CLASSICAL DANCES AND FOLK DANCES IN INDIA

            Indian Classical Dances

Bharatnatyam: Popular in South Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka

Kathak: North India
Kathakali: Kathakali is the classical dance form of Kerala. Kuchipudi: Kuchipudi is one of the classical dance forms of the South India. Kuchipudi derives its name from the Kuchipudi village of Andhra Pradesh. Manipuri: Manipuri is one of the six major classical dances of India. Manipuri dance is indigenous to Manipur, the North eastern state of India.

Mohiniattam: Mohiniattam is a classical dance form of Kerala. Odissi:Odissi is one of the famous classical Indian dances from Orissa state.

Folk Dances of India

Folk dances are performed for every possible occasion, to celebrate the arrival of seasons, birth of a child, a wedding and festivals.

Gaur dance: Folk dance of Madhya Pradesh dances

Chhau : Folk dance of Bihar

Bihu: Folk dance of Assam

Dumhal: Popular dance of Kashmir

Padayani: One of the most colorful and popular dances of Southern Kerala.

Dollu Kunitha: Popular drum dance of Karnataka state. 
Dandiya: Popular folk dance of Gujarat.

The classical dance forms recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Ministry of Culture are as represented below:

Dance form	State(s) of origin
Gaudiya Nritya	West Bengal
Kathak	Northern India (Uttar Pradesh)
Kathakali	Kerala
Sattriya	Assam
Ghoomar	Rajasthan
Thang Ta	Manipur

Folk dances in India

·   Bathukamma: A folk dance of Andhra Pradesh.

·   Changu: The changu dance is a folk dance found in Odissa and Andhra Pradesh.

·   Dhaman: 1) A folk dance of Punjab. 2) A folk dance of Andhra Pradesh

·   Gair: This is a dance of Rajasthan. It is performed by groups of dancers moving in and out with an almost military precision.

·   Garba: This is a folk dance from Gujarat. It is traditionally danced at marriages and during the time of Navaratri.• Gatka: A folk dance utilising swords, daggers, or sticks performed in the Punjab

·   Karagam: This is a folk dance of Tamil Nadu. It is played with a pot balanced on the head.

·   Raas: This is a folk dance from Gujarat. It is traditionally danced at marriages and during the time of Navaratri.

·   Dumhal: A folk dance of Kashmir.

·   Odissi: Folk dance performed in Orissa.

·   Chau: A popular dance performed in Orissa, bihar and west Bengal