Tricks to Remember Important Folk Dances for Competitive Exams: A Complete Easy Guide With 100 MCQs

Table of Contents

Folk Dances of Bihar

Code: J, B, J, K, P, K, J, D, J, S.

Story: Joyful Boys Join Kind People. Kind Judges Dance Joyfully, Smiling.

1. Jat-Jatin

Community/Tribe: Rural communities of Mithila and Kosi regions.
Occasion/Festival: Performed during the monsoon season (typically on moonlit nights).
Theme/Purpose: Depicts the story of the love and domestic quarrels of a legendary couple, Jata and Jatin.
Costumes and Props: Traditional rural attire; dancers often wear masks or specific makeup to distinguish roles.
Music/Instruments: Dholak and Harmonium.
Gender Participation: Both (mostly performed by pairs).
Type: Social / Narrative.
Important Facts: It is one of the most popular folk dances of North Bihar; it reflects the complexities of human relationships and social conditions like droughts.

2. Bideshiya

Community/Tribe: Created by Bhikhari Thakur (The “Shakespeare of Bhojpuri”).
Occasion/Festival: Social gatherings and village fairs.
Theme/Purpose: Social issues, specifically the pain of women whose husbands migrate to cities for work.
Costumes and Props: Simple dhotis and sarees; involves heavy theatrical makeup.
Music/Instruments: Dholak, Sarangi, and Harmonium.
Gender Participation: Men (traditionally, men play the female roles).
Type: Folk Theater / Social.
Important Facts: It is more of a dance-drama; it played a massive role in social reform and awareness in the 20th century.

3. Jhijhiya

Community/Tribe: Women of Bihar.
Occasion/Festival: Performed during Navratri (Dussehra).
Theme/Purpose: A prayer to Goddess Durga to protect the community from “evil eyes” and bring rain.
Costumes and Props: Women balance clay lanterns (earthen pots) with holes and burning lamps on their heads.
Music/Instruments: Dholak and Cymbals.
Gender Participation: Women.
Type: Ritual / Religious.
Important Facts: The dance requires extreme balance. If the lamp goes out, it is considered an ill omen.

4. Kajari

Community/Tribe: General rural population.
Occasion/Festival: Sawan (Monsoon season).
Theme/Purpose: Expressing joy for the rains and the longing for a beloved.
Costumes and Props: Colorful sarees and traditional ornaments.
Music/Instruments: Dholak and Jhala.
Gender Participation: Primarily Women.
Type: Seasonal / Social.
Important Facts: It is often accompanied by “Kajari” folk songs; it is a celebration of the feminine spirit and nature.

5. Paika Dance

Community/Tribe: Warrior communities (Munda and other tribes in border areas).
Occasion/Festival: Weddings and religious processions.
Theme/Purpose: Martial arts display and showing physical prowess/bravery.
Costumes and Props: Dancers carry Shields and Swords and wear colorful turbans.
Music/Instruments: Nagada (drum) and Shehnai.
Gender Participation: Men.
Type: Martial / Folk.
Important Facts: “Paika” refers to foot soldiers; the dance is a highly energetic display of mock battle.

6. Karma Dance

Community/Tribe: Tribal groups like Oraon, Munda, and Santhal.
Occasion/Festival: Karma Festival (Bhadrapada month).
Theme/Purpose: Worship of the “Karma” tree to seek good fortune and destiny.
Costumes and Props: Traditional tribal wear with feathers and bead jewelry.
Music/Instruments: Thumak (drum) and Flute.
Gender Participation: Both.
Type: Ritual / Agricultural.
Important Facts: Dancers move in a circle around a branch of the Karma tree planted in the center.

7. Jumari (Jhumeri)

Community/Tribe: Married women of Mithila.
Occasion/Festival: Performed during the Kartik month (autumn harvest).
Theme/Purpose: Celebration of nature and marital bliss.
Costumes and Props: Traditional jewelry and bright sarees.
Music/Instruments: Dholak and rhythmic clapping.
Gender Participation: Women.
Type: Social / Seasonal.
Important Facts: It bears a resemblance to the Garba of Gujarat, focusing on circular movements.

8. Domkach

Community/Tribe: General family members (Mithila and Bhojpur).
Occasion/Festival: Performed at the groom’s house after the Baraat (wedding procession) leaves.
Theme/Purpose: Entertainment and protection of the house from thieves.
Costumes and Props: Dancers often dress in funny costumes or cross-dress.
Music/Instruments: Spoon-clapping, Dholak, and singing.
Gender Participation: Women.
Type: Social / Ritual.
Important Facts: Since only women are left at home during the wedding, they perform this to stay awake and ward off intruders with humor and noise.

9. Jharni Dance

Community/Tribe: Julaha (weaver) community.
Occasion/Festival: Performed during Muharram.
Theme/Purpose: Ritualistic mourning and sorrow.
Costumes and Props: Simple attire; dancers carry split bamboo sticks.
Music/Instruments: Rhythmic sound made by striking the bamboo sticks.
Gender Participation: Men.
Type: Ritual / Religious.
Important Facts: It is a unique form of mourning where the rhythm of the sticks expresses the grief of the community.

10. Sohar Dance

Community/Tribe: All communities.
Occasion/Festival: Performed upon the birth of a child.
Theme/Purpose: Celebrating the new addition to the family.
Costumes and Props: Traditional festive wear.
Music/Instruments: Dholak and Harmonium.
Gender Participation: Both (often involves family members and eunuchs).
Type: Social / Ritual.
Important Facts: “Sohar” is actually a genre of folk songs that are sung specifically to bless the newborn and the mother.

Folk Dances of Chhattisgarh

Code: P, R, P, S, K, G, G, S, K, C.

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Story: Proud Royals Protect Sacred Kingdoms. Good Girls Sing Kind Chants.

1. Panthi Dance

Community/Tribe: Satnami Community.
Occasion/Festival: Performed on Guru Ghasidas Jayanti (Maghi Purnima).
Theme/Purpose: Devotional; spreading the messages and philosophies of Guru Ghasidas.
Costumes and Props: Dancers wear simple white dhotis and “Ghungroos.”
Music/Instruments: Mridang and Manjira (cymbals).
Gender Participation: Men.
Type: Ritual / Religious.
Important Facts: Known for its incredible speed and human pyramids. It reflects the spirit of sacrifice and devotion.

2. Raut Nacha

Community/Tribe: Yadav/Ahir (cowherd) community.
Occasion/Festival: Performed during Diwali (specifically on Dev Uthani Ekadashi).
Theme/Purpose: Worship of Lord Krishna; represents the battle between Krishna and King Kansa.
Costumes and Props: Dancers wear bright, embellished jackets and carry decorated sticks and shields.
Music/Instruments: Dholak and flute.
Gender Participation: Men.
Type: Social / Religious.
Important Facts: It is very similar to the “Ras Leela” of North India. The dancers often recite “Dohas” (couplets) during the performance.

3. Pandavani

Community/Tribe: Various tribal and rural communities.
Occasion/Festival: Social gatherings and festivals.
Theme/Purpose: Narrative storytelling of the Mahabharata (the story of Pandavas).
Costumes and Props: The lead performer holds a Tambura (stringed instrument) decorated with peacock feathers.
Music/Instruments: Tambura and Kartal.
Gender Participation: Both (Famous styles include Vedmati and Kapalik).
Type: Folk Theater / Narrative.
Important Facts: Teejan Bai is the most famous world-renowned performer of this art form. The Tambura is used as a prop to represent a mace, a bow, or a sword.

4. Suwa (Sua) / Parrot Dance

Community/Tribe: Tribal women (Gond, Baiga, etc.).
Occasion/Festival: Performed during Diwali.
Theme/Purpose: Symbolic; women express their feelings to their beloveds through a “parrot” messenger.
Costumes and Props: Women dance in a circle around a basket containing a wooden parrot.
Music/Instruments: Rhythm is created by clapping; no external musical instruments are usually used.
Gender Participation: Women.
Type: Social / Symbolic.
Important Facts: Dancers mimic the movement of a parrot (Suwa) by bending and swaying.

5. Karma Dance

Community/Tribe: Gond, Baiga, and Oraon tribes.
Occasion/Festival: Karma Festival (autumn).
Theme/Purpose: Worship of the Karma tree; prayer for a good destiny.
Costumes and Props: Traditional tribal jewelry and peacock feathers.
Music/Instruments: Thumki, Payri, and Chhalla.
Gender Participation: Both.
Type: Ritual / Agricultural.
Important Facts: It marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of spring. It is a common dance across Central India (Bihar, Jharkhand, MP, CG).

6. Gendi (Stilt Dance)

Community/Tribe: Gond Tribe.
Occasion/Festival: Performed during the rainy season and festivals like Hareli.
Theme/Purpose: To navigate flooded areas or muddy terrain (historically) and for entertainment.
Costumes and Props: Two bamboo stilts (Gendi) on which the dancers balance.
Music/Instruments: Dholak and drums.
Gender Participation: Men.
Type: Social / Skill-based.
Important Facts: Requires immense balance and physical coordination; it is a highlight of Chhattisgarh’s rural sports and culture.

7. Gaur Maria Dance

Community/Tribe: Bison Horn Maria (a sub-tribe of Gond) in Bastar.
Occasion/Festival: Weddings and major tribal festivals.
Theme/Purpose: Depicting the thrill of a hunt and the bravery of the tribe.
Costumes and Props: Men wear a spectacular headgear made of Bison horns decorated with cowrie shells.
Music/Instruments: Large drums and brass bells.
Gender Participation: Both.
Type: Ritual / Tribal.
Important Facts: Considered one of the most colorful and powerful tribal dances in India.

8. Saila Dance

Community/Tribe: Tribal youth of the Bastar region.
Occasion/Festival: Post-harvest season.
Theme/Purpose: Celebration of a successful harvest.
Costumes and Props: Dancers carry sticks and sometimes wear small bells (ghungroos) on their feet.
Music/Instruments: Mandar (drum).
Gender Participation: Men.
Type: Seasonal / Social.
Important Facts: It involves a “snake-like” movement where dancers hold each other’s sticks and move in a zigzag pattern.

9. Kaksar Dance

Community/Tribe: Abujhmaria Tribe (Bastar).
Occasion/Festival: Performed before the harvest season to pray for a good crop.
Theme/Purpose: Religious; to seek blessings from the deity Kaksar.
Costumes and Props: Men wear bells at their waists to create a rhythmic sound while dancing.
Music/Instruments: Mandar and cymbals.
Gender Participation: Both.
Type: Ritual / Social.
Important Facts: It is also a “courtship dance” where young boys and girls have the opportunity to choose life partners.

10. Cherchera Dance

Community/Tribe: Rural agricultural communities.
Occasion/Festival: Cherchera Festival (Full moon day of Paush month).
Theme/Purpose: Celebrating the joy of a full granary.
Costumes and Props: Festive tribal wear.
Music/Instruments: Traditional drums and folk songs.
Gender Participation: Both.
Type: Seasonal / Harvest.
Important Facts: During this festival, people go house to house asking for grains as a “charity” (Daan), accompanied by this dance.

Folk Dances of Goa

Code: F, D, D, G, G, L, M, K, M, S, V.

Story: Fishermen Dance During Goa Gatherings, Ladies Move with Lamps, Kunbi Music Shows Vibrance.

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1. Fugdi

Community/Tribe: Women of various communities (Hindu and Christian).
Occasion/Festival: Performed during Ganesh Chaturthi, Vratas, and weddings.
Theme/Purpose: Social joy and relaxation from domestic chores.
Costumes and Props: Traditional sarees tucked in a specific way; no props used.
Music/Instruments: No instruments; the rhythm is created by the “Foo” sound blown through the mouth.
Gender Participation: Women.
Type: Social.
Important Facts: It is a high-energy dance where women form circles or pairs, increasing speed until they are spinning rapidly.

2. Dhalo

Community/Tribe: Rural women.
Occasion/Festival: Performed in the month of Pausha (winter).
Theme/Purpose: Prayers for the protection of families and a good harvest.
Costumes and Props: Traditional Goan sarees and floral hair ornaments.
Music/Instruments: Folk songs sung by the women themselves.
Gender Participation: Women.
Type: Ritual / Social.
Important Facts: It is much slower and more graceful than Fugdi. It is performed in the “Mand” (open courtyard of the village).

3. Dekhni

Community/Tribe: Christian community.
Occasion/Festival: Social gatherings and weddings.
Theme/Purpose: Storytelling; usually depicts a girl who wants to cross a river to reach a wedding.
Costumes and Props: Women wear traditional sarees and ornaments; sometimes carry small brass lamps.
Music/Instruments: Ghumat (clay pot drum). It is set to a specific song: “Hanv Saiba Poltodi Vetam”.
Gender Participation: Women.
Type: Social / Entertainment.
Important Facts: It beautifully blends Western rhythms with Indian folk melodies.

4. Goff

Community/Tribe: Peasants and farmers (Canacona region).
Occasion/Festival: Shigmo Festival (Harvest season).
Theme/Purpose: Celebrating a successful harvest.
Costumes and Props: Colorful cords/ropes hanging from a central point.
Music/Instruments: Ghumat and Shamel (drums).
Gender Participation: Both (mostly men).
Type: Seasonal / Agricultural.
Important Facts: Also known as the “Weaving Dance”. Dancers braid and then unbraid the colorful ropes in perfect synchronization through their movements.

5. Ghode Modni (Horse Dance)

Community/Tribe: Warrior communities (Kshatriyas).
Occasion/Festival: Shigmo Festival.
Theme/Purpose: Celebrating the victory of Goan warriors over invaders (specifically the Ranes).
Costumes and Props: Dancers wear a wooden/cardboard horse around their waists and carry swords.
Music/Instruments: Dhol and Tasha (drums).
Gender Participation: Men.
Type: Martial / Historical.
Important Facts: It is a “horse-like” dance that involves jumping and mock-fighting movements.

6. Lamp Dance (Divlyanchi Nach)

Community/Tribe: Rural communities during Shigmo.
Occasion/Festival: Shigmo Festival.
Theme/Purpose: Devotion and display of physical skill.
Costumes and Props: Dancers balance heavy brass lamps (with burning wicks) on their heads.
Music/Instruments: Ghumat and traditional folk instruments.
Gender Participation: Both.
Type: Ritual / Skill-based.
Important Facts: Requires extreme focus and balance to move the body while keeping the lit lamps perfectly still on the head.

7. Mando

Community/Tribe: Goan Catholics.
Occasion/Festival: Weddings and social parties.
Theme/Purpose: Themes of romance, love, and political resistance.
Costumes and Props: Women wear the Banoo (traditional dress); men wear formal suits.
Music/Instruments: Violin, Guitar, and Ghumat.
Gender Participation: Both.
Type: Social / Ballroom-style.
Important Facts: It is the most sophisticated Goan folk dance, reflecting a deep Portuguese influence in its music and posture.

8. Kunbi Dance

Community/Tribe: Kunbi Tribe (the earliest settlers of Goa).
Occasion/Festival: Social and cultural events.
Theme/Purpose: Preservation of tribal identity and celebration.
Costumes and Props: Simple red/checked sarees tied short; minimal jewelry.
Music/Instruments: Ghumat.
Gender Participation: Women.
Type: Tribal.
Important Facts: The dance is noted for its simplicity and lack of religious overtones; it is purely social.

9. Mussal Khel

Community/Tribe: Christian Kshatriyas of Chandor.
Occasion/Festival: Performed on the second day of the Carnival/Shigmo.
Theme/Purpose: Commemorates the victory of the Hindu King Harihara over the Cholas.
Costumes and Props: Dancers carry Mussels (heavy wooden pestles used for pounding rice).
Music/Instruments: Traditional chants and drums.
Gender Participation: Men.
Type: Martial / Ritual.
Important Facts: It is a rare example of a Hindu victory dance being preserved by the Christian community in Goa.

10. Shigmo (Sigmo)

Community/Tribe: All Goan communities.
Occasion/Festival: The arrival of spring (Phalgun month).
Theme/Purpose: Welcoming spring and celebrating the harvest.
Costumes and Props: Vibrant, colorful costumes and large floats.
Music/Instruments: Dhol, Tasha, and Cymbals.
Gender Participation: Both.
Type: It is a festival (like a carnival).
Important Facts: While Shigmo is a festival, the “Shigmo Dance” refers to the collective street performances and parades that define the event.

11. Veerbhadra

Community/Tribe: Specific local communities in Ponda and Sanquelim.
Occasion/Festival: Temple festivals.
Theme/Purpose: Narrative of Lord Shiva’s anger and the creation of Veerabhadra.
Costumes and Props: Dancers wear majestic crowns and carry swords.
Music/Instruments: Dhol and Tasha.
Gender Participation: Men.
Type: Ritual / Religious.
Important Facts: This dance shows a cultural link between the Shaivite traditions of Goa and neighboring Karnataka.

Folk Dances of Gujarat

Code: G, D, T, S, H, B, P, D, M, G.

Story: Garba Dancers Twirl in Streets, Holding Bright Props, Dandiya Moves Glow.

1. Garba

Community/Tribe: All Gujarati communities.
Occasion/Festival: Performed during the nine nights of Navratri.
Theme/Purpose: Devotional; dedicated to the worship of Goddess Amba (Shakti).
Costumes and Props: Women wear Chaniya Choli (vibrant embroidered skirts) and silver jewelry. Dancers revolve around a Garbha Deep (a clay lamp in a perforated pot).
Music/Instruments: Dhol, Harmonium, and rhythmic clapping.
Gender Participation: Primarily Women (though men now participate in modern versions).
Type: Ritual / Religious.
Important Facts: The word “Garba” comes from the Sanskrit word Garbha (womb). It is UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage.

2. Dandiya Raas

Community/Tribe: All communities.
Occasion/Festival: Navratri and weddings.
Theme/Purpose: Represents a mock fight between Goddess Durga and Mahishasura.
Costumes and Props: Men wear Kedia and Dhoti; women wear Chaniya Choli. Dancers carry polished wooden sticks (Dandiyas).
Music/Instruments: Dhol, Cymbals, and Shehnai.
Gender Participation: Both (performed in pairs).
Type: Social / Religious.
Important Facts: It originated as a form of “Krishna Leela” but evolved into the energetic stick dance seen today.

3. Tippani Dance

Community/Tribe: Koli and Bhil communities (laborers of Chorwad region).
Occasion/Festival: Festivals and weddings.
Theme/Purpose: Occupational; originated from the work of tamping the ground to level it.
Costumes and Props: Dancers use a Tippani (a long wooden stick with a square wooden block at the bottom).
Music/Instruments: Zanz, Manjira, and Thali.
Gender Participation: Women.
Type: Occupational / Social.
Important Facts: The rhythmic beating of the floor with the Tippani creates the primary sound and tempo for the dance.

4. Siddi Dhamal

Community/Tribe: Siddi Community (of East African origin).
Occasion/Festival: Festivals and shrines (Urs).
Theme/Purpose: Religious and celebratory; preserving African heritage in India.
Costumes and Props: Dancers wear feathers and shells; they use a Dhamal (small drum).
Music/Instruments: Mushira (large drum) and small percussions.
Gender Participation: Men.
Type: Tribal / Religious.
Important Facts: Famous for the “Coconut Act,” where dancers toss coconuts high in the air and break them on their heads without looking.

5. Hudo

Community/Tribe: Bharwad Tribe (Shepherd community).
Occasion/Festival: Tarnetar Fair.
Theme/Purpose: Courtship and social interaction.
Costumes and Props: Extremely colorful umbrellas decorated with embroidery and mirrors.
Music/Instruments: Dhol and Flute.
Gender Participation: Both.
Type: Social / Tribal.
Important Facts: The dance is known for its “clapping” motion (Hudo) and is a major attraction at the world-famous Tarnetar Mela.

6. Bhavai

Community/Tribe: Professional folk artists (Targala/Bhavaiya community).
Occasion/Festival: Social gatherings and village squares.
Theme/Purpose: Social satire and entertainment.
Costumes and Props: Dancers balance 7 to 9 brass pitchers on their heads.
Music/Instruments: Bhungal (long brass pipe), Pakhavaj, and Jhanjh.
Gender Participation: Men (traditionally play female roles).
Type: Folk Theater.
Important Facts: It is a high-skill performance involving dancing on broken glass or the edges of a sword while balancing pots.

7. Padhar Dance

Community/Tribe: Padhar Community (near Bhal region/Nal Sarovar).
Occasion/Festival: Festivals and village fairs.
Theme/Purpose: Depicts the life of a fisherman.
Costumes and Props: Small cymbals (Manjira) and sticks.
Music/Instruments: Dhol and Manjira.
Gender Participation: Men.
Type: Social / Occupational.
Important Facts: The highlight of the dance is when the dancers sit on the floor and mimic the rocking and rowing motion of a boat.

8. Dangi Nritya

Community/Tribe: Tribes of the Dang district.
Occasion/Festival: Holi and weddings.
Theme/Purpose: Celebration of forest life and nature.
Costumes and Props: Traditional tribal jewelry and simple attire.
Music/Instruments: Thali and Manjira.
Gender Participation: Both.
Type: Tribal / Social.
Important Facts: Dancers form a human chain and move in serpentine (snake-like) patterns, often creating human pyramids.

9. Mer Raas

Community/Tribe: Mer Community (Saurashtra region).
Occasion/Festival: Festivals and fairs.
Theme/Purpose: Display of martial strength and valor.
Costumes and Props: Traditional heavy dhotis and thick sticks.
Music/Instruments: Dhol and Shehnai.
Gender Participation: Men.
Type: Martial / Social.
Important Facts: Unlike the gentle Dandiya, Mer Raas is very aggressive and physically demanding, featuring high leaps and fast footwork.

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