India is a country with rich ethnicity in culture and traditions. Every state in India has its own artistic performances art music and dance forms with numerous dance competitions taking place across the country. Folk dance is one of the most popular and lively forms of cultural performance embodying life, history, and people. And now let me introduce you to something extraordinarily important – the world of Indian folk dance.

The Very Basics of Folk Dance.

Folk dance is the type of dance that emerged from the various traditions across India. In contrast to most modern dance styles in international-level dance competitions, folk dances have little regard for proper technique. Folk dances are more experimental dance forms that are performed at parties, carnivals, or any Indian group dance competition. These dances have been taught for generations and through imitation without necessarily requiring formal training and are very much part of the community’s tradition. India has a vast land area and diverse traditions and due to this, the country has various forms of folk dances. Typically, each state and region is characterized by unique styles, costumes, music, and movements. Let’s look at some of the most well-known folk dance forms across the country that will also be performed in India’s biggest dance competition.

Bhangra (Punjab)

One of the most energetic folk dance forms is Bhangra, associated with the harvest festival of Baisakhi, which is danced by men only. It includes movements, leaps, and the sound that made Bhangra famous all over the world. Gidda, the female dance, is also spirited and involves clapping, singing, and certain movements of the hands and body.

Garba and Dandiya (Gujarat)

Garba and Dandiya Raas are the two dance forms that are performed during the Navratri celebrations. Garba is danced in circles or circular motions with clapping. While Dandiya involves dancing with sticks or dandiyas reproducing rhythmic beats.

Lavani (Maharashtra)

Lavani is a sensual and passionate dance form that is participated by women and accompanied by the music of dholki. It can be described as involving fast movements, displays of elegance as well as strong emotions. Lavani is often accompanied by the narrative of love, courage, and social concerns.

Bihu (Assam):

Rongali Bihu is the biggest occasion of the Assamese society and Bihu is an active brisk dance performed during this joyous occasion. It involves moving the feet fast, gesturing the hands, and moving the hips fast and haphazardly. Moreover, it is accompanied by traditional musical instruments such as dhol, pepa, and gogona.

Ghoomar (Rajasthan):

Ghoomar dance is a popular and elegant dance form from Rajasthani tradition which is usually danced by women during festivals. Women move around in circles, and the impressive long skirts (ghagras) look very beautiful. The dance commonly is performed with songs and clapping in their traditional manner.

Yakshagana (Karnataka):

 This is a Sanskrit-based dance drama of Karnataka which is a rich blend of dance music and drama and usually portrays myths. They also both have large dance numbers with shows, elaborate makeup, and energetic movements and facial expressions.

 The Cultural Significance

Folk dances in India are not merely related to entertainment but are part and parcel of the people’s culture, social, and even religious calendar. They serve various purposes, such as:

 1. Celebration:

Some of the traditional dances performed include Festival dances, Wedding dances, and dances for joyous occasions. They facilitate the bringing together of people in a given society, hence, adding to the unity of the society.

 2. Storytelling:

 In many folk dance performances, there is the narration of a mythological, historical, or folk story. These stories are told, remembered, and passed on through the performance and play an important role in the region’s folkloristic tradition.

 3. Rituals and Traditions:

 Some folk dances are performed with religious or ritual connotations and are danced in a bid to call for blessings, chase away evil spirits, or pray for a good harvest.

 4. Social Commentary:

 Some folk dances may depict some social aspects relating to the common endowment of the community, the culture, the norms and ethics, and social vices among the people. Most of the time, they focus on how ordinary people endure the traumas of life.

5. Preserving the Heritage

In today’s society, the aim of conserving folk dance is vital in ensuring that people’s traditions and norms are upheld. Attempts are being made by various organizations, cultural groups, and governments most of whom are documenting, encouraging, and imparting the said conventional dance forms. They aim to make the beauty of the Indian folk dance familiar to people. They plan to achieve this by conducting festivals, workshops, and dance competitions both within and outside the country in international-level dance competitions.

 Conclusion

Folk dance is an ever-pulsating form of art belonging to India and it depicts the rich cultural base that the country has. Every dance technique and its meaning reveals the history of the territory and those who inhabit it. Thus, native Indian performances in Indian group dance competitions represent an important part of the country’s cultural heritage. Furthermore, their continuation secures the eternal appreciation and love for India’s traditions for future generations.

Folk dances are not just dance programs; they are the reflection of India’s heart. They embody the spirit of the different communities; the happy moments; the hardships; the values; and the dreams. These dances are evidence of the creative spirit of the Indian people who could not be stopped from dancing and creating music even in difficult conditions. The study and performance of folk dance is not only an act of preserving an art form but also a way of unlocking and embracing the past. In the present day, globalization is pushing the world into uniformity of cultures, and therefore, it can only be refreshing to watch and learn about Indian folk dances, especially through international-level dance competitions. They remind us of togetherness, culture, and the value of cherishing life and all it has to offer.

It is important to preserve and revive the folk dances in IIGF. This includes not only recording and passing on these dances but also establishing avenues through which such dances can be displayed and celebrated. The continuance of these traditions is supported through cultural festivals, academic research, and communities. Furthermore, folk dances can and should be spread to a larger extent through modern technology and social media in IIGF.

Folk dancers need an opportunity to showcase their art on an international stage. And India’s International Groove Fest (IIGF) gives them that golden opportunity. IIGF provides a special category to folk dancers and the winners are awarded exciting cash prizes. Furthermore, you get to network with people from across the globe as well as the opportunity to travel.

Folk dance also promotes cross-cultural and intercultural understanding. When they practice these dances, individuals from various parts of the world come to understand the culture of India. The sharing of such cultural information can also ensure respect and understanding from both worlds and, therefore, enhance the creation of cultural dividends across the world. In the preservation of folk dances, we also make our support and participation in the preservation and enhancement of cultural values. This means that as a people, we pay homage to our forefathers in the sense that we continue to maintain their legacy of the arts, values, and culture. We also guide the next generations to develop an appreciation of their culture and make efforts to dig deeper into this area. Particularly through Indian group dance competitions and through India’s biggest dance competition.

Therefore, there is more to watch when enjoying folk dances – you get a vivid spectacle of a culture’s heritage developed through generations. We will continue to popularize the folk dances of India so that the flavor and qualities of the Indian spirit continue to live on, especially through IIGF.