Folk Dances, Dynasties

in India & Fair and

Festivals
(Static GK)
By – Indo Pathshala
Contact Number – 9123206137
https://www.youtube.com/@indopathshala400

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Folk Dances of States in India

 Folk dances are forms of expression, performed to reflect the happiness, sorrow and different
mood of society
 India has a vast range of Dance forms whether it is folk or classical dance. Here the dialect
change almost after 100 km, so does the folk dances style, dress, artists, etc change

Folk dances of India- State-Wise List

State Folk Dances

➤ Kuchipudi,
➤ Vilasini Natyam,
➤ Andhra Natyam,
➤ Bhamakalpam,
➤ Veeranatyam,
➤ Dappu,
Andhra Pradesh
➤ Tappeta Gullu,
➤ Lambadi,
➤ Dhimsa,
➤ Kolattam,
➤ Butta Bommalu.

➤ Bihu,
➤ Bichhua,
➤ Natpuja,
➤ Maharas,
➤ Kaligopal,
Assam ➤ Bagurumba,
➤ Naga dance,
➤ Khel Gopal,
➤ Tabal Chongli,
➤ Canoe,
➤ Jhumura Hobjanai

➤ Jata-Jatin,
➤ Bakho-Bakhain,
Bihar
➤ Panwariya,
➤ Sama Chakwa,
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 Folk dances of India- State-Wise List

State Folk Dances

➤ Bidesia.

➤ Garba,
➤ Dandiya Ras,
Gujarat
➤ Tippani Juriun,
➤ Bhavai.

➤ Jhumar,
➤ Phag,
➤ Daph,
➤ Dhamal,
Haryana
➤ Loor,
➤ Gugga,
➤ Khor,
➤ Gagor.

➤ Jhora,
➤ Jhali,
➤ Chharhi,
➤ Dhaman,
Himachal Pradesh
➤ Chhapeli,
➤ Mahasu,
➤ Nati,
➤ Dangi.

➤ Rauf,
➤ Hikat,
Jammu and Kashmir ➤ Mandjas,
➤ Kud Dandi Nach,
➤ Damali.

➤ Yakshagan,
➤ Huttari,
Karnataka
➤ Suggi,
➤ Kunitha,

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 Folk dances of India- State-Wise List

State Folk Dances

➤ Karga,
➤ Lambi.

➤ Kathakali (Classical),
➤ Ottam Thulal,
Kerala
➤ Mohiniattam,
➤ Kaikottikali.

➤ Lavani,
➤ Nakata,
➤ Koli,
Maharashtra ➤ Lezim,
➤ Gafa,
➤ Dahikala Dasavtar
➤ Bohada.

➤ Odissi (Classical),
➤ Savari,
➤ Ghumara,
Odisha
➤ Painka,
➤ Munari,
➤ Chhau.

➤ Kathi,
➤ Gambhira,
➤ Dhali,
➤ Jatra,
West Bengal
➤ Baul,
➤ Marasia,
➤ Mahal,
➤ Keertan.

➤ Bhangra,
Punjab ➤ Giddha,
➤ Daff,

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 Folk dances of India- State-Wise List

State Folk Dances

➤ Dhaman,
➤ Bhand,
➤ Naqual.

➤ Ghumar,
➤ Chakri,
➤ Ganagor,
➤ Jhulan Leela,
Rajasthan
➤ Jhuma,
➤ Suisini,
➤ Ghapal,
➤ Kalbeliya.

➤ Bharatanatyam,
➤ Kumi,
Tamil Nadu
➤ Kolattam,
➤ Kavadi.

➤ Nautanki,
➤ Raslila,
➤ Kajri,
Uttar Pradesh
➤ Jhora,
➤ Chappeli,
➤ Jaita.

➤ Garhwali,
➤ Kumayuni,
➤ Kajari,
Uttarakhand
➤ Jhora,
➤ Raslila,
➤ Chappeli.

➤ Tarangamel,
Goa ➤ Koli,
➤ Dekhni,

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 Folk dances of India- State-Wise List

State Folk Dances

➤ Fugdi,
➤ Shigmo,
➤ Ghode,
➤ Modni,
➤ Samayi nrutya,
➤ Jagar,
➤ Ranmale,
➤ Gonph,
➤ Tonnya mell.

➤ Jawara,
➤ Matki,
➤ Aada,
➤ Khada Nach,
Madhya Pradesh ➤ Phulpati,
➤ Grida Dance,
➤ Selalarki,
➤ Selabhadoni,
➤ Maanch.

➤ Gaur Maria,
➤ Panthi,
➤ Raut Nacha,
➤ Pandwani,
Chhattisgarh
➤ Vedamati,
➤ Kapalik,
➤ Bharthari Charit,
➤ Chandaini.

➤ Alkap,
➤ Karma Munda,
Jharkhand ➤ Agni,
➤ Jhumar,
➤ Janani Jhumar,

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 Folk dances of India- State-Wise List

State Folk Dances

➤ Mardana Jhumar,
➤ Paika, Phagua,
➤ Hunta Dance,
➤ Mundari Dance,
➤ Sarhul, Barao,
➤ Jhitka,
➤ Danga,
➤ Domkach,
➤ Ghora Naach.

➤ Buiya,
➤ Chalo,
➤ Wancho,
Arunachal Pradesh ➤ Pasi Kongki,
➤ Ponung,
➤ Popir,
➤ Bardo Chham.

➤ Dol Cholam,
➤ Thang Ta,
➤ Lai Haraoba,
➤ Pung Cholom,
Manipur ➤ Khamba Thaibi,
➤ Nupa Dance,
➤ Raslila,
➤ Khubak Ishei,
➤ Lhou Sha.

➤ Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem,

Meghalaya ➤ Nongkrem,
➤ Laho.

➤ Cheraw Dance,
Mizoram ➤ Khuallam,
➤ Chailam,

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 Folk dances of India- State-Wise List

State Folk Dances

➤ Sawlakin,
➤ Chawnglaizawn,
➤ Zangtalam,
➤ Par Lam,
➤ Sarlamkai/ Solakia,
➤ Tlanglam.

➤ Rangma,
➤ Bamboo Dance,
➤ Zeliang,
Nagaland ➤ Nsuirolians,
➤ Gethinglim,
➤ Temangnetin,
➤ Hetaleulee.

Tripura ➤ Hojagiri.

➤ Chu Faat Dance,

➤ Sikmari,
➤ Singhi Chaam or the Snow Lion Dance,
➤ Yak Chaam,
➤ Denzong Gnenha,
Sikkim
➤ Tashi Yangku Dance,
➤ Khukuri Naach,
➤ Chutkey Naach,
➤ Maruni Dance.

➤ Lava,
Lakshadweep ➤ Kolkali,
➤ Parichakali.

Classical Dances of India

 Indian classical dance academy i.e., Shastriya Academi. All these dances are connected to the
Hindu Goddess. These are performed by very talented, trained and skilled artists

List of Classical dances in India State of Origin

Bharatnatyam Tamil Nadu

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 Kathak Uttar Pradesh

Kuchipudi Andhra Pradesh

Odissi Odisha

Kathakali Kerala

Sattriya Assam

Manipuri Manipur

Mohiniyattam Kerala

Dynasties in India

 There have been many great rulers who gave birth to the great Indian kingdoms that enrich the
country’s past with some of the greatest achievements making India one of the most amusing
countries in the world.

 The major dynasties in India are the Haryanka dynasty, the Shishunga dynasty, Mauryan Empire,
Gupta Empire, Nanda dynasty

 The Mauryan Dynasty is considered the first dynasty of India that set foot in India around 321
BCE. The Maurya Dynasty is considered the oldest dynasty in India

 Chandragupta Maurya was the first ruler of this famous dynasty

Dynasties of
Indian Dynasties India Timeline Founder Capital

Chandragupta
Maurya Empire (321BC-185BC) Maurya Pataliputra

Rajgir
Haryanka dynasty (544-413 BCE) Bimbisara (Girivraja)

Shishunaga
dynasty (413-345 BCE) Shishunaga (Girivraja)

Mahapadma
Nanda dynasty (343-321 BCE) Nanda Pataliputra

Indo-Scythians Maues alias

Kingdom (The 150 BCE–400CE Moga Sigal
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 Shaka) Taxila
Mathura

The Sunga Pushyamitra

Dynasty 185 BC- 75 BC Sunga Pataliputra

The Kanva
Dynasty 75 BC- 30 BC Vasudeva Pataliputra

Pratishthana
1st century
BCE–2nd
The Satavahanas century CE Simuka Amaravati

Poompuhar,
Uraiyur,
Tiruvarur,
Pazhayarai,
Thanjavur

300s BCE–1279 Gangaikonda

The Chola Dynasty CE Vijayalaya Cholapuram
Korkai
Madurai
Tenkasi

4th century
Pandyan Dynasty BCE–1345 AD – Tirunelveli

Mahodayapuram
Quilon
3rd century
BCE–12th
Chera Dynasty century CE Vanavaramban Karuvur

Pallava Dynasty 275 CE–897 CE Bappadevan Kanchipuram

Chalukya Dynasty 543–753 Pulakesi I Badami

Important Ancient Indian dynasties were:

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  Haryanka dynasty (544-413 BCE)
 Shishunaga dynasty (413-345 BCE)
 Nanda dynasty (343-321 BCE)
 Mauryan Empire(321 BC- 185 BC)
 Gupta Empire (240 BC-550 AD)

The major dynasties during Medieval India were:

 Rashtrakuta Dynasty
 Pala Dynasty
 Chola Dynasty
 Slave Dynasty
 Khilji Dynasty
 Tughlaq Dynasty
 Lodhi Dynasty
 Vijayanagar and Bahmani Kingdoms
 Ahom Dynasty
 Mughal Dynasty

 Maratha State and Maratha Confederacy

Maurya Dynasty

 The first ruler of the Maurya dynasty was Chandragupta Maurya who defeated the last ruler of
the Nanda dynasty and took control of Patliputra in 322 BC.

 He also defeated Seleucus Nikator in 306 BC.

 The other two great rulers of the Maurya dynasty were Bindusara & the world-famous Ashoka,
the great.

 Ashoka was known for his great administrative skills and his Principle of Dhamma

Mahajanapadas

 The dynasty called Mahajanapadas ruled from 600 BC to 325 BC in India. It was one of the 16
great ancient kingdoms of India. The title itself means “great realm” deriving from the word
“maha” – great and “janapada” – a country or foothold of a tribe

Haryanka Dynasty

 The Haryanka Dynasty was also one of the famous dynasties of India. It spanned from 544 BC –
492 BC

 One of the famous rulers of the Haryanka Dynasty was Bimbisara, who was the founder of this
dynasty.
 Bimbisara was considered the contemporary of Gautam Buddha.
 Other great rulers of this dynasty were Ajatashatru and Udayin.

 Udayin was the one who set the foundation of Patliputra

Shishunaga Dynasty
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  The Shishunaga Dynasty was founded by king Shishunga, thus the name. He was a minister to one
of the kings of the Haryanka Dynasty.

 This dynasty of India is most famous for its biggest achievement which was the destruction of
Avanti.

 Another important event during the reign of the Shishunaga Dynasty was the second
Buddhists Council that happened in Vaishali (383 BC)

Nanda Dynasty

 The Nanda Dynasty was founded by Mahapadma who was also known as the Sarvakshatrantak &
Ugrasena, which meant the uprooting of all the Kshatriyas & the owner of a large army
respectively.

 Mahapadma is famously referred to as the first person to build an empire in the history of India.

 He is also known as Ekrat, according to the Puranas

Kushan Dynasty

 Kanishka was the greatest ruler of the Kushana Dynasty. According to an old theory, he is also
said to have started the Saka Era in 78 AD. Alternatively, the ascension of king Chashtana is also
considered the beginning of the Saka Era leading to the establishment of the Saka Dynasty.
 A number of scholars like Nagarjuna, Vasumitra, Asvagosha, Charak, Parsva, and Mathara were a
part of Kanishka’s court.

Sunga Dynasty

 The Sunga Dynasty was formed by Pushymitra Sunga, the Commander-in-Chief of the last Maurya
ruler.

 Patanjali, the great priest, is famous at this time for being a part of two Asvamedha Yajnas that
was performed by Pushymitra Sunga.
 Patanjali was also the author of ‘Mahabhasya’.
 The most famous monument of this dynasty of India is the Bharhut Stupa.

The Pandyas

 The mention of the Pandyas was done by the famous Megasthenes who was an ancient Greek
historian, diplomat, and Indian ethnographer. He has described India in one of his books.

 The Pandyas are known to have attempted trade with the Roman Empire.
 They also sent embassies to Augustus.

The Chola Dynasty

 The Chola Dynasty is also one of the oldest dynasties in India. It is also referred to as
Cholamandalam.

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  It was located in the North-East direction of the kingdom of Pandyas.
 The capital of Cholamadalam was Kaveripattanam or Puhar.

Gupta Dynasty

 The Gupta Dynasty or the Gupta Empire existed around the early 4th century CE to the late 6th
century CE. The Gupta Empire spread its wings in India from 319 CE to 467 CE which is
considered the Golden Age of India.

 The Gupta Dynasty was founded by Chandragupta I (319 – 334 AD).

 He began the Gupta Era in 319 AD – 320 AD.
 The other great ruler of this dynasty was Samudragupta who reigned from 335 AD – 380 AD.
 Samudragupta was known as the Napoleon of India.
 Other important rulers of this dynasty were Chandragupta II, Kumaragupta I, and Skandagupta.

Rashtrakutas Dynasty

 The Rashtrakutas Dynasty was founded by Dantidurg. The Rashtrakutas are famous for their
creation of the cave shrine – Elephanta, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

 The first Kannada poetry is also attributed to this dynasty. Amogvarsha wrote the poetry Kaviraj
Marg.
 The Kailasha temple was built during the reign of Rashtrakutas by Krishna I at Ellora.

Pallavas Dynasty

 The Pallava Dynasty of India was founded by Simhavishnu. Other achievements of this dynasty
were the creation of the rock-cut Ratha and pagoda.

 Narsimhavarman was the greatest king of the Pallava Dynasty of India.

 He also founded the town of Mamallapuram

Important Fairs of Indian States

Fair Venue Place

Ambubachi Mela Kamakhya Temple Assam
Baneshwar Fair Dungarpur Mahadev Temple Rajasthan
Chandrabahaga Fair Jhalarapatan Rajasthan
Gangasagar Fair Gangasagar Island West Bengal
Madhavpur Mela Porbandar Gujarat
Medaram Jatara or Sammakka Medaram in Warangal Telangana
Saralamma Jatara
Thrissur Pooram Vadakkunnathan Temple in Kerala
Thrissur
Surajkund Handicrafts Mela Surajkund in Faridabad Haryana
Nauchandi Fair Meerut Uttar Pradesh
Kumbh Mela Nasik, Ujjain, Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain, Allahabad,
Haridwar Haridwar
Pushkar Fair Pushkar Rajasthan

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Sonepur Cattle Fair Sonepur at the confluence of Bihar
Ganga and Gandak

Important Festivals in India

State Name Festival Name

Andhra Pradesh ● Brahmotsavam- It is celebrated at Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati,
for 9 days during the months of September to October.

● Bhishma Ekadasi, Deccan Festival, Pitr, Sankranthi, Tyagaraja Festival

Arunachal ● Losar Festival- Tibetan New year, Marked with ancient ceremonies that
Pradesh represent the struggle between good and evil

● Chalo Loku, Pongtu

Assam ● Bohag Bihu- The spring festival of Bohaag Bihu or Rongali Bihu ushers in
the New Year in the State of Assam, which marks the onset of a new
agricultural cycle.

● Magh or Bhogali Bihu

Bihar ● Chhath Puja- Also called Dala Puja devoted to worshiping the sun is
traditionally celebrated by the people of Bihar.
Chhattisgarh ● Bastar Dussehra - The longest Dussehra celebration in the world is
celebrated in Bastar and spans over 75 days starting around August and
ending in October.

● Maghi Purnima- It is the flagship festival of this state which encompasses

the birth anniversary of Guru Ghasidas.

Goa ● Carnival- Three-day non-stop extravaganza of fun, song, music, and

dance celebrated just before the 40 days of Lent.

● Shigmo Mela- it is a counterpart of the festival of colors Holi

● Sunburn Festival

Gujarat ● Janmashtami - Birth anniversary of Lord Krishna

● Diwali - Festival of Lights, Festival marks the beginning of the New Year.

● Navaratra, Kutch Rann Utsav

Himachal ● Gochi Festival- In this festival the villagers celebrate the birth of male
Pradesh children. Token marriages of children below the age of six are also
performed

● Mahashivaratri- A week-long International Mandi Shivratri Fair and Sobha

Yatra are held near the Temple of Bhoothnath (Lord Shiva) every year

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 ● Rakhadumni

Haryana ● Gugga Naumi - Snake-worship. It is observed in the months of August-

September.

● Surajkund Mela, Baishakhi

Jammu and ● Eid-ul-Fitr - marks the end of fasting month of Ramadan.

Kashmir
● Eid-ul-Azha - More prominent for the Qurbani (sacrifice). People
sacrifice goats, sheep and some even camels

● Bahu Mela- It is a biannual festival held at the Kali Temple in Bahu Fort.
It is celebrated twice a year in the month of March-April and September-
October.

● Chhari (Pilgrimage to Amarnath cave), Urs, Har Navami

Jharkhand ● Karam Festival - It is celebrated 15 days after the Kunwaar-Shukla-

Paksha.

● Holi- Festival of colors, celebrated in the months of February/March.

Karnataka ● Ugadi- Celebrated in the second half of March or in early April. It marks
the beginning of the new Hindu lunar calendar.

● Mahamastakabhisheka – Held once every 12 years in veneration of

Gomateswara Bahubali at Sravanbelagola.

● Mysore Dasara, Makar Sankramana.

Kerala ● Onam- The festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali. It is

celebrated in Chingam (August-September) and lasts for ten days.
Vallamkali, the enchanting Snake Boat Race, Folk performances like
Kummatti kali and Pulikali add to the zest of celebrations. Nehru Trophy
Boat Race is also organized.

● Vishu, Pooram

Madhya ● Lokrang festival - Most iconic dance festival of MP which signifies the
Pradesh existing legacy of its dance

Diwali, Khajuraho Dance Festival

Meghalaya ● Nongkrem Dance Festival- Five days long religious festival devoted to
appeasing the Goddess Ka Blei Synshar for a rich bumper harvest and
prosperity of the people

● Khasis - Dance festival

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Maharashtra ● Ganesh Chaturthi- Falls in months of August - September. Ganesh images
are kept in houses as a divine guest for five to ten days by people. The
image is then taken out ceremoniously and immersed in the river, sea or
well. It is called the Visarjan.

● Nag Panchami, Navratri, Gudi Padva

Manipur ● Yaoshang- It is celebrated for five days. It commences from the full
moon day of Phalguna (February/March). The main highlight of the festival
is the Thabal Chongba dance.

Mizoram ● ChapcharKut Festival - Marks the clearing and readying of hill slopes for
jhum or shifting cultivation.

Nagaland ● Hornbill Festival- It is one of the biggest cultural extravaganzas in the

North East & held every year from Dec1-10. It is a festival to protect,
revive and promote the richness of the Naga heritage and traditions.

● Sekrenyi – It is celebrated by the Angami Tribe. It is also associated with

celebrating the rich culture of the tribes that has lasted for many a moon.

Odisha ● Rath Yatra (Dola Yatra) – It triggers the construction of the Oriya
calendar and its consequent presentation to their deity Jagannath who
also carries another name of Dola Govinda. Mainly celebrated at Puri.
● Raja Parba - It is the living cultural heritage and agricultural way of life.
It is held for three days in June.

● Akshaya Tritiya, Konark Festival

Punjab ● Lohri – It is celebrated on the 13th of January a day before Makar

Sankranti. It is dedicated to the Sun god.

● Baisakhi - Marks the time for the harvest of Rabi crops. Traditional folk
dances Bhangra and Giddha are performed by men and women to the beat
of Dhol

● Bandi Chhor Divas, Guru Parab

Rajasthan ● Gangaur Festival - It falls a fortnight after Holi & is celebrated for 18
days in honor of Goddess Parvati mostly by the womenfolk of Rajasthan. It
is also the consequent celebration of the harvest.

● Teej, Pushkar Fair, Urs at Ajmer.

Sikkim ● Losar – Celebrated on the dawn of the new Tibetan year

● Saga Dawa - Magnificent carnival famous for masked dances

Tamil Nadu ● Pongal- Four-day-long harvest festival which falls in the month of
January-February. Bhogi festival, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal is celebrated.
It is the local Makar Sankranti of this state.
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 ● Thyagaraja Aradhana, Jallikattu, Panguni Uthiram, Puthandu (Tamil New
Year)

Telangana ● Bonalu- The word Bonalu came from "Bhojanalu" which is offered to the
goddess during festival time.

● Bathukamma – It involves the worship of goddess Gauri and consequent

celebrations

Tripura ● Kharchi Puja - It is the worship of the fourteen gods of Tripura and is
celebrated in the month of July-August. It ends up with sacrifices of cattle
to the Earth God.

● Tripureshwari Temple Festival.

West Bengal ● Durga Puja- Also referred to as Durgotsava. It is commemorated by

worshipping Goddess Durga

Uttaranchal ● Ganga Dusshera- It is a day of devotion and faith celebrated in the

month of June.

● Purna Kumbh Mela

Uttar Pradesh ● Navaratri - Celebrated for nine nights during which people worship
Goddess Durga and her nine forms to seek her blessings.

● Ram Navmi - Marks the birth anniversary of God Rama and is celebrated
with the worship of girls and other females of the society

● Brahmostav, Kans ka Mela, Sravana festival, Ram Leela, Ganga Mahotsav

Popular Harvest Festivals Of Indian States

Region Name Festival Name

North India
• Makar Sankranti (January) – celebrated Pan India in different ways but
mainly in the north.
• Baisakhi (April)- Punjab and Haryana
• Ladakh Harvest Festival (September) - Ladakh, Zanskar, Kargil (J&K)
• Lohri (January) - Punjab
• Basant Panchami (January)– A festival to celebrate the birth of goddess
Saraswati, Celebrated in different states of North India

North East India

• Bhogali Bihu (January)– Assam
• Wangala (November)- Meghalaya and Assam
• Ka Pomblang Nongkrem (November) – Meghalaya

East And West India

• Nuakhai (August) – Orissa
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 • Gudi Padwa (March) – Maharashtra
• Nabanna (November and December) - West Bengal

South India
• Onam (August) – Kerala
• Pongal (January) - Tamil Nadu
• Ugadi (March) - Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
• Vishu (April) - Kerala and Karnataka

New Year Festivals

New Year Festivals Festival Name State Name

Ugadi / Chaitra Suddha Padyami Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
Gudi Padva Maharashtra
Samvastsar Padvo Goa
Naba Barsha West Bengal
Puthando Tamil Nadu
Vishu Kerala

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