Major Folk Dances of Madhya Pradesh

   

The state of Madhya Pradesh can be termed as a cultural museum of India. The place not only unifies many religions in its lap but is also home to some of the most prominent tribal communities of the country. These tribal and aborigines of Madhya Pradesh have contributed to the rich cultural saga of the place, intrinsically blending their indigenous cultures to its large melting pot.

 Karma

• This indigenous folk dance belongs to the Gond and Oraon tribe of Madhya Pradesh. 

• Considered as the oldest of all tribal dances in the state, it sees performance at the onset of the spring season.

• Musical instruments like Thumki, Payri, Challa, and Jhumki accompany the various tribal songs.             

Jawara

• People of the Bundelkhand region perform this dance, to celebrate prosperity.

• Originally, a peasant dance, Jawara follows the reaping of a good harvest.

• Men and women, in colorful costumes, dance and revel together, synchronizing their movements to a variety of musical instruments. 

Tertali

• Tertali is a folk dance of the Kamar tribe in Madhya Pradesh.

• Generally, two or three women of the tribe sit on the ground and initiate the dance performance. 

• Small metal cymbals called 'Manjiras' are tied to different parts of their body.

Lehangi

• Lehangi is a popular folk dance of the Banjara and Kanjar tribe of the Bhopal commissary of Madhya Pradesh and is performed during the blossoming monsoon period. 

• The Banjara tribe also performs this dance form during the festival of Rakhi. 

Ahiri Dance

• Ahiri Dance is a trademark of the cattle herders of Gwalior.

• The dance also has religious overtones, as the various communities of Gwalior who perform this dance, are considered to be the descendants of Lord Krishna. 

• People belonging to the Ahir, Gwala, Rawat, Raut, and Baredi communities generally perform Ahiri.

Baredi or Yadav Dance

• Baredi is an important folk dance of the Gwalior district. 

• Starting from Diwali, the dance is performed till the day of 'Karthik Purnima'.

Reena Dance 

• This folk dance is performed by women of Baiga and Gond tribes after Deepawali. Its theme is based on a love affair.

Chatkora Dance 

• This is a folk dance of the Korku tribe.

Bhagoria Dance

• This folk dance is performed by Bhils.

Mataki Dance

• This is a solo dance of Malwa Which is done on various occasions like marriage etc. This is done by Ahir and Gadariya castes.

Goncho Dance 

•  This folk dance is Performed by the Gond tribe.

Bar Dance

• This folk dance is Performed by the Kanwar tribe.

Pardhoni Dance

• This dance is performed by the Baiga tribe on marriage to welcome the marriage procession.

Kanra Dance

• This folk dance is performed by the Dhobi caste of Central India and Bundelkhand.

Badhai Dance  

• This folk dance is performed on joyful occasions in the Bundelkhand region.

Suwa Dance

• This folk dance is prevalent among the Baiga tribe.

• This dance is performed by the Baiga tribe of Baghelakhand at the time of paddy harvesting.

Saira Dance

• Saira dance is performed on the occasion on Gangaur. This is similar to the Dandia dance of Gujarat.

Regional Folk Dance of Madhya Pradesh

Nimar Region

• Gangaur Dance
• Kathi dance
• Mandalya Dance
• Danda Dance
• Ada Khada Dance
• 
  

Malwa Region 

• Matki Dance
• Ada Khada Rajwadi Dance
• Patang Dance

Bundelkhand Region

• Rai Dance
• Saira Dance
• Badhai Dance
• Tawara dance
• Naratna Dance

Baghelkhand Region

• Kehara Dance
• Kalsa Dance
• Sajan sajani Dance
• Dadar Dance
• Birha/ Ahirayi Dance
• Rai Dance
• Atari Dance
• Ahir or Birba Dance

Tribal Dance of Madhya Pradesh

• Bans Geet- Raut Tribe
• Bhagoriya Dance- Bhil
• Dussera and Dadriya dance- Baiga
• Duldul Ghodi- Tribes of Gwalior, Guna, and Shivpuri region
• Gondi- Gond
• Karma- Baiga
• Pardhoni- Baiga