Folk Dance classes in Mohali and Chandigrah.
Indian Folk Dances
Traditional Folk Dance Forms of India:
Bhangra – Punjab
Jhumar – Haryana
The jhumar dance form is prevalent in the state of Haryana. In certain parts of the state, people called Jhumar “Hariyanvi Giga”. The name Jhumar has been taken from an ornament worn by females on their foreheads. Young married females dolled up themselves in sparkling jewelry, and begin Jhumar with singing and dancing to the bangs of dholak or thali. Jhumar is performed in a circle while singing. At times, dancers balance themselves on a thali to move around gracefully.
Garba – Gujarat
Garba – one of the chief folk dances in west India. Women in Western India engage themselves in this graceful dance on festival occasions such as Navaratri, Sharad Purnima, Vasant Panchami, and Holi. Garba is performed on all nine nights of Navaratri. Garba encompasses moving around in a circle, clapping, and singing on the musical rhythm of a drummer or Dholi. Garba songs are mostly a tribute to Mother Goddess Amba. The Garba costumes entail a Kedia (short coat) which has tight embroidered sleeves, tight trousers or churidars, bright waistband, and embroidered caps or colored turbans.
Bihu – Assam
Hikat – Jammu & Kashmir
Hikat is a frisky and playful dance form generally performed by young boys and girls in Kashmir when spring majestically covers the valley in all its grandeur. The boys and girls become dance partners, holding each other’s hands, linking their arms, bending their bodies backward moving with perfect precision in a circle. They sing songs in their language and the music is often played by Rabab and Tumnaknadi (drum).
Lavani – Maharashtra
Lavani is a melodious blend of tune, song, tradition, and dance. The delight dholak beats combined with dynamic dance movements make this dance style particularly lively. It begins with a fast tempo and a powerful rhythm. It moves around a variety of subjects like religion, society, and politics. Sometimes it is presented in romantic style where a woman eagerly waits for her love to accept her.
Kathakali – Kerala
Kathakali is one of the most recognizable classical dance forms of India. Kathakali is a vibrant dance-drama featuring appealing colors, elegant body movements, beautiful expressions syncing on the tune of music and song. It is originated in the 17th century and is broadly performed in all states of Kerala. The dance portrays as drama through mudras and expressions, which are inspired by The Ramayana, The Mahabharata, or The Puranas.
Chhau Dance – Odisha
Raas Leela – Uttar Pradesh
Raas Leela is an amusing enactment of the mythological stories of Bhagwat Gita. It describes the life stories of Lord Krishna from his childhood and to his adolescence. It also displays the romance of lovers Radha and Krishna apart from the eternal love of Gopikas for Krishna. The art form comprises graceful dance movements and delightful facial expressions.