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About Folk Dances

There are countless folk dances in India. Some are regional variations of common dance forms. Others are tribal dances particular to a community or even a village; many of these are vanishing with the spread of development to rural areas. For now, this website just lists some of the well known folk dances from different parts of India. It is by no means a comprehensive listing. It is organized by region:

While classical dances follow specific techniques, folk dances are spontaneous expressions of the spirit of a people. They spring from the basic instinct for rhythm, imagination, and artistic expression. They relate to daily activities of work, play, and worship, as well as people’s relationships with nature and with each other. Whether to mark a religious festival, give thanks for a successful harvest, celebrate a wedding, prepare for battle, or to express devotion, folk dances are part of daily life throughout India.

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