Explore the Unexplored Dance Forms of India!

A land of diverse art forms and art forms consisting of dances in their varied forms imagined can be nothing short of entertainment. With a vast variety of them already explored by the masses, some remain hidden in the envelopes of beautiful landscapes. We are here to explore the unexplored dance forms of India from different states. Let's get spinning!

Kummi - Tamil Nadu 

The Kummi dance is a lesser-known folk dance in Tamil Nadu, often performed by women in a circular formation with rhythmic clapping and synchronised movements. It is traditionally performed on Kummi songs during village gatherings, harvest festivals like Pongal, and temple festivals. The dance may also feature songs and imitations of harvesting activities. 

Cheraw - Mizoram 

Cheraw is the traditional dance form of Mizoram. It is believed to have existed from the 1st century A.D., the time when the Mizos didn't even reside here. Men perform this dance in a quirky way by sitting face to face on the ground and tapping long pairs of bamboo staves in rhythmic patterns. While the girls wear the colourful Mizo costumes—’Puanchei', 'Kawrchei', 'Vakiria' and ‘Thihna' to dance between the rhythmic bamboo taps. The beats are produced with gongs and drums on every happy occasion, but especially before the harvest. 

Ghode Modini - Goa 

Ghode Modni, meaning "horse dance" in Konkani, is a vibrant traditional folk dance from Goa. Usually performed during the Shigmo festival, which is a celebration of spring, this dance form marks the onset of harvest season in the state. Known for its martial arts and horsemanship elements, this art form is said to commemorate Maratha rulers and warriors, with performers imitating the movements and gestures of horses wearing a horse's head. 

Gaur Maria - Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh 

Gaur Maria is a popular folk dance originally performed by the Gond tribe of Madhya Pradesh. The dance gets its name ‘Gaur’ from a species of Bison, and is often regarded as the Bison dance. It is primarily performed by the Bison Horn Marias of the South Bastar region in Chhattisgarh. This vibrant dance form symbolises the tribe's hunting spirit and is often performed during marriages by male and female dancers, with male performers wearing elaborate headdresses and carrying flutes and drums.

Chau - Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal

Performed in the tribal regions of eastern India like Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, Chhau is a semi-classical martial and folk dance form. Although performed majorly in all 3 states, it is characterised by three distinct regional styles—Seraikela Chhau in Jharkhand, Mayurbhanj Chhau in Odisha, and Purulia Chhau in West Bengal. The dance incorporates elements of martial arts, folk dance, and theatrical performance, making it a distinctive art form.

Bacha Nagma -  Kashmir 

Bacha Nagma is a lesser-known dance form from Kashmir. Mainly performed during the harvesting season but also practised during weddings and other celebrations, this dance form represents the Hafiza style dance from the place. This version features a young male dancer who dresses up as a woman and performs the Hafiza style dance, often while singing Kashmiri ballads.

Sattriya - Assam

Sattriya is a devotional dance form performed by the male monks within the Sattras (monastic institutions in Assam). Introduced in the 15th century by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankaradeva, an Assamese polymath, to propagate faith in the neo-Vaishnavite Bhakti movement, this dance form is to date performed to depict stories and characters from Hindu mythology, particularly those related to Lord Krishna.