called 'boliyan'.

Key facts

Punjab

Luddi (Punjab)

Victory dance performed to celebrate success in sport, battle or at weddings. Dancers click their fingers, clap and move in a circle with relaxed, wavy body movements - gentler than Bhangra.

Key facts

Punjab

Sammi (Punjab)

Performed exclusively by women on auspicious festive occasions; women form a circle, clap and sing emotional folk songs. Similar in shape to Giddha.

Key facts

Punjab

Jaago (Punjab)

Literally 'wake up'. Festive pre-wedding dance in which female relatives carry a decorated copper pot (Gaggar) with lit oil lamps on their heads through the village.

Key facts

Punjab

Jhumar (Punjab)

Slow, graceful Punjabi dance of the Sandalbar region, performed in a circle.

Key facts

Punjab

Gatka (Punjab)

Sikh martial art of Punjab, performed with swords and sticks.

Key facts

Punjab

Name meaning — Parichakali

'Paricha' = shield, 'kali' = dance. Shield dance - the name is the answer.

Name meanings

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Name meaning — Sikmari, twice

Sikkim has a Sikmari (Lepcha, nature) and Ladakh has a Sikmari (Leh, horse race). The horse race is the Ladakh cue.

Name meanings

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands: name the ladakh group

  • Spao - warrior dance with swords and shields
  • Shondol - the royal dance
  • Jabro
  • Cham - monastic mask dance
  • Sikmari - in Leh, preceded by a horse race

Buddhist and royal, high-altitude.

Grouping

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Which state? — Spao

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

State mapping

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Which state? — Shondol

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

State mapping

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Which state? — Jabro

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

State mapping

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Which state? — Cham

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

State mapping

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands: name the lakshadweep group

  • Lava - Minicoy island, males only, circular
  • Parichakali - the Shield Dance
  • Kolkali - stick dance

Island forms, mostly male and martial.

Grouping

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Which state? — Lava

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

State mapping

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Which state? — Parichakali

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

State mapping

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands: name the andaman and nicobar group

  • Nicobarese pig dance

One indigenous form worth knowing.

Grouping

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Which state? — Nicobarese pig dance

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

State mapping

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Which state? — Koshan

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

State mapping

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Which state? — Attam

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

State mapping

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Spao (Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands)

Warrior dance of Ladakh; men in traditional Ladakhi warrior costume carry swords and shields, performed at major festivals and monastic celebrations.

Key facts

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Shondol (Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands)

Royal dance of Ladakh, historically performed for the king.

Key facts

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Cham (Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands)

Buddhist masked monastic dance of Ladakh's gompas.

Key facts

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Lava (Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands)

Performed only by MALE dancers of Lakshadweep, particularly on Minicoy island, in a perfect circular formation to powerful drum beats.

Key facts

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Parichakali (Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands)

Popular folk dance of Lakshadweep, commonly called the 'Shield Dance'. Men use wooden shields and swords/sticks for rhythmic martial movements. 'Paricha' = shield, 'Kali' = dance.

Key facts

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Sikmari (Ladakh) (Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands)

Folk dance of Ladakh performed in Leh during festivals; notably, it is often preceded by a HORSE RACE.

Key facts

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Nicobarese pig dance (Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands)

Indigenous tribal dance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Key facts

Ladakh, Lakshadweep & Islands

Classical dance: Bharatanatyam — which state?

Tamil Nadu

Classical

Classical

Bharatanatyam — key points

  • Oldest surviving classical dance; called the mother of Indian classical dances.
  • Evolved from 'Sadir' / Dasi Attam, performed by Devadasis in temples.
  • Grammar drawn from the Abhinaya Darpana of Nandikeshwara.
  • Revived by Rukmini Devi Arundale - first public-stage performance in 1935.
  • Repertoire order: Alarippu (first item, means 'to adorn with flowers') - Jatiswaram - Shabdam - Varnam - Padam - Tillana.
  • Padam = slow, expressive item exploring love and divine affection through Abhinaya.
  • Balances Tandava (vigorous) and Lasya (graceful); Carnatic music; conductor is the Nattuvanar.

Classical

Classical

Classical dance: Kathak — which state?

Uttar Pradesh / North India

Classical

Classical

Kathak — key points

  • The only classical dance of North India; name from 'Kathakar' (storyteller).
  • Rhythm marked by Tabla and Pakhawaj.
  • Signature techniques: Tatkaar (footwork), Chakkars (spins), heavy use of ghungroos (ankle bells).
  • Closely linked to Thumri singing; flourished in Mughal and Nawabi courts.
  • Gharanas: Lucknow, Jaipur, Banaras.
  • Exponents: Birju Maharaj, Sitara Devi (Padma Shri, 'Kathak Queen').

Classical

Classical

Classical dance: Kathakali — which state?

Kerala

Classical

Classical

Kathakali — key points

  • Classical dance-drama; 'Story Play'. Traditionally performed by male actors only, who also play female roles.
  • Elaborate makeup, heavy costumes, mask-like painted faces; towering headgear.
  • Makeup codes: Pacha (green - noble), Kathi (knife/red streaks - arrogant villains), Kari (black - hunters), Minukku (female characters).
  • Drums: Chenda, Maddalam, Idakka. Music style: Sopanam Sangeetham.
  • 24 basic mudras and 9 Navarasas; accompanied by live vocalists (Ponnani and Sinkidi) - the dancer does not sing.
  • Stories drawn from Indian epics - Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas.

Classical

Classical

Classical dance: Kuchipudi — which state?

Andhra Pradesh

Classical

Classical

Kuchipudi — key points

  • Originated in Kuchelapuram village, Krishna district.
  • Systematised by Siddhendra Yogi in the 17th century; he composed 'Bhama Kalapam'.
  • Unique feature: dancers speak and sing (Vachikabhinaya) - dance + mime + acting combined.
  • Signature item: Tarangam - dancing on the rim of a brass plate, sometimes balancing a pot of water.
  • Traditionally trained young Brahmin boys.

Classical

Classical

Classical dance: Odissi — which state?

Odisha

Classical

Classical

Odissi — key points

  • Grew in the Hindu temples of Odisha; performed by Maharis (female temple dancers) in the sanctum of the Jagannath Temple, and later by Gotipua boys.
  • Two foundational postures: Chowk (Chauka) - square, masculine, symbolising Lord Jagannath; and Tribhanga - three bends at neck, torso and knees.
  • Predominant theme: Krishna Leela, drawn from Jayadeva's Gita Govinda.
  • Revived in the modern era by Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra.

Classical

Classical

Classical dance: Manipuri — which state?

Manipur

Classical

Classical

Manipuri — key points

  • The only classical dance from the North East. Also called Jagoi.
  • Deeply Vaishnavite - centred on Ras Leela and the love of Krishna and Radha.
  • Predominant theme: devotion and love (Bhakti); gentle, floating, fluid movements without heavy footwork.
  • Revived in the early 20th century by Rabindranath Tagore, who brought Manipuri teachers to Santiniketan after seeing a performance in Sylhet.
  • Exponent: Guru Bipin Singh. Male drum dance: Pung Cholom.

Classical

Classical

Classical dance: Mohiniyattam — which state?

Kerala

Classical

Classical

Mohiniyattam — key points

  • 'Dance of the Enchantress' (Mohini - an avatar of Vishnu).
  • Solo dance performed by WOMEN, entirely in the Lasya (graceful, feminine) style.
  • Costume: white or off-white Kasavu saree with gold borders.
  • Swati Tirunal, the Maharaja of Travancore, played the pivotal role in its development and stabilisation.
  • Movements are gentle and swaying, said to echo palm trees.

Classical

Classical

Classical dance: Sattriya — which state?

Assam

Classical

Classical

Sattriya — key points

  • Introduced in the 15th century by the Vaishnava saint Srimanta Sankardev as a medium to spread Vaishnavism.
  • Performed in Sattras (monasteries), traditionally by male monks (Bhokots), as part of Ankiya Nat / Bhaona.
  • Recognised as a classical dance by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in the year 2000 - the youngest of the eight.
  • Instruments: Khol (drum) and Taal (cymbals). Costume: Mekhela Chador in Assamese silk.
  • Themes largely from the Bhagavata Purana.

Classical

Classical

Martial dance — Lathi

Punjab & West Bengal

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Gatka

Punjab

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Silambam

Tamil Nadu

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Sarit Sarak / Thang-Ta

Manipur

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Kalaripayattu

Kerala

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Thoda

Himachal Pradesh

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Inbuan

Mizoram

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Mardani Khel

Maharashtra

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Pari Khanda

Bihar

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Mallakhamba

Madhya Pradesh

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Musti Yudha

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Chhau

Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Paika

Odisha & Jharkhand

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Chholia

Uttarakhand

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Raibenshe

West Bengal

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Velakali & Parichamuttukali

Kerala

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Bolak-aat

Karnataka

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Ranapa

Odisha

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Spao

Ladakh

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Parichakali

Lakshadweep

Martial

Martial

Martial dance — Kathi Samu

Andhra Pradesh

Martial

Martial

UNESCO ICH — Kalbelia

Rajasthan  ·  inscribed 2010

UNESCO

UNESCO

UNESCO ICH — Chhau

Jharkhand / West Bengal / Odisha  ·  inscribed 2010

UNESCO

UNESCO

UNESCO ICH — Ramlila

Uttar Pradesh & North India  ·  inscribed 2005/2008

UNESCO

UNESCO

UNESCO ICH — Koodiyattam

Kerala  ·  inscribed 2001/2008

UNESCO

UNESCO

UNESCO ICH — Sankirtana

Manipur  ·  inscribed 2013

UNESCO

UNESCO

UNESCO ICH — Ramman

Uttarakhand (Garhwal)  ·  inscribed 2009

UNESCO

UNESCO

UNESCO ICH — Baul songs

West Bengal  ·  inscribed 2005/2008

UNESCO

UNESCO

UNESCO ICH — Buddhist chanting of Ladakh

Ladakh  ·  inscribed 2012

UNESCO

UNESCO

UNESCO ICH — Garba of Gujarat

Gujarat  ·  inscribed 2023

UNESCO

UNESCO

UNESCO ICH — Durga Puja in Kolkata

West Bengal  ·  inscribed 2021

UNESCO

UNESCO

Exponent: Teejan Bai

Pandavani (Chhattisgarh)  ·  Padma Vibhushan 2019

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Usha Barle

Pandavani (Chhattisgarh)  ·  Padma Shri 2023

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Gulabo Sapera

Kalbelia (Rajasthan)  ·  Best-known Kalbelia exponent

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Rukmini Devi Arundale

Bharatanatyam  ·  Revived Sadir; first public stage performance 1935

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Sitara Devi

Kathak  ·  Padma Shri; 'Kathak Queen'

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Birju Maharaj

Kathak  ·  Lucknow gharana

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra

Odissi  ·  Revived Odissi from Mahari & Gotipua traditions

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Guru Bipin Singh

Manipuri  ·  Codified Manipuri technique

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Srimanta Sankardev

Sattriya  ·  15th-century saint; created Ankiya Nat and the Sattra tradition

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Siddhendra Yogi

Kuchipudi  ·  Composed Bhama Kalapam

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Swati Tirunal

Mohiniyattam  ·  Maharaja of Travancore; developed the repertoire

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Kunchan Nambiar

Ottamthullal (Kerala)  ·  Introduced the form

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Swapnasundari

Vilasini Natyam (Andhra Pradesh)  ·  Revived and reconstructed it

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Nataraja Ramakrishna

Perini Shivatandavam (Telangana)  ·  Revived the Kakatiya-era warrior dance

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Rabindranath Tagore

Manipuri  ·  Revived it by bringing teachers to Santiniketan

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Narahari Burha Bhakat

Bhortal (Assam)  ·  Developed the form at Barpeta

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Bhikhari Thakur

Bidesia & Launda Naach (Bihar)  ·  'Shakespeare of Bhojpuri'

Exponents

Exponents

Exponent: Tulsi Raghavendra Hegde

Yakshagana (Karnataka)  ·  Shaped its development

Exponents

Exponents

Instrument: Dhol

Bhangra (Punjab)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Dholki

Lavani (Maharashtra)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Dholak & Nagada

Badhai and Rai (Madhya Pradesh)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Nagada (kettledrum)

Nautanki (Uttar Pradesh)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Tabla & Pakhawaj

Kathak (classical)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Chenda, Maddalam, Idakka

Kathakali (Kerala)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Khol & Taal

Sattriya (Assam)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Mridangam

Carnatic music / Bharatanatyam

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Ektara & Dubki

Baul (West Bengal)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Pungi

Kalbelia (Rajasthan)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Manjeera (13 cymbals)

Terah Taali (Rajasthan)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Ilathalam (cymbals) & claps

Thiruvathira Kali (Kerala)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Hurka

Jhora (Uttarakhand)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Dollu (drum)

Dollu Kunitha (Karnataka)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Sambal

Veergase (Karnataka)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Halagi

Joodu Halagi (Karnataka)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Sifung (flute) & Kham

Bagurumba (Assam)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Dhol & Pepa (horn)

Bihu (Assam)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Tambura

Pandavani (Chhattisgarh) and Burrakatha (Andhra Pradesh)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Kamsale (brass)

Kamsale (Karnataka)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Lezim (stick with cymbals)

Lezim (Maharashtra)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Bamboo staves

Cheraw (Mizoram)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Tippani (wooden sticks)

Tippani (Gujarat)

Instruments

Instruments

Instrument: Ghungroo

Kathak; Jhanjhar (Himachal Pradesh)

Instruments

Instruments

Festival or occasion: Navratri

Garba & Dandiya Raas (Gujarat), Naurata (MP), Titodo (Gujarat), Dhangar (Goa)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Baisakhi

Bhangra (Punjab)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Rongali Bihu

Bihu (Assam)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Bwisagu

Bagurumba (Assam)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Chapchar Kut

Cheraw & Chailam (Mizoram)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Hornbill (1-10 Dec)

Rengma & Naga war dances (Nagaland)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Pang Lhabsol

Chu-Faat & Singhi Chham (Sikkim)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Losar

Yakchham (Sikkim), Aji Lamu (Arunachal Pradesh)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Mopin

Popir (Arunachal Pradesh)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Oriah

Wancho & Ozele (Arunachal Pradesh)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Aran

Tapu (Arunachal Pradesh)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Monyu

Monyoasho (Nagaland)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Holi / Phagun

Phag & Loor (Haryana), Bhagoria (MP), Tarangmel (Goa), Dhol Cholom (Manipur), Rathwa ni Gher & Daang (Gujarat), Chamfuli (Uttarakhand), Jhoda (Uttarakhand)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Shigmo

Romat (Goa)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Shimga

Tamasha (Maharashtra)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Ganesh Chaturthi / Ganeshotsav

Fugdi (Goa), Lezim (Maharashtra)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Onam

Pulikali & Thiruvathira Kali (Kerala)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Pongal

Kummi (Tamil Nadu)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Thaipusam

Kavadi Attam (Tamil Nadu)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Dussehra

Dhaman (HP), Veergase (Karnataka), Gusadi/Dandari (Telangana), Saila (MP), Dalkhai (Odisha), Pandav Nritya (Uttarakhand), Tarangmel (Goa)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Dasain / Jhika Dassain

Santhali (Jharkhand)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Durga Puja

Jhijhiya (Bihar)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Karam Puja

Karma / Jhumair (Jharkhand)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Teeyan & Lohri

Giddha (Punjab)

Festivals

Festivals

Festival or occasion: Karthik (Oct-Nov)

Jhumeri (Bihar), Chalo Loku (Arunachal Pradesh)

Festivals

Festivals

In Kathak, which of the following is used to mark the rhythm?

  • Tabla and Pakhawaj
  • Mridangam
  • Violin
  • Flute

In Kathak the taal is marked by percussion - Tabla and Pakhawaj. Mridangam belongs to Carnatic music and South Indian forms.

SSC Phase 13, Aug 2025

Which dance from Gujarat is performed with sticks during Navratri?

  • Garba
  • Dandiya Raas
  • Kolattam
  • Perini Shivatandavam

Dandiya Raas uses decorated sticks and simulates the mock fight between Durga and Mahishasura. Garba is done around a lamp with claps, not sticks.

SSC Phase 13, Jul 2025

Which of the following is a traditional dance of Kerala?

  • Theyyam
  • Dhol Cholom
  • Giddha
  • Bhangra

Theyyam is the ritual dance of North Malabar, Kerala, where the dancer is believed to become a deity. Dhol Cholom is Manipuri; Giddha and Bhangra are Punjabi.

SSC Phase 13, Jul 2025

Which of the following is a ritual dance form of Kerala that enshrines ancient tribal ancestor worship?

  • Theyyam
  • Dhol Cholom
  • Giddha
  • Bhangra

Theyyam combines dance, mime and music, preserving tribal ancestor and hero worship of Kerala.

SSC Phase 13, Jul 2025

Which dance is typically performed during weddings in Kerala?

  • Oppana
  • Hojagiri
  • Giddha
  • Dhamyal

Oppana is performed by Mappila (Muslim) women of Kerala to entertain the bride. Hojagiri is Tripura, Dhamal is Haryana.

SSC Phase 13, Jul 2025

Which of the following is a dance from Chhattisgarh?

  • Bison Horn Maria
  • Gaddi Nati
  • Baiga Pardhoni
  • Bagurumba

Bison Horn Maria (Gaur Maria) is danced by the Dandami Maria tribe of Bastar wearing headgear of real buffalo horns.

SSC Phase 13, Jul 2025

Who played a significant role in the development of Mohiniattam?

  • Swati Tirunal
  • Rajendra Chola
  • Rukmini Devi Arundale
  • S. Subbulakshmi

Swati Tirunal, Maharaja of Travancore, stabilised and structured the Mohiniyattam repertoire. Rukmini Devi Arundale is linked to Bharatanatyam.

SSC Phase 13, Jul 2025

Match: A. Thiruvathira Kali B. Saila C. Rouf with 1. Kashmir 2. Kerala 3. Odisha

  • A-3, B-1, C-2
  • A-1, B-3, C-2
  • A-2, B-3, C-1
  • A-3, B-2, C-1

Thiruvathira Kali is from Kerala, Saila is a stick dance of the Chhattisgarh-MP-Odisha border belt, Rouf is from Kashmir.

SSC Phase 13, Jul 2025

Which of the following is recognised as a classical dance of India?

  • Bharatnatyam
  • Garba
  • Lavani
  • Bhangra

Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu) is one of the eight classical dances recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Garba, Lavani and Bhangra are folk forms.

SSC Steno, Aug 2025

Kathak is a classical dance form that developed in which region of India?

  • Southern India
  • Northern India
  • Eastern India
  • Western India

Kathak is the only classical dance of North India, primarily Uttar Pradesh. The name comes from 'Kathakar' - storyteller.

SSC Steno, Aug 2025

Which classical dance form originated in Andhra Pradesh and incorporates both singing and dancing?

  • Manipuri
  • Kathakali
  • Mohiniyattam
  • Kuchipudi

Kuchipudi originated in Kuchelapuram village, Krishna district. Dancers sing and speak (Vachikabhinaya) alongside the dance.

SSC Steno, Aug 2025

Which classical dance form is associated with the state of Kerala?

  • Kathak
  • Kuchipudi
  • Kathakali
  • Sattriya

Kathakali means 'Story Play' - a Kerala dance-drama with elaborate makeup and face masks. Mohiniyattam is Kerala's other classical form.

SSC Steno, Aug 2025

Which dance form is traditionally associated with the culture of Punjab?

  • Kuchipudi
  • Yakshagana
  • Bhangra
  • Mohiniyattam

Bhangra is the harvest dance of the Majha area of Punjab, performed at Baisakhi. Yakshagana is Karnataka theatre.

SSC Steno, Aug 2025

Bihu is a folk music and dance form associated with which Indian state?

  • Kerala
  • Gujarat
  • Assam
  • Punjab

Bihu is Assam's most important festival and dance, performed during Rongali Bihu (Assamese New Year) in mid-April.

SSC Steno, Aug 2025

Which classical dance form uses storytelling through hand gestures (mudras) and facial expressions (abhinaya)?

  • Bihu
  • Koli
  • Garba
  • Bharatnatyam

Bharatanatyam relies heavily on mudras and abhinaya. It is the only classical option among folk dances here.

SSC Steno, Aug 2025

Odissi classical dance originated in which Indian state?

  • Gujarat
  • Odisha
  • Bihar
  • Assam

Odissi grew in the temples of Odisha and is known for the Tribhanga (three-bend) posture.

SSC Steno, Aug 2025

Identify the dance style recognised for its spiritual devotion and connection to the Vaishnavite movement.

  • Bharatnatyam
  • Kathak
  • Odissi
  • Sattriya

Sattriya was introduced in 15th-century Assam by Srimanta Sankardev to propagate Vaishnavism through the Sattras (monasteries).

SSC Steno, Aug 2025

Cheraw, the bamboo dance performed using crossed bamboo sticks, is a folk dance of which state?

  • Mizoram
  • Meghalaya
  • Arunachal Pradesh
  • Sikkim

Cheraw is Mizoram's Bamboo Dance. Men clap bamboo staves in rhythm while women step in and out of the grid.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Kalbelia dance represents the movement of ________.

  • Camels
  • Snakes
  • Birds
  • Horses

Kalbelia is performed by the Kalbelia (snake charmer) community of Rajasthan; the swaying movements and black costumes mimic a serpent.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

The folk dance Dollu Kunitha, performed with large drums, belongs to which region?

  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Telangana
  • Karnataka
  • Kerala

Dollu Kunitha is a Karnataka drum dance of the Kuruba (shepherd) community, worshipping the deity Beereshwara.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Koli dance is traditionally performed by the ________ community.

  • Fisherfolk
  • Farmers
  • Shepherds
  • Weavers

Koli is the fisherfolk dance of Maharashtra and Goa; movements depict rowing boats and casting nets.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Panthi dance is linked to the followers of ________ in Chhattisgarh.

  • Guru Ghasidas
  • Kabir
  • Kabuli
  • Nanak

Panthi is performed by the Satnami community as a devotional dance dedicated to Guru Ghasidas, founder of the Satnami sect.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Which of these statements about Kalbelia are correct? 1. Performers rarely document their art due to oral heritage. 2. Costumes avoid stitched elements. 3. Included in UNESCO ICH list without written application.

  • Only 1
  • Only 2 & 3
  • All 1, 2 & 3
  • Only 1 & 3

Only 1 is correct - Kalbelia is an oral tradition. Statement 2 is wrong: women wear heavily embroidered stitched black ghagras. Statement 3 is wrong: UNESCO inscription requires a formal nomination dossier.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Consider the statements about Jhora: 1. Danced in Kumaon by mixed circles during spring fairs. 2. Accompanied primarily by the Hurka drum.

  • Only 1 correct
  • Only 2 correct
  • Both 1 & 2 correct
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Both are correct. Jhora is a community dance of Kumaon (Uttarakhand) performed by men and women of all castes joining hands in a circle, to the Hurka.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Which statements are correct about Panthi dance? 1. Steps encode teachings from Guru Ghasidas. 2. Masks representing Satpurush are worn.

  • Only 1
  • Only 2
  • 1 and 2 both
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Only 1 is correct. Panthi movements reflect the Nirvana philosophy of Guru Ghasidas. Masks are NOT part of Panthi - the dancers perform acrobatics around a Jaitkham.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Poikkal Kuthirai Aattam (dummy horse dance) is performed in which state?

  • Kerala
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Karnataka
  • Telangana

Poikkal Kuthirai Aattam - the 'false horse dance' - is from Tamil Nadu. Dancers wear a dummy horse and move on wooden legs. Also called Puravi Aattam.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Consider the statements about Rauf: 1. Women's group dance of Kashmir performed at Eid. 2. Dancers align in two facing rows executing footwork.

  • Only 1 correct
  • Only 2 correct
  • Both 1 & 2 correct
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Both are correct. Rouf is performed by Kashmiri women during Eid and spring; dancers stand in two rows, interlock arms and execute simple but graceful footwork.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Match the dance with its prime context: 1. Rauf 2. Karma 3. Tamasha 4. Jhumar with A. Tribal/Central India B. Kashmir C. Punjab/Harvest D. Folk Theatre/Maharashtra

  • 1-B, 2-A, 3-D, 4-C
  • 1-B, 2-D, 3-A, 4-C
  • 1-A, 2-B, 3-D, 4-C
  • 1-B, 2-A, 3-C, 4-D

Rauf-Kashmir, Karma-tribal Central India (Jharkhand/Chhattisgarh), Tamasha-Maharashtra folk theatre, Jhumar-Punjab harvest.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Consider: 1. Perini Shivatandavam is a warrior dance revived in modern times. 2. It originated from the Chola kings of Tamil Nadu.

  • Only 1
  • Only 2
  • Both 1 and 2
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Statement 1 is correct - revived by Nataraja Ramakrishna. Statement 2 is wrong: Perini flourished under the KAKATIYA dynasty of Warangal (Telangana), not the Cholas.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Vilasini Natyam is a classical dance form revived in which Indian state?

  • Tamil Nadu
  • Karnataka
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Kerala

Vilasini Natyam is the Telugu temple-dance tradition of the Kalavantulu, revived and reconstructed by Swapnasundari in Andhra Pradesh.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Match the folk dance with its song-theme: 1. Panthi 2. Gotipua 3. Kalbelia 4. Tippani with A. Snake-charmer theme B. Floor-beating chore C. Devotional Satnami hymns D. Precursor to Odissi (Radha-Krishna)

  • 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D
  • 1-C, 2-D, 3-A, 4-B
  • 1-B, 2-A, 3-D, 4-C
  • 1-C, 2-A, 3-B, 4-D

Panthi - Satnami hymns; Gotipua - boys dressed as women, precursor to Odissi; Kalbelia - snake-charmer theme; Tippani - floor-beating labour chore of Gujarat.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Consider the statements about Tippani: 1. Originated among Saurashtra women tamping lime floors. 2. Male drummers provide accompaniment.

  • Only 1 correct
  • Only 2 correct
  • Both 1 & 2 correct
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Both are correct. Tippani began in the Chorwad region of Saurashtra where women laboured with long sticks to level lime floors; men played the dhol to break the monotony.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Tippani dance uses ________ tools to pound the floor.

  • Metal rods
  • Wooden sticks
  • Bamboo poles
  • Stones

The Tippani is a long wooden stick joined to a square wooden or iron block at the lower end.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

What makes Chhau a syncretic Indian dance form?

  • Sanskrit-only chants
  • Merges tribal, folk, and classical Hindu elements
  • Evolved from Vaishnav temple dance
  • Prohibits theatrical expression

Chhau blends tribal martial arts, folk traditions and classical Hindu mythology (Ramayana, Mahabharata) - a synthesis of diverse cultural strands.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Which of the following correctly describes the musical form Svarajati?

  • Bhajan form
  • Dance item without structure
  • Vocal form adapted for dance
  • Film-based item

Svarajati is a Carnatic musical form often adapted for Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. It has three sections: Pallavi, Anupallavi and Charanam.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Ghoomar was listed among the top local dances globally in ________.

  • 2010
  • 2013
  • 2015
  • 2018

In 2013 Ghoomar (Rajasthan) was ranked 4th in a 'Top 10 Most Amazing Local Dances Around the World' list by a travel website.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Which is a folk song form of Jharkhand that reflects lived experiences and accompanies dance?

  • Lavani
  • Domkach
  • Bhavai
  • Baul

Domkach is sung and danced by the bridegroom's family during marriage ceremonies in Jharkhand and Bihar; lyrics carry domestic life and social satire.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Tippani arises from the ________ region of Gujarat.

  • Kutch
  • Saurashtra
  • Surat
  • Vadodara

Tippani originated in the Saurashtra region, particularly among the Koli and Kharva communities of the Chorwad and Veraval areas.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Match the dance with its core tribe/community: 1. Kalbelia 2. Panthi 3. Dangi Nritya 4. Paika with A. Tribes of Dangs district (Kunkna, Warli) B. Paika warrior community C. Kalbelia tribe of Rajasthan D. Satnami community of Chhattisgarh

  • 1-C, 2-D, 3-A, 4-B
  • 1-B, 2-A, 3-D, 4-C
  • 1-C, 2-B, 3-A, 4-D
  • 1-A, 2-C, 3-B, 4-D

Kalbelia - Kalbelia tribe (Rajasthan); Panthi - Satnami community (Chhattisgarh); Dangi Nritya - tribes of Dangs district (Gujarat); Paika - Paika warrior community (Odisha/Jharkhand).

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Ghoomar was originally performed to worship ________.

  • Shiva
  • Saraswati
  • Krishna
  • Ganesha

Ghoomar was traditionally performed by the Bhil tribe to worship Goddess Saraswati, later adopted by Rajput communities.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Hojagiri dance is associated with which tribe and state?

  • Bodo - Assam
  • Reang - Tripura
  • Angami - Nagaland
  • Mishing - Arunachal Pradesh

Hojagiri is the folk dance of the Reang (Bru) community of Tripura. Girls balance pitchers and props on their heads while the upper body stays still.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

What is the most notable feature of the Rouf dance of Kashmir?

  • Colorful costumes
  • Hand gestures
  • Footwork of dancers
  • Musical instruments

Rouf's defining feature is the intricate footwork known as 'Chakri'; dancers sway forward and backward in two rows singing Rouf-Baith.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

In Jhora dance, participants hold each other by the ________.

  • Shoulders
  • Arms
  • Waist
  • Wrists

In the Jhora dance of the Kumaon region, men and women hold each other by the shoulders and move in a circle or semi-circle to the Hurka.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Tamasha is a folk theatre form mainly found in ________.

  • Kerala
  • Karnataka
  • Maharashtra
  • Odisha

Tamasha is Marathi folk theatre, widely performed by male instrument players with comic skits, staged during Shimga.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Which statement describes the Dumhal dance of Kashmir?

  • Performed by women
  • Only string instruments
  • Only Wattal men perform around a banner
  • Allows spontaneous performance

Dumhal is performed strictly by men of the Wattal tribe, who dance around a ceremonial banner (Alam) planted in the ground. Rouf is the women's dance.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

The classical dance form 'Mohiniyattam' belongs to which Indian state?

  • Tamil Nadu
  • Kerala
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Karnataka

Mohiniyattam is one of Kerala's two classical forms (the other being Kathakali). It is a solo Lasya dance performed by women in white-gold Kasavu sarees.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

The dance form Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem is a thanksgiving dance of which community?

  • Khasi
  • Ao
  • Apatani
  • Adi

Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem - 'Dance of the Joyful Heart' - is the Khasi community's annual thanksgiving festival in Meghalaya, held in April.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Consider the statements about Tamasha: 1. Marathi folk-theatre staged during Shimga. 2. Kolhati community linked with troupes.

  • Only 1 correct
  • Only 2 correct
  • Both 1 & 2 correct
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Both are correct. Tamasha is performed during festivals like Holi and Shimga; the Kolhati and Mahar communities are historically linked to Tamasha troupes.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2024

Lavani is performed to the beats of which instrument?

  • Mridangam
  • Tabla
  • Dholki
  • Nagada

Lavani is set to the Dholki. Its high-tempo rhythm and swift footwork define the form.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Consider statements about Jhumar: 1. Harvest dance of Jharkhand. 2. Women alone perform the Mardani variant.

  • Only 1 correct
  • Only 2 correct
  • Both 1 & 2 correct
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Only 1 is correct. Mardani Jhumar is performed by MEN ('mard' = man); the Janani Jhumar is the women's variant.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Thoda is performed mostly by the ________ community.

  • Rajputs
  • Brahmins
  • Jats
  • Ahirs

Thoda is the martial archery sport-dance of Himachal Pradesh, performed by Rajputs who trace descent from the Kauravas and Pandavas.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Arrange the performance segments of Paika Nritya: 1. Blowing war conch 2. Shield-sword sparring 3. Acrobatics 4. Victory shout

  • 1-2-3-4
  • 2-1-3-4
  • 1-3-2-4
  • 3-2-1-4

Paika Nritya (Odisha) mirrors a battle: conch to signal the start, then shield-and-sword sparring, then acrobatics, ending with a collective victory shout.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Which ritual dance is performed during the Mopin Festival?

  • Bihu
  • Popir
  • Sangpangtu
  • Ponung

Popir is performed by the Galo tribe of Arunachal Pradesh during the Mopin festival, to drive away evil spirits. Dancers wear white and chant 'Bari'.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Consider statements about Ghoomar: 1. Earliest performers were Bhil women. 2. Inscribed on UNESCO ICH list in 2015.

  • Only 1 correct
  • Only 2 correct
  • Both 1 & 2 correct
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Only 1 is correct. Ghoomar is NOT on the UNESCO list - the Rajasthani dance on that list is Kalbelia (2010).

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Consider statements about Kalbelia: 1. Female costumes are black swirling skirts. 2. Entered the UNESCO list in 2010.

  • Only 1 correct
  • Only 2 correct
  • Both 1 & 2 correct
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Both are correct. Kalbelia women wear flowing black skirts with silver ribbons, and the form was inscribed on the UNESCO ICH list in 2010.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Dumhal dancers wear ________ during the performance.

  • Colorful robes
  • Masks
  • Veils
  • Bells

Dumhal men wear long colourful robes and tall conical caps studded with beads and shells.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Statements about Dumhal: 1. Wattal men plant a banner. 2. It celebrates apple harvests.

  • Only 1 correct
  • Only 2 correct
  • Both 1 & 2 correct
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Only 1 is correct. Dumhal is a devotional dance performed at shrines to invoke blessings - not an apple-harvest festival dance.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Thoda combines martial art with ________ in Himachal Pradesh.

  • Archery
  • Swordplay
  • Stick-fighting
  • Wrestling

Thoda combines dance with archery. The name comes from the round wooden piece attached to the arrow head; blunt arrows are aimed at the opponent's legs.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Panthi dancers wear ________ during performance.

  • Kurta
  • Dhoti
  • Saree
  • Lungi

Panthi dancers wear a simple (usually white) dhoti reaching to the knees, leaving the upper body bare - allowing acrobatics and pyramids.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Tippani is a traditional folk dance of which state?

  • Rajasthan
  • Gujarat
  • Maharashtra
  • Punjab

Tippani belongs to Gujarat, originating in Saurashtra. It grew out of the labour of beating floors flat and is performed exclusively by women.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

In which state is 'Pandwani' performed?

  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Chhattisgarh
  • Jharkhand
  • Kerala

Pandavani is a Chhattisgarhi narrative form retelling the Mahabharata with Bhima as hero, using the Tambura. Two styles: Vedamati and Kapalik.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Which two postures form the foundation of Odissi?

  • Tandava and Lasya
  • Chowk and Tribhanga
  • Chakkar and Mudra
  • Natya and Nritya

Chowk is the masculine square stance symbolising Lord Jagannath; Tribhanga is the three-bend feminine posture bending at neck, waist and knees.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Jhumar is a folk dance of ________.

  • Odisha
  • West Bengal
  • Jharkhand
  • Gujarat

Jhumar (Jhumair) is a Nagpuri folk dance of Jharkhand, also performed in Odisha, West Bengal and Assam's tea gardens during harvest and Karam Puja.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

'Yakshagana' is from which state?

  • Karnataka
  • Gujarat
  • Odisha
  • West Bengal

Yakshagana is Karnataka's traditional theatre form combining dance, music, dialogue, costume and stagecraft, performed in the open air from dusk to dawn.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

Which two postures form the foundation of Odissi?

  • Tandava/Lasya
  • Chowk/Tribhanga
  • Chakkar/Mudra
  • Natya/Nritya

Chowk gives Odissi a stable balanced base; Tribhanga adds grace and lyricism - together they distinguish Odissi from other classical forms.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Sep 2025

What does 'Alarippu' mean?

  • To adorn with flowers
  • To invoke blessings
  • To express emotions
  • To depict divine love

Alarippu is the first item of a Bharatanatyam recital, literally 'to bloom' or 'to adorn with flowers'. It is pure Nritya without abhinaya.

SSC CGL Tier 1, Oct 2025

'Adhratiya' is a traditional folk song of which Indian state?

  • Telangana
  • Jharkhand
  • Punjab
  • Maharashtra

Adhratiya is a Jharkhand folk song typically sung around the middle of the night ('adh-raat'), part of the tribal oral tradition.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

The 'Jhoda' dance, performed on a full moon night around Holi, belongs to which Indian state?

  • Goa
  • Uttarakhand
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Karnataka

Jhoda (Jhora) is a folk dance of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. Men and women of different castes join hands and dance in a circle.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Which folk dance of Chhattisgarh is also known as the 'Parrot dance'?

  • Suwa Dance
  • Kolatam Dance
  • Lambadi Dance
  • Aoling Monyu Dance

'Suwa' means parrot. Women dance around a parrot placed in a bamboo basket during the harvest season, mimicking the bird's movements.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Which traditional puppet dance of Tamil Nadu depicts scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata?

  • Ghotul
  • Parichakali
  • Bandiya
  • Bommalattam

Bommalattam is the string-and-rod puppet show of Tamil Nadu, one of India's oldest puppetry forms. The puppets are large and heavy.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Swang' dance is performed in which Indian state?

  • Goa
  • Kerala
  • Maharashtra
  • Uttar Pradesh

Swang (Saang) is a folk theatre and dance form of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, involving musical narration, costumes and masks.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Which of the following is a traditional dance associated with the culture of Sikkim?

  • Loor
  • Dindi
  • Padhar
  • Snow Lion

The Snow Lion dance (Singhi Chham) is a ritual dance of Sikkim performed by the Bhutia community, honouring the mythical snow lion of the Himalayas.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Baul' dance is performed in ________.

  • Rajasthan
  • Ladakh
  • Maharashtra
  • West Bengal

Baul is the mystical music-and-dance tradition of West Bengal's wandering minstrels, using the Ektara and Dubki. Recognised by UNESCO as oral heritage.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Which folk dance of Lakshadweep is also known as the 'Shield Dance'?

  • Ghumura
  • Gambhira
  • Parichakali
  • Yak Chaam

Parichakali is Lakshadweep's Shield Dance - 'Paricha' means shield, 'Kali' means dance. Men use wooden shields and sticks in rhythmic martial movements.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Jhijhia' dance is related to which Indian state?

  • Maharashtra
  • Bihar
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Karnataka

Jhijhiya is from the Mithila region of Bihar, performed by women during Durga Puja to ward off the evil eye. Perforated clay pots lit with lamps are balanced on the head.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Jaago' dance is related to which state?

  • Punjab
  • Jharkhand
  • Odisha
  • Maharashtra

Jaago means 'wake up'. Female relatives of the bride or groom carry a decorated copper pot (Gaggar) with lit lamps on their heads through the village.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Chad Laho' is a popular traditional festival in Meghalaya, celebrated as a thanksgiving after harvest. It is a form of ________.

  • painting
  • dance
  • wrestling
  • cooking

Chad Laho is a thanksgiving DANCE of the Pnar (Jaintia) people. A woman is flanked by two men and they link arms to perform rhythmic steps.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Gotipua Nacha' belongs to which Indian state?

  • Haryana
  • Nagaland
  • Tripura
  • Odisha

Gotipua is from Odisha - young boys dress as women to praise Jagannath and Krishna. 'Gotipua' means 'single boy'; it is the precursor to Odissi.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Veeragase' is a traditional folk dance of which Indian state?

  • Karnataka
  • Bihar
  • Tripura
  • Jharkhand

Veergase is a vigorous Karnataka dance performed at Dasara and Shravana, based on the Shiva-Veerabhadra myth. Dancers carry swords; instrument is the Sambal.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

In which Indian state is the 'Garia' dance traditionally performed?

  • Gujarat
  • Jharkhand
  • Maharashtra
  • Tripura

Garia is a spring harvest festival dance of Tripura, performed by men and women to drums and pipes, praying for a good crop and prosperity.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Which traditional dance of Tamil Nadu is performed by women dancing in a circle while clapping their hands to a rhythm?

  • Kummi
  • Tusu
  • Giddha
  • Kathi

Kummi is an ancient Tamil Nadu folk dance. There are often no instruments at all - the clapping of hands provides the rhythm.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Baul' dance is performed in ________.

  • Rajasthan
  • Ladakh
  • Maharashtra
  • West Bengal

The Baul tradition of West Bengal involves singing and dancing; Bauls believe the divine resides within the human body. Instruments: Ektara and Duggi.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Nautanki' is a folk dance of which state?

  • Haryana
  • Assam
  • Maharashtra
  • Uttar Pradesh

Nautanki is Uttar Pradesh's folk performance art blending storytelling, music and dance on a raised platform, accompanied by the Nagada.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

The 'Tapu' dance is traditionally performed by tribes belonging to which Indian state?

  • Goa
  • Odisha
  • Jharkhand
  • Arunachal Pradesh

Tapu is a war dance of the Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, performed during the Aran festival with swords and shields to ward off evil spirits.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Which folk dance of Lakshadweep is also known as the 'Shield Dance'?

  • Ghumura
  • Gambhira
  • Parichakali
  • Yak Chaam

Parichakali is a martial dance of Lakshadweep performed by men in groups, mimicking defence and attack with wooden sticks and shields.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Which folk dance of Ladakh is performed in Leh and is preceded by a horse race?

  • Sikmari
  • Koshan
  • Mamita
  • Lezim

Sikmari of Ladakh is performed in the Leh region during festivals and is notably preceded by a horse race.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Rai' is a famous dance performed in which Indian state?

  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Punjab
  • Odisha
  • Assam

Rai is a Bundelkhand folk dance of Madhya Pradesh, performed by the Bedni community at weddings and festivals, known for fast tempo, with Dholak and Nagada.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Kakkarissi Natakam' is a satirical dance-drama of which state?

  • Gujarat
  • Kerala
  • Maharashtra
  • Tripura

Kakkarissi Natakam is a Kerala satirical dance-drama performed by the Kakkala community, using humour to highlight social and religious themes.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

________ is performed in front of an image of the Goddess Mariamman in Tamil Nadu.

  • Karakattam
  • Villu Pattu
  • Sevai Attam
  • Kolattam

Karakattam is an ancient Tamil Nadu folk dance in praise of the rain goddess Mariamman. Dancers balance a decorated pot (Karakam) on their heads.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Pandava' dance, performed during Dussehra and Diwali, belongs to which Indian state?

  • Assam
  • Maharashtra
  • Uttarakhand
  • Karnataka

Pandav Nritya is a ritual folk dance of the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, celebrating the life and adventures of the five Pandava brothers.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Which Indian state practices the folk dance form 'Monyoasho'?

  • Goa
  • Telangana
  • Nagaland
  • West Bengal

Monyoasho is performed by the Phom Naga tribe of Nagaland during the Monyu festival, marking the end of winter and the arrival of summer.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Which state practices the folk dance form 'Hai-Hak'?

  • Tripura
  • Gujarat
  • Bihar
  • Kerala

Hai-Hak is performed by the Halam community of Tripura after the harvest, in worship of Goddess Lakshmi.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Which of the following is a popular dance of Himachal Pradesh?

  • Fugdi
  • Sattriya
  • Jhumar
  • Shand and Shabu

Shand and Shabu are traditional dances of the Lahaul and Spiti district, performed at Buddhist monasteries (gompas) to commemorate the Buddha.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Tlanglam' is a famous dance performed in which Indian state/UT?

  • Mizoram
  • Kerala
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Jammu and Kashmir

Tlanglam is a popular Mizoram folk dance performed by both men and women, marked by graceful hand and foot movements.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

The dance form known as 'Luddi' is popular in which Indian state/UT?

  • Meghalaya
  • Punjab
  • Assam
  • Andaman and Nicobar

Luddi is a Punjabi dance of joy performed to celebrate victory or success. Dancers click fingers, clap and move in a circle with relaxed wavy movements.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Which of the following dance is related to Himachal Pradesh?

  • Pheiphit Lam
  • Garia
  • Hojagiri
  • Chhatrari

Chhatrari (Chhatrari Jatar) is a ritual dance of Chhatrari village in Chamba district, performed at the annual fair for Goddess Shakti with masks, dhol and narsingha.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Which traditional dance of Mizoram is performed to celebrate victory in war?

  • Kodava
  • Chamba
  • So Lakia
  • Dumhal

So Lakia is the dance of the Mara people of Mizoram, originally performed to celebrate victory in war or the successful hunting of a large animal.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Shikaar Nritya is a traditional dance of which Indian state?

  • Meghalaya
  • Gujarat
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Haryana

Shikaar Nritya (Hunting Dance) is a traditional dance of the Khasi community of Meghalaya, depicting tracking and the hunt with bows, arrows and spears.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Badhai' is a famous dance performed in which state?

  • Assam
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Gujarat

Badhai is a Bundelkhand dance of Madhya Pradesh performed on joyful occasions - births, weddings and festivals - to the Dholak and Nagada.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Which of the following festivals is NOT celebrated in Rajasthan?

  • Teej
  • Gangaur
  • Karaga
  • Makar Sankranti

Karaga is a major festival of KARNATAKA (Bengaluru), dedicated to Goddess Draupadi. Teej, Gangaur and Makar Sankranti are Rajasthani festivals.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Spao' is a warrior dance performed in which Indian state/UT?

  • Ladakh
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Bihar
  • Puducherry

Spao is a Ladakhi warrior dance. Men dress in traditional Ladakhi warrior costume and carry swords and shields, performing bold rhythmic movements.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Manjira Nritya' is performed by which community in Gujarat?

  • Padhaar community
  • Mappila community
  • Konyak community
  • Pangal community

Manjira Nritya is performed by the Padhaar community of Gujarat. Dancers use 'Manjiras' (cymbals) while depicting the life of fishermen and the movement of oars.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Which Indian state is known for the folk dance 'Dekhni'?

  • Goa
  • Jharkhand
  • Haryana
  • Uttar Pradesh

Dekhni is a semi-classical Goan dance blending Indian and Portuguese influences. 'Dekhni' means beauty in Konkani.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

In which Indian state is the folk-dance form 'Terah Taali' traditionally performed?

  • Rajasthan
  • Jharkhand
  • Kerala
  • Odisha

Terah Taali is performed by the Kamada tribe of Rajasthan in honour of Baba Ramdev. Thirteen (terah) cymbals are tied to different parts of the body.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Ranapa' is a martial dance associated with which state?

  • Haryana
  • Rajasthan
  • Manipur
  • Odisha

Ranapa is a martial folk dance from the Ganjam district of Odisha. Dancers perform on stilts (bamboo poles) to the beats of drums and pipes.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

'Sattriya Nritya' is the classical dance of which Indian state?

  • Assam
  • Rajasthan
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Odisha

Sattriya originated in the Sattras (monasteries) of Assam in the 15th century, introduced by Srimanta Sankardev to spread Vaishnavism.

SSC CHSL, Nov 2025

Ghoomar means ________ in Rajasthani.

  • Jump
  • Twirl
  • Sing
  • Celebrate

Ghoomar is named after 'ghoom' - the swirling, twirling movement of the layered ghagra as women move in a circular formation.

SSC Phase 13, Aug 2025

Who is credited with reviving the Manipuri dance tradition in the early 20th century?

  • Rabindranath Tagore
  • Uday Shankar
  • Rukmini Devi Arundale
  • Kelucharan Mohapatra

Rabindranath Tagore, impressed after seeing a Manipuri performance in Sylhet, introduced it as a course at Visva-Bharati and brought teachers from Manipur.

SSC Phase 13, Aug 2025

Cheraw, a unique folk dance using bamboo sticks, is performed exclusively in which state?

  • Nagaland
  • Meghalaya
  • Assam
  • Mizoram

Cheraw is Mizoram's signature Bamboo Dance, deeply rooted in Mizo culture and performed during festivals like Chapchar Kut.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which classical dance form is closely linked to the temples of Odisha?

  • Mohiniyattam
  • Odissi
  • Kathak
  • Sattriya

Odissi is a pre-eminent classical dance that originated in the Hindu temples of Odisha, historically performed by Maharis (temple dancers).

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which dance style represents a classical form from the North East region?

  • Kathak
  • Mohiniyattam
  • Manipuri
  • Bharatnatyam

Manipuri (Jagoi) is the only classical dance from the North East, famous for its Ras Leela performances rooted in Vaishnavism.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Sattriya, one of the classical dances of India, originated from ________.

  • Assam
  • Kerala
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Maharashtra

Sattriya was recognised as a classical dance by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000. It is a living tradition created by Srimanta Sankardev in Assam.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which classical dance is associated with the 'Bhagavata Mela' tradition?

  • Bharatanatyam
  • Kathakali
  • Kuchipudi
  • Sattriya

The Bhagavata Mela tradition of Melattur village, Tamil Nadu, shares its technical and aesthetic foundations with Bharatanatyam.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which classical dance form is traditionally performed by male actors only, using elaborate makeup and masks?

  • Kathak
  • Kathakali
  • Odissi
  • Manipuri

Kathakali of Kerala was traditionally performed exclusively by male actors, who also portrayed female characters, with heavy costumes and mask-like makeup.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

The classical dance form Manipuri is traditionally associated with which Indian deity?

  • Shiva
  • Krishna
  • Rama
  • Ganesha

Manipuri revolves around Krishna and the Ras Leela. Shaivite elements exist in local Lai Haraoba festivals, but classical Manipuri centres on Krishna.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Lavani is a traditional dance of which Indian state?

  • Karnataka
  • Punjab
  • West Bengal
  • Maharashtra

Lavani is Maharashtra's vibrant folk dance, characterised by fast tempo, the Dholki, and the nine-yard Nauvari sari.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which dance is characterised by 'Lasya' graceful and feminine movements?

  • Bharatanatyam
  • Mohiniyattam
  • Kathakali
  • Sattriya

Mohiniyattam is entirely in the Lasya style - graceful, gentle, swaying and feminine. Kathakali is predominantly Tandava.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which state is associated with the folk dance form 'Chhau', known for martial and acrobatic themes?

  • Punjab
  • West Bengal
  • Kerala
  • Karnataka

Chhau exists in three regional styles - Purulia (West Bengal), Seraikella (Jharkhand) and Mayurbhanj (Odisha). West Bengal is the correct option here.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

The origin of most classical dance forms in India can be traced back to which ancient text?

  • Natya Shastra
  • Abhinaya Darpana
  • Manusmriti
  • Aranyakas

The Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni is the foundational text for classical dance, music and theatre. Abhinaya Darpana is a later supplementary gesture manual.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

The 'Terah Taali' dance is performed in which state?

  • Punjab
  • Rajasthan
  • Gujarat
  • Assam

Terah Taali is performed by women of the Kamada tribe of Rajasthan, seated on the floor, striking thirteen manjiras devoted to Baba Ramdev.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which classical dance is performed in the 'Ras Leela' style to depict stories of Krishna and Radha?

  • Kathakali
  • Manipuri
  • Kathak
  • Sattriya

Manipuri's signature is the Ras Leela - gentle, floating movements depicting the love of Krishna and Radha.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which folk dance form of Maharashtra is known for its powerful expressions and fast-paced rhythm?

  • Ghoomar
  • Lavani
  • Yakshagana
  • Garba

Lavani is celebrated for dramatic facial expressions, fast footwork and the heavy beat of the Dholki.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which of the following is NOT a folk dance from Gujarat?

  • Dandiya Raas
  • Garba
  • Tippani
  • Gidda

Gidda is a Punjabi folk dance performed exclusively by women. Dandiya Raas, Garba and Tippani are all Gujarati.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Pulikali, a folk art form, involves performers painting themselves as which animal?

  • Tiger
  • Lion
  • Peacock
  • Elephant

Pulikali literally means 'Play of the Tigers'. Performers paint their bodies in yellow, red and black stripes during Onam celebrations in Kerala.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Kalbelia is a snake-charmer folk dance from which state?

  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Rajasthan
  • Assam
  • Punjab

Kalbelia belongs to the nomadic Kalbelia tribe of Rajasthan and is inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

The 'Dhol' is an essential instrument in which Indian folk dance?

  • Garba
  • Ghoomar
  • Bhangra
  • Rouf

Bhangra's driving rhythm comes from the Dhol, the large double-sided drum of Punjab. Without it, Bhangra cannot exist.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which ancient text serves as the primary theoretical foundation for Indian classical dance forms?

  • Natyashastra
  • Arthashastra
  • Sangeet Ratnakar
  • Rigveda

The Natyashastra, attributed to Bharata Muni, codifies dramatic composition, rhythmic structure, body movement and Rasa (aesthetics).

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

The 'Gotipua' tradition is a precursor to which classical dance form?

  • Kathak
  • Odissi
  • Sattriya
  • Kuchipudi

Gotipua boys preserved the core steps and postures of the declining Mahari temple tradition, which eventually shaped modern classical Odissi.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which classical dance originated in a Vaishnavite monastic tradition of Assam?

  • Sattriya
  • Kathak
  • Manipuri
  • Mohiniyattam

Sattriya was created by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev in 15th-century Assam and performed within the Sattras.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

The Sattriya dance form originated in which Indian state?

  • Manipur
  • Assam
  • Kerala
  • Andhra Pradesh

Sattriya is from Assam. Manipur is the birthplace of Ras Leela-focused Manipuri; Kerala has Kathakali and Mohiniyattam; Andhra Pradesh gave Kuchipudi.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

The origin of Kuchipudi dance is linked to which famous saint and teacher?

  • Srimanta Sankardeva
  • Guru Kelu Nair
  • Tirtha Narayan Yati
  • Siddhendra Yogi

Siddhendra Yogi, a 17th-century saint, structured Kuchipudi and composed the dance-drama 'Bhama Kalapam', training young Brahmin boys in it.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which year marks the first performance of Bharatnatyam by Rukmini Devi Arundale on a public stage?

  • 1928
  • 1935
  • 1942
  • 1951

In 1935 Rukmini Devi Arundale performed Bharatanatyam on a public stage for the first time, transforming the stigmatised 'Sadir' into a respected classical art.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

The folk music 'Lavani' is popular in which Indian state?

  • Gujarat
  • Maharashtra
  • Rajasthan
  • Kerala

Lavani combines folk music and dance in Maharashtra, performed by women in the nine-yard Nauvari sari to the Dholki.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

In which dance form do female dancers wear a costume known as 'Mekhela Chador'?

  • Kathakali
  • Sattriya
  • Odissi
  • Mohiniyattam

The Mekhela Chador is the traditional two-piece Assamese silk attire, worn by female Sattriya dancers.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Sitara Devi is recognised as a famous exponent of ________.

  • Mohiniyattam
  • Kathak
  • Kuchipudi
  • Manipuri

Sitara Devi was a towering Kathak dancer known for lightning-fast footwork and dizzying chakkars; honoured with the Padma Shri.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

'Naurata' dance during Navratri is performed in which region?

  • Marwar
  • Vidarbha
  • Konkan
  • Bundelkhand

Naurata is performed by unmarried girls of the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh during the nine-day Navratri festival, to seek a good match.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

The traditional folk dance 'Kunbi' belongs to which region?

  • Assam
  • Mizoram
  • Gujarat
  • Goa

Kunbi is an ancient tribal dance of the indigenous Kunbi community of Goa - a marker of Goa's pre-Portuguese culture. Simple steps, colourful sarees, no heavy jewellery.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Rathwa' dance, associated with the Rathwa tribe, is a traditional folk dance of which Indian state?

  • Rajasthan
  • Odisha
  • Gujarat
  • Mizoram

Rathwa ni Gher is performed by the Rathwa tribe of Chhota Udepur, Gujarat, during Holi. Dancers paint their bodies with white clay and carry long sticks.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Raibenshe' is a dance form of which Indian state/UT?

  • Kerala
  • Puducherry
  • West Bengal
  • Maharashtra

Raibenshe is an energetic martial folk dance of the Birbhum, Bardhaman and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal, using long bamboo sticks (bensh).

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Theru Koothu' is a traditional night-time theatre form of which Indian state?

  • Goa
  • Odisha
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Arunachal Pradesh

Theru Koothu means 'Street Theatre' - a Tamil Nadu folk art performed in the open air at night during Panguni and Aadi, with elaborate makeup and energetic dialogue.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Loor' is a popular dance of which Indian state?

  • Haryana
  • Goa
  • Sikkim
  • Kerala

Loor is rooted in the Bangar region of Haryana, performed exclusively by women during Falgun, coinciding with Holi, with question-and-answer format songs.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

Which theme is portrayed in the 'Shikaar Nritya' folk dance of Gujarat?

  • A farming ritual
  • Rain invocation
  • Recreation of a hunting scene
  • A marriage celebration

Shikaar Nritya (Hunt Dance) of Gujarat recreates a hunting scene. Dancers mimic hunters stalking animals, using traditional bows and arrows as props.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Burrakatha', a traditional ballad that narrates mythological stories, is a folk art of which state?

  • Kerala
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Rajasthan

Burrakatha is an oral storytelling form of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. A troupe has one main narrator with a tambura and two co-performers with small drums.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Chawng Laizawn' is a popular dance of which Indian state/UT?

  • Mizoram
  • Assam
  • Ladakh
  • Chhattisgarh

Chawng Laizawn is performed by the Pawi community of Mizoram on two contrasting occasions - to mourn the death of a husband, and to celebrate a bountiful harvest.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

Which Indian state is famous for the folk dance called 'Kajri'?

  • Assam
  • Punjab
  • Maharashtra
  • Uttar Pradesh

Kajri is a semi-classical folk singing and dance style of the Mirzapur and Varanasi belts of Uttar Pradesh (and neighbouring Bihar), sung to welcome the monsoon.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Titodo' is a traditional folk dance performed by unmarried people in which Indian state?

  • Karnataka
  • Meghalaya
  • West Bengal
  • Gujarat

Titodo is performed by young unmarried people in western Gujarat during festive gatherings, especially the nine nights of Navratri and village weddings.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Kuki' is a folk dance of which Indian state?

  • Gujarat
  • Telangana
  • Karnataka
  • Nagaland

The Kuki folk dance is performed by the Kuki tribes of Nagaland and the neighbouring hills, with intricate footwork celebrating festivals and communal harmony.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Chamfuli', a popular dance performed by men and women in pairs, belongs to which Indian state/UT?

  • Assam
  • Lakshadweep
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Uttarakhand

Chamfuli (Chounphula) belongs to the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, performed by men and women in rhythmic pairs during spring, at Holi and to welcome the harvest.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Jhumti' (often synonymous with Jhumair or Jhumar) is a folk song and dance genre associated with which state?

  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Lakshadweep
  • Andaman and Nicobar
  • Jharkhand

Jhumti/Jhumair is heavily associated with the tribal and rural communities of Jharkhand and the bordering regions of Bihar, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, performed at harvest.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Gaarudi Gombe', performed during major festivals, is a folk dance of which Indian state/UT?

  • Bengal
  • Tripura
  • Jammu and Kashmir
  • Karnataka

Gaarudi Gombe translates to 'magical dolls'. Trained dancers of Karnataka wear gigantic doll suits made of bamboo sticks and papier-mache during festive processions.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

The 'Lion and Peacock' dance is a folk dance of which Indian state/UT?

  • Ladakh
  • Maharashtra
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Arunachal Pradesh

The Lion and Peacock dance is rooted in the Monpa tribe of the Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh. Performers wear elaborate animal masks and mimic animal movements.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Shad Pliang', also known as the 'plate dance', is a traditional folk dance of which Indian state?

  • Bihar
  • Punjab
  • Meghalaya
  • Assam

Shad Pliang is performed primarily by the Khasi community of Meghalaya. Dancers balance earthen plates or brass vessels while moving to traditional beats.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

The dance form 'Sammi' originates from which Indian state?

  • Jharkhand
  • Punjab
  • Gujarat
  • Haryana

Sammi is a vibrant Punjabi folk dance performed exclusively by women on auspicious festive occasions - women form a circle, clap and sing emotional folk songs.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

The dance form 'Ajhi Lhamu', performed by the Monpa tribe, belongs to which Indian state?

  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Arunachal Pradesh

Aji Lamu is performed by the Monpa tribe of the Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh, portraying the story of the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo during Losar.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Bolak-aat' is a folk dance of which Indian state?

  • Nashik
  • Punjab
  • West Bengal
  • Karnataka

Bolak-aat is a martial dance of the Kodava community in the Kodagu (Coorg) region of Karnataka, performed by men with swords to commemorate battlefield victories.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Velakali' is a martial dance performed in which Indian state?

  • Bihar
  • Kerala
  • Punjab
  • Mizoram

Velakali is performed by the Nair warrior community of Kerala using wooden swords and bright shields, showcased at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Theeyattu' is a solo dance-drama of which Indian state?

  • Nagaland
  • Kerala
  • Telangana
  • Goa

Theeyattu (Mudiyettu or Bhadrakali Theeyattu) is a ritualistic solo dance-drama of Kerala, enacted in village temples (Kavus), depicting the battle of Bhadrakali and Darika.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

In which Indian state are 'Chhopati' folk songs traditionally performed?

  • West Bengal
  • Uttarakhand
  • Manipur
  • Haryana

Chhopati are romantic folk songs of the Tehri Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, sung communally by men and women in a question-and-answer format at fairs and festivals.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

Which Indian state is known for the folk dance 'Chohara'?

  • Maharashtra
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Karnataka
  • Himachal Pradesh

Chohara (Chhohara) originates from the mountainous Mahasu region of Himachal Pradesh, performed at village festivals and agricultural celebrations.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Thiruvathirakali' is a popular dance of which Indian state?

  • Odisha
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Karnataka
  • Kerala

Thiruvathirakali (Kaikottikali) is a graceful circular group dance performed by women of Kerala during Onam and on Thiruvathira day, praying for their husbands' long life.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

Which dance form is known as the mother of all other classical dances?

  • Bihu
  • Phag
  • Mohiniyattam
  • Bharatnatyam

Bharatanatyam, originating from the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu, is the oldest surviving classical dance form in India and embodies the principles of the Natya Shastra.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

Which state is famous for the folk dance called 'Joodu Haligi'?

  • Chhattisgarh
  • Karnataka
  • Tripura
  • Uttar Pradesh

Joodu Haligi is unique to Karnataka. Performers continuously beat the round Halagi percussion instrument with sticks while executing rhythmic steps and acrobatics.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

Which state is known for the vigorous tribal community dance called 'Daang'?

  • Goa
  • Punjab
  • Nagaland
  • Gujarat

Daang (Dangi) is performed by the Kokna, Warli and Bhil communities of the Dang district of Gujarat, especially during Holi, in concentric circles forming human pyramids.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Chham Chhanak' dance of Himachal Pradesh is performed by Lamas of Lahaul-Spiti as a tribute to whom?

  • Lord Krishna
  • Guru Nanak
  • Lord Shiva
  • Lord Buddha

Chham Chhanak is a mask dance performed by Buddhist Lamas in the monasteries of Lahaul and Spiti as a tribute to Lord Buddha, symbolising the destruction of evil forces.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Ahirai' is a popular dance associated with which Indian state?

  • Assam
  • Gujarat
  • Maharashtra
  • Madhya Pradesh

Ahirai is a tribal folk dance of the Bharia tribe of Madhya Pradesh, popular in regions like Gwalior and Patalkot, performed to traditional drums at major festivals.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

The dance form known as 'Dhangar' is popular in the state of ________.

  • Gujarat
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Jharkhand
  • Goa

Dhangar is performed by the Dhangar (shepherd) community of Goa during Navratri to worship their local deity Bira Deva. Dancers wear white dress and a turban and dance to the Dhol.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Shakunakhar - Mangalgeet' are related to the region of ________.

  • Vidarbha
  • Saurashtra
  • Konkan
  • Kumaon

Shakunakhar or Mangalgeet are auspicious folk songs of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, sung by women without instruments at marriages and childbirth.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Yakshagana' is a popular dance of which Indian state/UT?

  • Karnataka
  • Tripura
  • Punjab
  • Jammu and Kashmir

Yakshagana is a spectacular theatre and dance form of the coastal and Malnad regions of Karnataka, with elaborate colourful costumes, heavy facial makeup and epic narratives.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Kaakda Nritya' is performed in which state to please the Goddess for protection against pox?

  • Gujarat
  • Karnataka
  • Sikkim
  • West Bengal

Kaakda (Kakada) dance is a religious folk dance of the rural and tribal communities of Gujarat, performed to worship Shitala Mata for protection against smallpox and measles.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Khupielilie' is a folk dance of which Indian state?

  • Nagaland
  • Karnataka
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Andhra Pradesh

Khupielilie is performed by women of the indigenous Sema (Sumi) Naga tribe of Nagaland during major agricultural and community festivals.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

The 'Lava' dance, performed only by males, is a popular folk dance of which Indian union territory?

  • Chandigarh
  • Ladakh
  • Lakshadweep
  • Andaman and Nicobar

Lava is associated with Lakshadweep, particularly Minicoy island. It is performed solely by male dancers in a perfect circular formation to powerful drum beats.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

Which of the following is a traditional dance performed by the 'Wancho' tribe of Arunachal Pradesh?

  • Kummi
  • Lambadi
  • Dindi
  • Ozele

Ozele is performed by the indigenous Wancho tribe of Arunachal Pradesh during the major Oriah festival, celebrating agricultural harvest and community bonding.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

Which traditional dance form, known for its martial style and energetic movements, is performed in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district?

  • Dindi
  • Julli
  • Chari
  • Chhau

Mayurbhanj Chhau is the Odisha style of Chhau. Unlike the Seraikella and Purulia styles which use elaborate masks, the Mayurbhanj style uses NO masks.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

The folk dance 'Chheih Lam' is traditionally performed in which Indian state?

  • Goa
  • Telangana
  • Karnataka
  • Mizoram

Chheih Lam is native to Mizoram. Individuals take turns to dance in the centre of a circle to the rhythms of a bamboo drum and a horn, celebrating a hard day's work.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

Match the dances with the occasions: A. Thiruvathira Kali B. Saila C. Rouf with 1. Eid and weddings 2. Chaitra Parva festival 3. Onam and Shivratri

  • A-3, B-2, C-1
  • A-1, B-3, C-2
  • A-2, B-1, C-3
  • A-3, B-1, C-2

Thiruvathira Kali is performed at Onam and Thiruvathira (Shivratri); Saila at the post-harvest Chaitra Parva; Rouf at Eid and weddings.

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

Match the dances with their costumes: A. Thiruvathira Kali B. Saila C. Rouf with 1. Pheran with embroidered jewels 2. Mundu and Vesthi with Kerala ornaments 3. Colourful sarees/dhotis with tribal ornaments

  • A-3, B-2, C-1
  • A-1, B-2, C-3
  • A-2, B-3, C-1
  • A-2, B-1, C-3

Thiruvathira Kali - Mundu and Vesthi with Kerala ornaments; Saila - colourful tribal attire; Rouf - the Kashmiri Pheran with embroidery.

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

Which folk dance of India uses wooden dummy horses, commemorating ancient battlefield valour?

  • Bhangra
  • Garba
  • Kummi
  • Poikkal Kuthirai

Poikkal Kuthirai ('false horse dance') is from Tamil Nadu. Dancers secure a lightweight wooden dummy horse frame around their waists and require great stamina and balance.

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

Assertion (A): Terah Taali is performed by men of the Kalbelia tribe using swords and fire. Reason (R): The dance involves sitting on the floor with multiple manjeeras tied to the body and struck rhythmically.

  • Both A and R are correct, and R explains A
  • Both A and R are correct, but R does not explain A
  • A is correct, but R is incorrect
  • A is incorrect, but R is correct

The Assertion is wrong on every count: Terah Taali is performed by WOMEN of the Kamad (Kamada) tribe, and involves no swords or fire. The Reason is factually correct.

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

Which dance form involves a blend of classical and folk elements, often featuring male dancers in female attire portraying mythological themes?

  • Mohiniyattam
  • Kathakali
  • Kuchipudi
  • Yakshagana

Yakshagana of Karnataka uniquely blends classical and folk elements. Male performers dress in elaborate female attire - a practice known as 'Stree Vesha'.

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

Which of the following statements about Saang dance is/are correct? 1. Saang is a traditional folk dance of Haryana that often involves male performers dressing as women. 2. The dance usually lasts only a few minutes and is performed indoors during festivals.

  • Only 1
  • Only 2
  • Both 1 and 2 are correct
  • Neither 1 nor 2 is correct

Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong - a Saang performance is an elaborate, dialogue-heavy musical drama that can last up to five hours and is performed OUTDOORS on a raised platform.

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

In which Indian classical dance form is the technique of Chhauka and Tribhangi central to its performance?

  • Kathak
  • Odissi
  • Sattriya
  • Mohiniyattam

Odissi rests on two postures: Tribhanga (three-part bend at neck, torso and knees) and Chhauka (square, grounded stance symbolising Lord Jagannath).

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

Which of the following dance-instrument pairs is correctly matched?

  • Rouf - Dhol and Nagara
  • Saila - Rabab and Harmonium
  • Thiruvathira Kali - Claps and Ilathalam
  • Sattriya - Mridangam and Manjira

Thiruvathira Kali's rhythm comes from synchronised clapping and the metallic sound of the Ilathalam (cymbals). Sattriya uses the Khol drum, not the Mridangam.

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

Which statement is correct regarding the Gugga dance of Haryana?

  • It is performed by women during weddings
  • It is performed by farmers during harvest rituals
  • It is a male devotional dance performed in remembrance of a revered folk saint
  • It is performed during Diwali to honour ancestors

Gugga is a male devotional dance in remembrance of the folk saint Gugga Pir (Jahar Peer). Devotees carry long bamboo sticks decorated with fans and garlands, known as 'Chhari'.

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

Veeranatyam is deeply linked to the story of Daksha Yagna. What role did Veerabhadra play in that myth?

  • Offered his head to Shiva
  • Led the dance of destruction
  • Destroyed the Yagna and decapitated Daksha
  • Saved Sati from fire

When Sati immolated herself at Daksha's yagna, an enraged Shiva plucked a lock of his hair and created Veerabhadra, who destroyed the yagna and decapitated Daksha.

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

Which statement is correct regarding the Chakri folk dance?

  • It is a classical dance form from the Marwar region
  • It is a martial dance popular in the Mewar belt
  • Traditional folk dance of the Hadoti region
  • It is a tribal ritual dance from Shekhawati

Chakri is performed by women of the Kanjar tribe in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan (Kota and Bundi districts). Brightly coloured circular skirts spin like a wheel.

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

Which classical dance, recognised in 2000 as the youngest in the category, is closely linked to Vaishnav monasteries (Sattras) in Assam?

  • Chhau
  • Manipuri
  • Sattriya
  • Mohiniyattam

Sattriya was recognised as the eighth classical dance by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000, making it the youngest in the classical category.

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

Which dance form is correctly paired with its traditional costume?

  • Saila - Mundu and Veshti
  • Thiruvathira Kali - Colourful sarees and shell ornaments
  • Rouf - Pheran with embroidered dress and bangles
  • Thiruvathira Kali - Pheran with earrings and necklace

The authentic Rouf costume is the Kashmiri Pheran - a long embroidered cloak - with silver jewellery and bangles.

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

Chhau dance, seen in Purulia (West Bengal), Seraikella (Jharkhand) and Mayurbhanj (Odisha), is best classified as:

  • Classical, with strong martial elements
  • Pure folk-dance
  • Tribal singing
  • Court ballet

The Ministry of Culture officially recognises Chhau as the 9th classical dance form of the country (though the Sangeet Natak Akademi recognises only eight).

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

Which of the following pairs of dance and musical accompaniment is correctly matched?

  • Thiruvathira Kali - Harmonium and flute
  • Saila - Dhol and Nagara
  • Rouf - Nagara and folk claps
  • Sattriya - Tumbaknari and Rabab

Saila, the post-harvest tribal stick dance of Chhattisgarh, is accompanied by the Dhol, Nagara, Mandar and Timki. Rouf relies on rhythmic vocal singing and footwork.

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

What is the predominant theme of Manipuri dance?

  • War and victory
  • Devotion and love
  • Celebration of harvest
  • Storytelling

Manipuri is rooted in Vaishnavism. Its predominant theme is Bhakti (devotion) and love, specifically the Raslila - the divine love story of Krishna and Radha.

SSC CPO, Dec 2025

What is the thematic focus of the Padam item in Bharatnatyam?

  • Devotional praise
  • Love and divine affection
  • Abstract dance
  • Rhythmic patterns

The Padam is a slow, expressive item focusing on Abhinaya. It explores Sringara (love) and divine affection, usually depicting the yearning of the Nayika for the Supreme Lord.

SSC CPO, Dec 2025

Which of these is NOT a feature of Kathakali performances?

  • Masked performances
  • Actors use facial expressions and hand gestures
  • The performance includes live singing
  • The performance is silent with no vocalization

Kathakali is NOT silent. While dancers do not speak or sing, the performance is accompanied by live vocalists (Ponnani and Sinkidi) who sing the 'Sopanam' style verses.

SSC CPO, Dec 2025

'Raslila' is a traditional dance of which state?

  • Punjab
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Kerala
  • West Bengal

Raslila is a dance-drama from the Braj region (Mathura and Vrindavan) of Uttar Pradesh, depicting Lord Krishna's interactions with the Gopis and Radha.

SSC CPO, Dec 2025

'Lezim' is a folk dance from which state?

  • Goa
  • Maharashtra
  • Rajasthan
  • Punjab

Lezim is from Maharashtra, often performed during the Ganeshotsav festival. Dancers rhythmically play the 'Lezim' - a wooden stick fitted with jingling metal cymbals.

SSC CPO, Dec 2025

What is the primary source of Kathakali's dramatic stories?

  • Folk tales
  • Indian epics
  • Local legends
  • Historical events

Kathakali derives its narrative themes almost entirely from ancient Indian epics - the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas.

SSC CPO, Dec 2025

Which dance from Assam involves a group of dancers performing in circles or rows, often accompanied by drums and pipes, to celebrate the Bihu festival?

  • Bagurumba
  • Bihu
  • Dhol Cholom
  • Hojagiri

The Bihu dance is performed by young men and women arranged in circles or rows during the Rongali Bihu festival (Spring New Year), accompanied by the dhol and pepa (horn).

SSC CPO, Dec 2025

Which of the following is a folk dance of Haryana?

  • Garba
  • Ghoomar
  • Kuchipudi
  • Gidda

While Ghoomar is most famous as a Rajasthani dance, variations of this twirling dance (often called Jhumar or Ghoomar) are widely performed in the bordering regions of Haryana.

SSC CPO, Dec 2025

Which dance form in Manipur involves the use of swords, spears and shields?

  • Ras
  • Thang-Ta
  • Sankirtana
  • Choloms

Thang-Ta literally means 'sword and spear'. Created by the Meitei people, it integrates graceful physical movements with intense combat techniques using real weaponry.

SSC CPO, Dec 2025

What is unique about Kuchipudi performances?

  • They are performed as solos only
  • They combine dance, mime, and acting
  • They have no vocal music
  • They focus on martial arts

Kuchipudi seamlessly combines dance, expressive mime and theatrical acting. Dancers actively use 'Vachikabhinaya' - lip-syncing or uttering dialogues while dancing.

SSC CPO, Dec 2025

Where did Bharatanatyam originate?

  • Maharashtra
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Kerala

Bharatanatyam is the oldest and one of the most prestigious classical dance traditions of India, originating in the Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu, nurtured by the Devadasis.

SSC CPO, Dec 2025

Which dance is performed with bamboo staves in Mizoram?

  • Chang Lo
  • Maruni
  • Cheraw
  • Ghoomar

Cheraw is characterised by the intense rhythmic use of long bamboo staves. Men tap and clash the bamboos while women step gracefully in and out of the shifting squares.

SSC CPO, Dec 2025

Chhau dance is practiced in which regions of India?

  • Northern India (UP, HP, Uttarakhand)
  • Eastern India (Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal)
  • Southern India (Telangana, AP, Tamil Nadu)
  • Western India (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan)

Chhau exists in three distinct regional styles named after their locations: Seraikella in Jharkhand, Purulia in West Bengal, and Mayurbhanj in Odisha - all in Eastern India.

SSC CPO, Dec 2025

Which traditional dance from Uttar Pradesh involves women carrying lighted oil lamps on their heads?

  • Charkula
  • Raslila
  • Giddha
  • Bhangra

Charkula is from the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh. Veiled women dance while carrying a massive multi-tiered wooden pyramid (Charkula) bearing 108 lit oil lamps on their heads.

SSC CPO, Dec 2025

Which classical dance form is closely associated with the temples of Tamil Nadu and evolved from the Devadasi tradition?

  • Bharatanatyam
  • Kuchipudi
  • Mohiniyattam
  • Kathak

Bharatanatyam evolved directly from 'Sadir', the sacred dance performed by female temple dancers called Devadasis in the temples of Tamil Nadu.

SSC CHSL Tier 2, Apr 2026

To which Indian state does the Kalbelia dance, recognised by UNESCO, belong?

  • Rajasthan
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Haryana
  • Madhya Pradesh

Kalbelia is performed by the nomadic Kalbelia tribe of Rajasthan. UNESCO inscribed it on its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010.

SSC CHSL Tier 2, Apr 2026

The classical dance form of Kerala known for its elaborate costumes and facial makeup is:

  • Mohiniyattam
  • Kathakali
  • Odissi
  • Sattriya

Kathakali is distinguished by its towering headgear, oversized costumes and vividly painted, stylised facial makeup. Mohiniyattam by contrast uses simple white-and-gold attire.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which classical Indian dance form uses the 'Chauka' stance as a foundational posture, symbolising stability and strength?

  • Odissi
  • Bharatanatyam
  • Kathak
  • Kuchipudi

Odissi relies on two postures: the graceful Tribhanga and the rigid, wide-squatting Chauka, which symbolises stability, strength and divine masculine energy, inspired by Lord Jagannath.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which is a devotional folk dance of Tamil Nadu performed in praise of Lord Murugan?

  • Theyyam
  • Pulikali
  • Kavadi Aattam
  • Bhangra

Kavadi Aattam (Burden Dance) is performed by devotees of Lord Murugan. During Thaipusam, pilgrims carry decorated wooden or bamboo structures (Kavadi) on their shoulders.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which folk dance of Karnataka combines dance, music, dialogue, costume and stage techniques with a unique style?

  • Bihu
  • Yakshagana
  • Chhau
  • Kolattam

Yakshagana amalgamates expressive dance, live classical music, extempore dialogue, towering headgear and vibrantly painted facial makeup, usually performed from dusk to dawn.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Regarding the Kathakali dance form, which of the following statements is correct?

  • The faces are primarily painted in colours that match their stories, such as green for villains
  • The dance is known for its wild steps and gentle upper-body movements
  • The dancers utilise raw expressions, body movements, and shoulder gestures to convey emotion
  • It is distinguished by two styles: the northern thekkan and the southern vadakkan

Kathakali uses a colour-coded makeup system: Pacha (green) for noble characters, Kathi for arrogant villains, Kari (black) for hunters, Minukku for female characters. Note: green actually marks the NOBLE, so read the option set carefully.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which dance is known for 'thumri' and light classical compositions in accompaniment?

  • Kathak
  • Odissi
  • Mohiniyattam
  • Bharatnatyam

Kathak is intrinsically linked to Thumri - a semi-classical Hindustani vocal genre of romantic and devotional themes revolving around Radha and Krishna.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which dance form incorporates the 'Tarangam' technique (dancing on the edge of a brass plate)?

  • Kuchipudi
  • Bharatanatyam
  • Odissi
  • Kathak

Tarangam is a virtuoso sequence unique to Kuchipudi. The dancer balances on the sharp edges of a brass plate, sometimes while balancing a pot of water on the head.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which classical dance uses highly stylised facial expressions, known as 'Navarasas', to convey emotions?

  • Odissi
  • Manipuri
  • Bharatanatyam
  • Kathakali

Kathakali relies almost exclusively on the Navarasas - the nine fundamental emotions - communicated through subtle isolated movements of the eyes, eyebrows, cheeks and chin.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which dance form of Karnataka is based on stories from the epics?

  • Garba
  • Mohiniyattam
  • Kuchipudi
  • Yakshagana

Yakshagana combines vivid costumes, massive headgear, dance and live Carnatic music to narrate grand stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

'Bagurumba' is a folk dance associated with which Indian state, performed by the Bodo community?

  • West Bengal
  • Odisha
  • Maharashtra
  • Assam

Bagurumba is intrinsic to the Bodo community of Assam. Called the 'butterfly dance' for the women's fluttering hand movements, it is performed during the spring Bwisagu festival.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which of the following best describes the Sattriya dance?

  • A dance performed only during festivals
  • A dance performed solely by female dancers
  • A casual form of entertainment in Assam
  • A dance with specific grammar and emotive facial expressions

Sattriya is governed by a highly specific ancient grammatical structure involving complex mudras, precise rhythmic footwork and emotive abhinaya depicting tales of Krishna.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which folk dance of Gujarat is performed during Navaratri?

  • Giddha
  • Lavani
  • Tamasha
  • Garba

Garba is performed in massive concentric circles by men and women every night during the nine-night festival of Navratri, around a centrally lit clay lantern (Garbha Deep).

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which folk music form is associated with devotional songs in praise of deities?

  • Qawwali
  • Dandiya
  • Baul
  • Bhajan

The Bhajan is explicitly and purely dedicated to the lyrical singing of devotional songs praising Hindu deities, sung across India in temples and homes.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

'Mayurbhanj Chhau' is a classical martial folk dance. Which Indian state is known for this dance?

  • West Bengal
  • Jharkhand
  • Maharashtra
  • Odisha

The Mayurbhanj Chhau style is native to the tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj district of Odisha and uniquely does NOT use heavy masks, unlike the other two styles.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which classical dance form of India is predominantly based on the Abhinaya Darpana text by Nandikeshwara?

  • Kathakali
  • Kuchipudi
  • Odissi
  • Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam's core technical curriculum for facial expressions, hand mudras and body postures derives most directly from Nandikeshwara's Abhinaya Darpana (The Mirror of Gesture).

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which dance form of India is performed predominantly by women wearing white sarees with gold borders?

  • Kathakali
  • Bharatanatyam
  • Odissi
  • Mohiniyattam

Mohiniyattam, 'Dance of the Enchantress', is identified by the Kasavu sari - a pristine white or off-white sari with striking gold-laced borders.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which dance form from Tamil Nadu is traditionally performed in temples as a form of offering to the deity?

  • Kathak
  • Kuchipudi
  • Mohiniyattam
  • Bharatanatyam

Bharatanatyam originated within the sacred precincts of ancient Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu. Known historically as 'Sadir Attam', it was performed by Devadasis as ritual offering.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

The main narrative focus of Odissi dance predominantly depicts which theme?

  • Ramayana
  • Mahabharata
  • Shiva Tandava
  • Krishna Leela

Odissi's predominant narrative revolves around the 'Krishna Leela', drawing directly from Jayadeva's 12th-century Sanskrit epic, the Gita Govinda.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

'Kalbelia' is a folk dance associated with which Indian state, characterised by serpentine movements inspired by snakes?

  • Gujarat
  • Maharashtra
  • Punjab
  • Rajasthan

Kalbelia is tied to the nomadic snake-charming Kalbelia tribe of Rajasthan. The heavily embroidered black swirling skirts spin to mimic a cobra's undulating movement.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

The 'Phag Dance' is connected to seasonal festivities in India. During which festival is it traditionally performed?

  • Diwali
  • Navratri
  • Baisakhi
  • Holi

The Phag (Phagun) dance is native to Haryana and is performed during Holi, which falls in the lunar month of Phalgun, to the beats of the Tasha and Dhol.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Sattriya music and dance are classical traditions from which Indian state, associated with monasteries and devotional storytelling?

  • Odisha
  • Manipur
  • West Bengal
  • Assam

Sattriya is a 500-year-old tradition of Assam, conceptualised in the 15th century by Srimanta Sankardev and nurtured within monasteries known as 'Sattras'.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Kuchipudi is a classical dance of India. Which state is the origin of Kuchipudi?

  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Karnataka
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Odisha

Kuchipudi originated in the village named Kuchipudi in the Krishna district of modern-day Andhra Pradesh. It is distinguished by its use of speech and fluid movements.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

Which folk dance from Bihar features male performers cross-dressing as women, entertaining audiences during festivals?

  • Launda Naach
  • Bidesia
  • Jhijhiya
  • Jhumar

Launda Naach is a Bihari folk art (popularised by Bhikhari Thakur) where men dress in colourful saris and perform female roles at weddings and festivals.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

Which classical dance form is associated with the Vaishnavite monasteries of Assam and was introduced by Srimanta Sankardev?

  • Manipuri
  • Sattriya
  • Kathak
  • Bharatnatyam

Sattriya was introduced in the 15th century by Srimanta Sankardev as a medium for propagating the Vaishnava faith through monasteries called 'Sattras'.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

The 'Chholiya' dance is traditionally associated with which Indian state, performed as a martial-style dance during weddings?

  • Uttarakhand
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Punjab
  • Rajasthan

Chholiya is a fast-paced sword dance native to the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. Dancers wear traditional Rajput attire and wield swords and shields during marriage processions.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

Which classical dance from Odisha is renowned for depicting Krishna Leela through intricate gestures, expressions and storytelling?

  • Odissi
  • Bharatanatyam
  • Kathak
  • Mohiniyattam

Odissi originated in the Hindu temples of Odisha, is deeply rooted in Vaishnavism, and uses the characteristic 'Tribhanga' posture to depict Radha and Krishna.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

Bhangra is a famous folk dance of which Indian state?

  • Haryana
  • Rajasthan
  • Punjab
  • Himachal Pradesh

Bhangra originates in the Punjab region, performed during the Baisakhi festival and the spring harvest, characterised by the rhythmic beats of the dhol.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

Which Indian classical dance is famous for elaborate costumes, heavy jewellery and complex facial makeup?

  • Kathak
  • Kathakali
  • Kuchipudi
  • Mohiniyattam

Kathakali's makeup (like 'Pacha' and 'Kathi') can take hours to apply and is used to distinguish character types - gods, demons and villains.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

Sattriya dance was recognised as a classical dance form by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in:

  • 1947
  • 1955
  • 2000
  • 2011

Sattriya was officially conferred the status of a Classical Dance by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in the year 2000 - making it the youngest of the eight.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

Which folk music style is associated with Punjab, known for energetic dance, high tempo rhythms, and performance during harvest?

  • Bihu
  • Lavani
  • Bhangra
  • Baul

Bhangra is strictly native to Punjab, characterised by the heavy infectious beats of the 'dhol' drum, performed by men during the Baisakhi harvest festival.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

'Gidda' is a traditional folk dance of India. Which group of people traditionally performs Gidda?

  • Women in Punjab
  • Men in Rajasthan
  • Women in Gujarat
  • Men in Assam

Gidda is performed exclusively by the women of the Punjab region during festive occasions like Teeyan, Lohri and weddings. It is the female counterpart to Bhangra.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

'Dalkhai' is a folk dance performed in which Indian state, showcasing women's rhythmic movements during festivals?

  • Odisha
  • Assam
  • Gujarat
  • Rajasthan

Dalkhai originates in the tribal belts of western Odisha (Sambalpur), performed by young women at Dussehra, Bhaijiuntia and Phagun Puni, with male drummers.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

Which dance style represents a classical form from the North East region?

  • Kathak
  • Mohiniyattam
  • Manipuri
  • Bharatanatyam

Among the eight classical dances, Manipuri is the only one that originates from the North East, dedicated to the Ras Leela of Radha and Krishna.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

The classical dance 'Mohiniyattam' is performed mainly by:

  • Male artists
  • Female artists
  • Both equally
  • Tribal groups

Mohiniyattam, 'the dance of the enchantress', is rooted in the delicate 'Lasya' style and is traditionally performed as a solo recital exclusively by female artists.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

The folk dance 'Dollu Kunitha' is popular in India. Which state is associated with this dance, characterised by vigorous drum-based performances?

  • Karnataka
  • Kerala
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Andhra Pradesh

Dollu Kunitha is performed by men of the shepherd (Kuruba) community of Karnataka honouring their deity Beeralingeswara, with massive hollow drums slung around their necks.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

'Garba' is performed primarily to honour which Hindu deity?

  • Goddess Durga
  • Lord Krishna
  • Lord Shiva
  • Goddess Lakshmi

Garba honours Goddess Durga (Amba) during Navratri. Dancers move in concentric circles around a lit lamp (Garbha Deep) or an idol of the Goddess.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

'Tamasha' is a regional dance-theatre form. Which Indian state is traditionally associated with it?

  • Maharashtra
  • Gujarat
  • Rajasthan
  • Kerala

Tamasha is Marathi folk theatre featuring vigorous dancing, spontaneous singing and satirical storytelling, often accompanied by the Lavani dance and the Dholki drum.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

Chhattisgarhi Pandavani songs are a form of traditional folk narrative. Which epic do these songs primarily narrate?

  • Mahabharata
  • Ramayana
  • Puranas
  • Folk tales

Pandavani literally means 'Tales of the Pandavas'. It recites epic stories from the Mahabharata, often portraying Bhima as the fiery protagonist. Exponent: Teejan Bai (Kapalik style).

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

Chhau dance is primarily performed in which Indian states, blending martial, folk and tribal elements?

  • Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka
  • Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh
  • Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka
  • Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand

Chhau is performed in three distinct regional styles - Seraikella (Jharkhand), Purulia (West Bengal) and Mayurbhanj (Odisha) - all indigenous to eastern India.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

Which folk dance uses 'Ghumar' as a primary dance step, characterised by graceful circular movements performed mainly by women?

  • Rajasthani folk dance
  • Bhangra
  • Garba
  • Lavani

Ghoomar is native to Rajasthan, developed by the Bhil tribe and adopted by the Rajputs. Women wear swirling ghaghras and pirouette in and out of a wide circle.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

Which Indian state is renowned for Giddha, a lively folk dance performed by women featuring traditional songs and colourful attire?

  • Punjab
  • Gujarat
  • Rajasthan
  • Haryana

Giddha is indigenous to Punjab, performed exclusively by women standing in a circle, rhythmically clapping and singing teasing folk couplets called 'Boliyan'.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

Which dance is considered the 'graceful feminine dance' of Kerala, known for gentle movements, subtle expressions and slow rhythmic steps?

  • Mohiniyattam
  • Bharatanatyam
  • Kathakali
  • Kuchipudi

Mohiniyattam embodies the delicate 'Lasya' style of performance, characterised by slow swaying movements and subtle facial expressions, performed solo by women.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

'Rouf' is a folk dance originating from which Indian region, performed traditionally by women using rhythmic movements in circular formations?

  • Jammu & Kashmir
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Punjab
  • Uttarakhand

Rouf is a springtime folk dance of the Kashmir valley, performed by Kashmiri women during Eid and Ramzan. Dancers stand in two facing rows, interlocking arms.

Delhi Police Constable, Jan 2026

The folk dance 'Sambalpuri' is associated with which Indian state, performed during cultural celebrations with distinctive costumes and steps?

  • Odisha
  • Assam
  • Rajasthan
  • Gujarat

Sambalpuri is a rhythmic folk dance of western Odisha, performed wearing the traditional Sambalpuri handloom saree (Bandhakala) during festivals.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

'Sadir' was the old name for which classical dance form?

  • Kuchipudi
  • Odissi
  • Kathak
  • Bharatanatyam

'Sadir', also historically known as Dasi Attam, was the ancient precursor and original name of Bharatanatyam.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which dance form is characterised by the prominent use of 'ghungroos' (ankle bells) and rhythmic footwork with intricate tala patterns?

  • Mohiniyattam
  • Odissi
  • Sattriya
  • Kathak

Kathak is renowned for spectacular lightning-fast footwork (Tatkar), rapid spins (Chakkars) and the heavy use of hundreds of ghungroos.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which classical dance form was traditionally performed by Maharis (female temple dancers) in the sanctum of the Jagannath Temple?

  • Sattriya
  • Mohiniyattam
  • Kathak
  • Odissi

Odissi was traditionally performed by 'Maharis' - dedicated female temple dancers - within the inner sanctum of the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Guru Bipin Singh is recognised as a famous Guru and exponent of which classical dance form?

  • Kuchipudi
  • Kathakali
  • Kathak
  • Manipuri

Guru Bipin Singh dedicated his life to codifying and popularising the graceful Manipuri classical dance form.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Statement I: The Odissi dance form, associated with Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, originated from traditions including the Maharis-Devadasis and Gotipua. Statement II: The Sattriya form's two main postures, purusha and prakriti, are performed in 64 basic exercises called sarpa and gopir nach.

  • Statement I is false, but Statement II is true
  • Both Statement I and Statement II are true
  • Both Statement I and Statement II are false
  • Statement I is true, but Statement II is false

Statement I is factual. Statement II is wrong on terminology - Sattriya's 64 fundamental exercises are historically called 'Mati Akhara', not 'sarpa and gopir nach'.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which dance form evolved in the regions of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan?

  • Odissi
  • Kuchipudi
  • Sattriya
  • Kathak

Kathak evolved in Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow and Banaras gharanas) and Rajasthan (Jaipur gharana), originating from the 'Kathakars' or nomadic storytellers.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

The traditional dance form 'Sattriya' originates from which region?

  • Tamil Nadu
  • Kerala
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Assam

Sattriya originated in the eastern state of Assam during the 15th-century Bhakti movement, spearheaded by Srimanta Sankardev.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Folk-dance forms are deeply rooted in specific social contexts and locations because they represent what aspect of the community?

  • Economic practices and trades
  • Beliefs, rituals, and symbolism
  • Political structures and leadership
  • Religious texts and philosophies

Unlike classical dances based on strict texts like the Natya Shastra, folk dances organically reflect a community's indigenous beliefs, harvest rituals and localised symbolism.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Where is the Gaud Maria dance, performed by the Bison Horn Maria community during occasions like births and marriages, primarily performed?

  • Nagaland
  • Koraput
  • Bastar
  • Thanjavur

The Gaud Maria (Gaur Maria) dance is performed by the Bison Horn Maria tribes residing in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, wearing headgear adorned with actual bison horns.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which region is known for the traditional Sattriya dance?

  • Assam
  • Odisha
  • Kerala
  • Manipur

Sattriya originates in Assam, conceptualised in the 15th century by Srimanta Sankardev as one-act plays called 'Ankiya Nat' performed in monasteries (Sattras).

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which traditional pose is a characteristic feature of Odissi dance?

  • Aramandi
  • Atimandala
  • Tribhanga
  • Sama Sthana

The 'Tribhanga' (three-bend) pose is the iconic characteristic of Odissi, bending the head, torso and knees, mirroring temple sculptures across Odisha.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Bharatanatyam is a dance form from which region, known for its geometric movements and strong footwork?

  • Kerala
  • Karnataka
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Tamil Nadu

Bharatanatyam is deeply rooted in the ancient Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu, structurally characterised by geometric body postures (the Aramandi half-sit) and rapid footwork.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which of the following classical dance forms uses 'Padams' extensively to convey subtle expressions?

  • Kathak
  • Odissi
  • Bharatanatyam
  • Mohiniyattam

In the Bharatanatyam repertoire, a 'Padam' is a slow-paced musical composition designed to showcase Abhinaya - facial expressions and hand gestures.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

The technique of 'Tatkaar' is most associated with which classical dance?

  • Bharatanatyam
  • Kathak
  • Odissi
  • Sattriya

Tatkaar is the fundamental footwork technique of Kathak - fast, intricate, rhythmic stamping producing resonant sounds enhanced by heavy ghungroos.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Bihu is a folk dance form of which state?

  • Assam
  • Manipur
  • Mizoram
  • Nagaland

Bihu is the indigenous folk dance of Assam, performed during the Rongali Bihu festival to celebrate the Assamese New Year and the spring harvest.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025

Which of the following dances is traditionally performed in the state of Nagaland?

  • Shon
  • Leshalaptu
  • Phulpati
  • Lezim

Leshalaptu is a traditional folk dance of the Ao Naga tribe of Nagaland, performed during harvest festivals and community celebrations.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

'Jhanjhar' is a popular dance of which of the following Indian states?

  • Jharkhand
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Maharashtra
  • Himachal Pradesh

Jhanjhar (Jhanjar) is a popular folk dance of Himachal Pradesh, performed especially by women. It is named after the 'jhanjhar' - ankle bells worn by the dancers.

SSC MTS, Feb 2026

Which classical dance form is traditionally performed by male monks in monasteries, and integrates Vaishnavite themes from the Bhagavata Purana?

  • Kathak
  • Manipuri
  • Sattriya
  • Kuchipudi

Sattriya was traditionally performed by male monks (Bhokots) in the Sattras of Assam as part of their daily rituals, drawing themes from the Bhagavata Purana.

Delhi Police HCM, Jan 2026

Which folk dance is performed with long sticks and is associated with Krishna's playful activities?

  • Garba
  • Dandiya Raas
  • Bihu
  • Gidda

Dandiya Raas of Gujarat is performed with long decorated sticks and is deeply associated with the Raas Leela of Lord Krishna and Radha. Garba uses no sticks.

Delhi Police Constable, Dec 2025