Know about various Indian dance forms and famous dancers from different parts of India.
People of different states in India have different cultures. Dance is an important part of Indian culture. There are different types of dance forms in different states in India according to their culture. Kuchipudi is one of the most famous dance forms of Andhra Pradesh, whereas Bharatnatyam of Tamil Nadu is a popular and well-known dance all over India.
Dance is a thing that can entertain people very much. There are two main types of dance forms in India: classical and folk dance. Let’s look at some popular Indian dance forms and famous dancers in India.
List of Dance Forms of different states in India
| State | Dance forms |
| Andhra Pradesh | Kuchipudi, Kollattam |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Bardo Chham |
| Assam | Bihu, Jhumur nach, Bagurumba |
| Jharkhand | Chhau, karma |
| Chhattisgarh | Panthi, Raut Nacha |
| Gujrat | Garba, Padhar, Dandiya Raas/Stick dance, Tippani folk dance |
| Himachal Pradesh | Nati, Kinnauri nati, Namgen |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Rauf, Hikat, Dumhal |
| Karnataka | Yakshagana, Hattari |
| Kerala | Kathakali, Kaikottikali, Mohiniattam |
| Madhya Pradesh | Karma, Tertali, Charkula, Jawara, Matki dance, Phulpati dance, Grida dance, Maanch, Gaur maria dance |
| Maharashtra | Pavri nach, Tamasha, Lavani, Lezin |
| Manipur | Manipuri, Thang ta, Dhol cholom |
| Mizoram | Khantumm, Cheraw dance |
| Nagaland | Chang lo/Sua lua |
| Odisha | Chhau dance, Ghumura dance, Goti pua, Nacni, Odissi, Baagh naach/Tiger dance, Dalkhai, Dhap, Ghumra, karma naach, Keisabadi |
| Puducherry | Garadi |
| Punjab | Bhangra, Giddha, Malwai Giddha, Jhumar, Karthi, Kikli, Sammi, Dandass, Ludi, Jindua |
| Rajasthan | Gangore, Ginad, Ghoomar, Jhulan leela, Kalbelia, Khayal, Bommalattam, Theru Koothu |
| Tripura | Hojagiri |
| Tamil Nadu | Bharat Natyam |
| West Bengal | Chau dance, Gambhira, Jhumar, Kalikapatadi, Nacni, Alkap, Domni |
Some legendary Indian dancers gained worldwide popularity because of their dancing art. Some of the popular names are mentioned below.
List of Famous Dancers and their Dance form
| Dance form | List of Famous Dancers |
| Bharatnatyam | Bala Saraswati, Rukmini Devi, Yamini Krishnamurti, Mrinalini Saravai, Sonal Mansinha, Sudha Chandran |
| Yamini Krishnamurti, Raja Reddi, Chintakrishna Murli | |
| Kathakali | Kunjukurup, Gopinathan, K. K. Pannikar, Sanata Rao, kanak Rele, Ragini Devi, Rita Ganguli |
| Kathak | Birzu Maharaj, Gopikrishnan, Sitara devi, Damayanti Joshi, Roshan Kumari, Lacchu Maharaj, Sambhu Maharaj, Uma Sharma |
| Oddisi | Kalicharan Pattyanayak, Kelucharan Mahapatra, Sutapa Dasgupta, Sanjukta panigrahi, Indrani rahaman, Sonal man Singh, Minati Das, Priyambada Mohanti |
| Manipuri | Guru Bipin Singh, Javeri Sisters |
Frequently Asked Questions on Indian Dance Forms and Famous Dancers
Q1. Which dance form is Bala Saraswati associated with?
Bharatnatyam
Q2. Which is the oldest form of dance in India?
Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu is the oldest classical dance in India.
Q3. Which state in India originated the Chhau dance?
Jharkhand
