The Folk Dance of Rajasthan

Folk Dances (RPSC, RSMSSB, Rajasthan GK)

Ghumar dance

  1. Ghumar is the state dance of Rajasthan.
  2. It is performed only by women on Occasion like Marriage, Gangaur festivals, etc.
  3. It comprises eight special steps, which are called Sawai.
  4. This form exists in three forms:
    1. Ghumar
    2. Loor
    3. Jhoomariya
  5. Musical Instrument used:
    1. Shenai
    2. Nagara
    3. Dhol

Kacchi Ghodi dance

  1. Kacchi Ghodii dance is a popular dance of the Shekhawati region.
  2. It is performed only by Men.
  3. Musical Instrument used:
    • Chang

Agni/Fire dance

  1. It is performed by the people of the Jasnath Sect and the Banjara community.
  2. Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner protected the Agni dance.

Gair dance

  1. It is performed on the occasion of Holi festivals.
  2. The Gair dance of the Bhil tribe(men) of the Mewar is popular.
  3. Musical Instrument used:
    • Dhol
    • Curved dagger
    • Flat metal plate

Terah Tali Dance

  1. It is performed by the Kamar Sect women (Worshipper of the Lok Devta Ramdev Ji).
  2. Its origin place is the Padarla Village, Pali.
  3. The main performer of this dance is Mangai Bai.
  4. Musical Instrument used:
    1. Cymbals
    2. Tanpura(String instrument)

Chari dance

  1. It is performed by the Gujjar women in the region of Kishangarh.
  2. The main performer of this dance is Falku Bai of Kishangarh.

Walar dance

  1. It is the prominent dance of the Garasiya tribe in the region of Sirohi.
  2. Both the male and female participate in this dance.
  3. No use of musical Instrument in this dance.

Dhol dance

  1. It is popular dance of Jalore region.
  2. It is performed by the men of Dholi, Mali, Bhil, Sargara etc.

Bam dance

  1. It is a folk dance performed by the men on the occasion of Harvesting time of crops in Alwar, Bharatpur and Dholpur.
  2. Muscial Instrument used:
    • Drum/Bum/Nagar

Bhawai dance

  1. It is a professional dance in the Udaipur region.
  2. It was started by Baghoji Jat of Kekari(Ajmer).

Chakri dance

  1. It is a folk dance of the Kalbeliya people of Kota.
  2. The main performer of this dance is Gulabo.

Gindar dance

  1. It is a folk dance of the Shekhawati region.
  2. It is performed only by the Men.
  3. Musical Instrument used:
    • Nagara(Kettledrum)

Ghurla dance

  1. It is performed on the day of Sheetalastami in the Marwar region.
  2. This dance performed by the girls by Keeping lamps in a perforated earthen pot.

Garba dance

  1. It is the folk dance of the Dungarpur and Banswara region.
  2. It is performed on the Occasion of Holi.

Chag dance

  1. It is a folk dance of the Shekhawati region which is done by the men on the Occasion of Holi festival.

Dang dance

  1. It is performed in the Nathdwara region on the Occasion of Holi festival.

Gawari/Rai dance

  1. The Bhil tribes of Mewar perform it.
  2. Gawari represents Goddess Parwati. Lord Shiva is called Puriya.

Shankariya dance

  1. It is a folk dance of Kalbeliya caste.
  2. This dance mainly based on the love stories.

Bindoli dance

  1. It is the folk dance of Jhalawar region which is performed on the occasion of Holi festival.

Pabuji ka Phach dance

Dance forms of the tribes

Garasiya tribe

  1. Walar
  2. Loor
  3. Mandal
  4. Moriya
  5. Kud
  6. Jwara

Kalbeliya tribe

  1. Panihari
  2. Indoni
  3. Chakri
  4. Baghriya
  5. Sapera
    • It is the only dance of Rajasthan which is included in the world heritage list of UNESCO.
  6. Shankariya

Bhil tribe

  1. Gawari
  2. Neja
  3. Dwichakri
  4. Ghumar
  5. Thumra
  6. Shikar
  7. Yudh

Banjara tribe

  1. Nahar
  2. Machali
  3. Penjan

Mev tribe

  1. Ratwai
  2. Rambaja

Kathori tribe

  1. Holi dance
  2. Mawaliya dance

Sahariya tribe

  1. Shikari dance

Source – Government of Rajasthan Website.