Important Indian Dances – State-wise List with Descriptions for JKSSB, SSC, and Railway Exams -

📘 Introduction

Indian dance forms are frequently asked in JKSSB, SSC, Railway, and other state-level exams. This post gives you a complete list of classical, folk, and tribal dances that have appeared in previous year questions — including lesser-known but high-probability ones like Cham, Chu-Faat, Cheraw, etc.

✅ State-wise Indian Dance List with Descriptions (Exam-Specific)

State/UT	Dance Name(s)	Type	Description
Andhra Pradesh	Kuchipudi, Burrakatha, Veeranatyam	Classical/Folk	Kuchipudi is a classical dance-drama. Veeranatyam is a warrior dance in honor of Lord Shiva.
Arunachal Pradesh	Bardo Chham	Tribal	Masked dance representing the fight between good and evil spirits.
Assam	Bihu, Sattriya, Bagurumba	Classical/Folk	Bihu is the harvest dance. Sattriya is a classical dance from monasteries. Bagurumba is a nature-themed dance by Bodo tribe.
Bihar	Jat-Jatin	Folk	A duet representing love and daily struggles of rural life.
Chhattisgarh	Panthi, Raut Nacha, Saila	Folk	Saila is a stick dance by boys post-harvest. Panthi is spiritual in nature.
Goa	Fugdi, Dhalo	Folk	Performed by women during festivals and social occasions.
Gujarat	Garba, Dandiya Raas, Tippani, Bhavai	Folk	Garba/Dandiya are circular festive dances. Bhavai includes pot-balancing acts.
Haryana	Phag, Loor	Folk	Springtime dances performed by women.
Himachal Pradesh	Nati	Folk	Known as the world’s most participated folk dance.
Jammu & Kashmir	Rouf, Dumhal, Cham	Folk/Ritual	Rouf is a rhythmic women’s dance. Dumhal is ceremonial. Cham is a masked dance by Lamas in Ladakh.
Jharkhand	Chhau, Santhal	Folk	Chhau is a martial masked dance. Santhal is tribal, performed during harvests.
Karnataka	Yakshagana, Dollu Kunitha	Folk	Yakshagana is dance-theatre. Dollu Kunitha is a high-energy drum dance.
Kerala	Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam	Classical	Kathakali uses elaborate masks. Koodiyattam is Sanskrit theatre.
Ladakh	Cham, Jabro, Spawo	Ritual/Folk	Cham is a masked Tantric dance by Buddhist monks.
Madhya Pradesh	Tertali, Rai	Folk	Tertali involves balancing swords and pots with cymbals tied to body.
Maharashtra	Lavani, Koli	Folk	Lavani is expressive and fast-paced. Koli is the fisherfolk dance.
Manipur	Manipuri, Thang Ta	Classical/Martial	Manipuri is devotional and graceful. Thang Ta involves sword and spear combat.
Meghalaya	Nongkrem, Shad Suk Mynsiem	Folk	Nongkrem is performed to appease the goddess Ka Blei Synshar.
Mizoram	Cheraw	Tribal	The bamboo dance — dancers move between rhythmic bamboo sticks.
Nagaland	Chang Lo (Sua Lua)	Folk	Warrior dance performed post-victory or at tribal festivals.
Odisha	Odissi, Gotipua, Chhau	Classical/Folk	Odissi is temple-based classical dance. Gotipua is performed by boys dressed as girls.
Punjab	Bhangra, Giddha	Folk	Bhangra is male harvest dance; Giddha is the female version.
Rajasthan	Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Kachhi Ghodi	Folk	Kalbelia mimics snake movements. Kachhi Ghodi is a mock horse fight dance.
Sikkim	Maruni, Singhi Cham, Chu-Faat	Tribal/Folk	Chu-Faat is performed by Lepchas to worship Mt. Kanchenjunga. Singhi Cham symbolizes the Snow Lion.
Tamil Nadu	Bharatanatyam, Karagattam	Classical/Folk	Bharatanatyam is the oldest classical form. Karagattam involves pot-balancing.
Telangana	Perini Thandavam	Folk	Warrior dance performed in Shiva temples before battle.
Tripura	Hojagiri	Tribal	Women balance lamps and pots on knees and heads while dancing.
Uttar Pradesh	Kathak, Raslila	Classical/Folk	Raslila depicts Krishna’s life through dance.
Uttarakhand	Chholiya, Langvir Nritya	Folk	Langvir Nritya is performed on poles by men; it’s a martial-style dance.
West Bengal	Chhau, Alkap, Gambhira	Folk	Alkap uses satire and music; Gambhira gives moral messages.
Andaman & Nicobar	Nicobari Dance	Tribal	Group circular dance performed during festivals like the Ossuary Feast.
Lakshadweep	Lava Dance	Folk	Performed by men on festive occasions.
Delhi (NCR)	Dilli Gharana Kathak	Classical	Variant of Kathak that emphasizes grace and subtle expressions.

🎯 Quick Revision Tricks

Masked Dances: Cham (Ladakh), Chhau (WB/OD/JH), Theyyam (Kerala)
Sword/Warrior Dances: Perini (Telangana), Thang Ta (Manipur), Chholiya (Uttarakhand)
Tribal Dances: Santhal, Hojagiri, Chu-Faat, Cheraw
Bamboo Dance: Cheraw – Mizoram