Dances of India

thumb|A Shiva Nataraja idol in Tamil Nadu, India

Indian folk dance that originated from the state of Gujarat

several types of dance originating from the Punjab region

Ritual folk dance from India

Lavani is a genre of music popular in Maharashtra, India. Lavani is a combination of traditional song and dance, which particularly performed to the beats of dholki, a percussion instrument. Lavani is noted for its powerful rhythm. Lavani has contributed substantially to the development of Marathi folk theatre. In Maharashtra and southern Madhya Pradesh it is performed by the female performers wearing nine-yard long sarees also called Lugade saree. The songs are sung in a quick tempo.

Bengali classical dance tradition

thumb|Bhutesvara Yakshis (2nd century CE), [[Mathura art]]

historical folk dance

type of dance

traditional dance of India

Saang, also known as Swang (meaning "imitation") or Svang, is a popular folk dance–theatre form and a traditional style of storytelling in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. Swang incorporates suitable theatrics and mimicry (or naqal) accompanied by song and dialogue. It is dialogue-oriented rather than movement-oriented. Religious stories and folk tales are enacted by a group of ten or twelve persons in an open area or an open-air theatre surrounded by the audience. Swang as an art of imitation means Rang-Bharna, Naqal-Karna.

right|thumb|Tawaif Mah Laqa Bai dancing in court Mujra is a dance performance that emerged during Mughal emperor in Indian subcontinent, where the elite class and local rulers like the nawabs (often connected to the Mughal emperor's court) used to frequent tawaifs (courtesans) for entertainment.

thumb|alt=Thiruvathirakali|Thiruvathirakali thumb|alt=Thiruvathirakali|Thiruvathirakali at Sri Kurumbakkavu, Poikkattussery Thiruvathirakali is a unique group dance of women in Kerala. The dance is performed by women in small groups, both as part of and apart from religious rituals. Generally on Onam and Thiruvathira day in the month of Dhanumas, women perform this art form by singing the praises of Shiva Parvati in Shiva temples etc. Thiruvathirakali is especially for women who observe Thiruvathira Vradam. This art form is also known as Kaikottikali and Kummikali with slight variations.

type of dance

thumb | right | alt=Karnataka's folklore Beesu Kamsale a variety of Kamsale | Karnataka's folklore Beesu Kamsale a variety of Kamsale Kamsale (Kannada: ಕಂಸಾಳೆ ನೃತ್ಯ), is a folk art performed by the devotees of God Mahadeshwara. It is performed using Kamsale, brass made idiophones (musical instrument). It's a popular folk art in Southern Karnataka especially Chamarajanagara, Ramanagara, Mandya and Mysore, Kollegal, Nanjangudu and outskirts of Bengaluru.

right|250px|thumb|Tribal women participating in Dhimsa dance in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh Dhimsa is a tribal dance form that is performed primarily by Porja caste women in Andhra Pradesh.

Dakkebali is a form of snake worship, also referred to as nagaradhane as well as worship of nature by Tulu people of Tulunadu. It is typically practiced in the Udupi district, Karnataka, India. The festival is held once every other year, alternating with the Paryaya festival at nearby Udupi. It is also held every year in Thantrady Bairy Bettu Udupi District Dakkebali (Bramha mandala). This pooja is performed for Naga, Bramha, Raktheshwari, Nandikonna, Haygulli, Kshetrapala, Bagilu Bobbarya, Motukalu Bobbarya, and Yakshi. This is Pancha Shaiva kshetra, and the current priest is Sri Nagaraja Bai

Nacni means female dancer in north Indian languages. In the east-central Indian states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Orissa, the term nacnī (lit. "dancer" pronounced NUCH-nee) refers to female performers who sing and dance professionally in rural areas, accompanied by male ḍhulkī and nagarā drummers who move around the stage with her.

thumb|The Mohiniyattam of Kerala is an example of the Lasya dance thumb|Nupi Challi Pareng (basic feminine movement) Lasya forms important part of Manipuri dance.

thumb|right|Nagapatri at belle brahmastana thumb|right|Nagabana at Belle Badagumane, Moodubelle, Udupi thumb|right|Union of nagabrahma and nagakannike at a mandala held in Belle Brahmastana, Udupi thumb|right|A Mandala drawn during nagamandala

dance performed by people dressed as tigers

type of dance