Indian Dance Forms & Related Concepts

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering Indian dance forms, associated states or communities, key stylistic elements, and related theoretical concepts.

Kamala

Folk dance of the fisherfolk community in Mithila, Bihar.

Karma (Bihar)

Ritual harvest dance performed around the Karam tree in central-eastern India.

Chad Laho

Jaintia tribe’s thanksgiving dance-festival after harvest, Meghalaya.

Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem

Spring thanksgiving dance of the Khasi people, Meghalaya.

Beh-dien-khlam

Rain-invoking festival dance of the Jaintia community, Meghalaya.

Wangala

Hundred-drum harvest dance of the Garo tribe, Meghalaya.

Ghodemodni

Horse-mounted war dance commemorating Maratha victory, Goa.

Fugdi

Women’s festival dance of Goa, especially during Ganesh Chaturthi.

Dhalo

Night-long women’s dance sung during the Pausha moon in Goa.

Tarangmel

Colourful youth parade dance of Goa seen at Holi and Dussehra.

Rengma War Dance

Nagaland dance performed at Ngada festival by Rengma tribe.

Jawara Dance

Madhya Pradesh harvest dance balancing ripe grain bundles.

Dalkhai

Energetic women’s folk dance of western Odisha.

Garadi

Stick-twirling dance of Puducherry derived from the Ramayana.

Kathakali

Kerala classical ‘story-play’ noted for painted faces & elaborate costumes.

Pacha Vesham

Green-faced noble hero makeup category in Kathakali.

Kathi Vesham

Knife-moustached anti-hero makeup type in Kathakali.

Thadi Vesham

Bearded character make-ups (red/white/black) in Kathakali.

Minukku Vesham

Soft radiant makeup for women and sages in Kathakali.

Kari Vesham

Black-faced demonic makeup in Kathakali.

Chenda

Loud cylindrical drum central to Kathakali orchestra.

Maddalam

Barrel-shaped drum used in Kathakali music.

Chengila

Bronze gong keeping tala in Kathakali.

Elathalam

Small hand cymbals of Kathakali ensemble.

Attakkatha

Text of Kathakali songs and dialogues.

Kathak

North Indian classical dance famed for spins, footwork, nazakat.

Ekaharya

Bharatanatyam concept where one dancer enacts multiple roles.

Kuchipudi

Classical dance-drama of Andhra Pradesh that ends with Tarangam.

Tarangam

Kuchipudi finale danced on a moving brass plate.

Sattriya

Monastic classical dance of Assam founded by Srimanta Sankardev.

Ankiya Nat

One-act musical play within the Sattriya tradition; also called Bhaona.

Mati-Akhora

Ground exercise drills that train Sattriya dancers’ body control.

Dhimsa

Tribal group dance of Araku Valley near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Manipuri Dance

Classical dance of Manipur noted for devotional Raslila themes.

Jagoi

Lasya (gentle) component of Manipuri repertoire.

Cholom

Tandava (vigorous) drum or cymbal segment in Manipuri dance.

Pung Cholom

Manipuri dance where artists drum the pung while dancing.

Kartal Cholom

Manipuri cymbal-wielding martial group dance.

Lai Haraoba

Ancient ritual festival dance seen as precursor to Manipuri style.

Thabal Chongba

Moonlight circle dance of Manipur’s Yaoshang festival.

Khuallam

“Dance of the Guests” performed at Khuangchawi ceremony, Mizoram.

Cheraw

Bamboo-stick dance of Mizoram.

Terah Tali

Seated cymbal dance honoring Ramdevji, Rajasthan.

Kalbelia Dance

UNESCO-listed Rajasthani snake-charmer dance by Kalbelia tribe.

Ghoomar

Traditional circular women’s dance of Rajasthan.

Bhavai

Rajasthani balance dance with 8-9 pots on the head.

Chang / Dhamal

Rajasthan Holi drum dance celebrating good over evil.

Chari Dance

Rajasthani fire-pot balancing dance by women.

Matki Dance

Malwa region pot dance of Madhya Pradesh.

Padayani

Kerala masked ritual dance for Goddess Bhadrakali.

Mudiyettu

Kali-Darika ritual dance-drama of Kerala (UNESCO heritage list).

Kolkali

Stick-wielding martial folk dance of Kerala.

Thiruvathirakali

Kerala women’s circular dance on Thiruvathira day.

Kummattikali

Colourful mask dance of South Malabar, Kerala.

Ottan Thullal

Solo satirical dance-theatre created by Kunchan Nambiar, Kerala.

Mohiniyattam

Graceful lasya-style classical dance of Kerala with Manipravalam songs.

Lasya

Graceful, feminine aspect of Indian classical dance.

Tandava

Vigorous, masculine aspect of Indian classical dance.

Hojagiri

Balancing dance of Reang women in Tripura.

Lebang Boomani

Post-harvest insect-catching dance of Tripura.

Mamita Dance

Harvest dance of Tripura’s Kaloi community.

Sangrai Dance

Mog tribe celebration dance of Tripura’s Sangrai festival.

Ghusadi

Telangana tribal Diwali procession dance of Kolam & Raj Gonds.

Langvir Nritya

Uttarakhand male pole-acrobatic folk dance.

Bhotia Dance

Funeral & festive dance of the Bhotia tribe, Uttarakhand.

Jhora

Fast circular community dance of Kumaon, Uttarakhand.

Chholia

Sword wedding dance of Kumaon region, Uttarakhand.

Paika Nritya

Martial dance of Odisha’s Paika warrior communities.

Gotipua

Odishan dance by boy performers dressed as girls praising Jagannath.

Mahari Dance

Temple devadasi ritual dance of Jagannath Puri, Odisha.

Ranapa

Stilt dance of Odisha narrating Krishna’s childhood feats.

Chhau

Masked semi-classical martial dance of Purulia, Seraikella & Mayurbhanj.

Gambhira

Masked devotional dance-drama of Malda, West Bengal.

Rauf

Kashmiri women’s dance during Eid and weddings.

Dumhal

Ceremonial dance of Wattal men in Jammu & Kashmir.

Shondol

Royal dance of Ladakh performed before kings.

Balti Dance

Rare festive dance of Baltis in Ladakh, done only on special occasions.

Yak Dance

Yak-mask dance of Himalayan Buddhist regions.

Joenpa Legso

Welcome dance of Bhutan.

Lava Dance

Traditional folk dance of Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep.

Buiya Dance

Digaru Mishmi folk dance of Arunachal Pradesh.

Chu-Faat

Mountain-worship dance of Lepcha community, Sikkim.

Singhi Chaam

Snow-lion masked dance of Sikkim.

Yak Chaam

Yak-themed masked dance of Sikkim monasteries.

Rikham Pada

Love dance of Nishi women, Arunachal Pradesh.

Bardo Chham

Sherdukpen masked pantomime depicting good vs evil, Arunachal.

Pasi Kongki

Adi tribe ceremonial dance of Arunachal Pradesh.

Ponung

Harvest dance of Adi women, Arunachal Pradesh.

Popir

Youth folk dance of Galo tribe, Arunachal Pradesh.

Kamsale

Cymbal-gong dance of Mahadeshwara devotees, Karnataka.

Dollu Kunitha

Large drum dance of Kuruba shepherds, Karnataka.

Suggi Kunitha

Harvest dance of Karnataka’s Halakki Vokkaliga community.

Veeragase

Virabhadra myth dance of Karnataka during Dussehra.

Hulivesha

Tiger mask folk dance of coastal Karnataka.

Karaga

Flower-pot balancing ritual dance of Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Yakshagana

Musical dance-drama tradition of coastal Karnataka.

Bhoota Kola

Spirit impersonation ritual dance of Tulu Nadu, Karnataka.

Bolak-aat

Kodava men’s dance with fur and swords performed in Coorg.

Nati

Guinness-record large circle dance of Himachal Pradesh.

Ghurehi

Chamba women’s devotional dance to Lord Shiva, Himachal Pradesh.