Assam, a northeastern state in India, has a rich cultural heritage that includes a variety of traditional folk dances. These dances are vibrant, lively, and often accompanied by traditional music and costumes. The state is home to a number of indigenous tribes and races, each of which has its own fairs and festivals. This has led to the propagation of numerous dance forms throughout the region. The different dance forms in the state can be broadly categorized under two headings, classical dances, and folk dances. The below article will tell you about all the Important Folk Dances of Assam and the folk dance forms of Assam.
Important Folk Dances of Assam
You can check the below table which consists of the overview table of the important folk dances of Assam.
| Dance Style | Description |
|---|---|
| Bihu | Bihu is a folk dance from the state of Assam in India. It is performed during the Bihu festival, which marks the agricultural cycle. The dance is characterized by energetic movements, rapid footwork, and vibrant costumes. |
| Jhumur | Jhumur is a traditional dance form from the eastern region of India, particularly popular in the state of West Bengal and Jharkhand. It is performed during social gatherings and festivals. Jhumur dancers move in rhythmic steps, often imitating the movements of birds and animals. |
| Ojapali | Ojapali is a vibrant dance form from the state of Assam in northeastern India. It is primarily associated with the worship of Lord Krishna. Ojapali dancers depict episodes from the life of Lord Krishna through graceful movements, intricate footwork, and expressive gestures. |
| Bhaona | Bhaona is a religious dance drama form from the state of Assam, deeply rooted in the Vaishnavite tradition. It combines elements of theater, music, and dance to depict mythological stories, particularly those related to Lord Krishna. Bhaona dancers portray various characters through elaborate costumes, masks, and makeup. |
| Deodhani | Deodhani is a tribal dance form from the Indian state of Odisha. It is performed by the Deodhani community during religious ceremonies and festivals. Deodhani dancers wear intricate costumes, including colorful headgear and traditional jewelry. |
Folk Dances of Assam with Pictures
Assam is the state of culture and various forms of arts, here we’ve provided several Folk Dances of Assam with pictures below.
Bihu
Bihu is the most famous and widely celebrated folk dance of Assam. It is performed during the Bihu festivals, which are three agricultural festivals held at different times of the year: Rongali Bihu (spring), Bhogali Bihu (harvest), and Kongali Bihu (autumn). Bihu dance is characterized by rhythmic movements, brisk steps, and energetic gestures. It is performed by both men and women in groups, usually accompanied by traditional musical instruments like dhol (drum), Pepa (hornpipe), and taal (cymbals).
Bhaona
This dance form is basically performed in the village Namghars and Satras, in order to promote the Vaishnavite culture in Assam. It is actually a theatrical depiction of the one-act play Ankiya Nat, initiated by Sankardeva. An integral part of the dance is the Sutradhara, who recites the slokas, sings, dances, and explains the various stages of Bhaona in detail. Another form of dance included in Bhaona is the Natuwa or Cali dance. One of the subdivisions of this dance form is the Hajowaliya, which is basically a woman’s dance and is a combination of both Tandava and Lasya.
Bagurumba
Bagurumba is a graceful folk dance performed by the Bodo community of Assam. It is typically performed by women wearing traditional Bodo attire, which includes dokhona (a two-piece dress) and aronai (a scarf). The dance is accompanied by the melodious tunes of the bamboo flute, drums, and traditional songs. Bagurumba is known for its rhythmic footwork, swaying movements, and colorful formations.
Jhumur
Jhumur is a popular folk dance of the tea garden communities in Assam. It is performed during various social and cultural events. Jhumur dance is characterized by fast-paced movements, rhythmic footwork, and vibrant costumes. The dancers, both men and women, often form circles and perform synchronized steps to the beats of traditional musical instruments like madol (a cylindrical drum) and Tasha (a type of cymbal).
Ojapali
Ojapali is a traditional dance form associated with the worship of Lord Krishna in Assam. It is performed by male dancers, known as Oja, who narrate mythological stories and sing devotional songs while dancing. The dancers wear elaborate costumes and headdresses and use gestures, facial expressions, and acrobatic movements to depict various characters from the stories.
Deodhani
Deodhani is a dance form associated with the worship of the snake goddess Manasa. This dance is performed by a girl who, in a trance-like inspired state, goes on dancing to the beats of the Ciphung (flute) and the Kham (drum). At one stage of the dance, she even takes a sword and a shield performing a virile war dance, honoring various gods and goddesses, like Shiva, Lakshmi etc.
Satriya Dance
Satriya dance is a renowned classical dance of Assam, which was introduced by Srimanta Shankardev to propagate the religion of Vaishnavism. This form of dance is one of the eight principal classical dance forms of India and has great cultural significance in the social scenario of the state. The basic aim of the Mahapurush, behind the Satriya dance, was to preach to the common people the religious teachings that were commonly inaccessible to them.
Folk Dances of Assam FAQs
Assam is known for its vibrant folk dances. Some famous folk dances of Assam include the Bihu dance, Bagurumba, Ojapali, Sattriya, Bhortal Nritya, and Jhumur dance.
The Bihu dance is one of the most popular folk dances of Assam. It is performed during the Bihu festival, which is a major cultural festival in the state. The Bihu dance is characterized by energetic movements, synchronized steps, and vigorous gestures.
Ojapali is a traditional folk dance form of Assam that combines elements of music, dance, and theater. It is performed by a group of male artists who sing religious and mythological songs while enacting scenes from the epics.
Sattriya is a classical dance form that originated in the Vaishnavite monasteries (Sattras) of Assam. Although it is classified as a classical dance, it incorporates elements of folk traditions as well. Sattriya dance is characterized by its fluid and graceful movements.
Yes, Assamese folk dances have distinct costumes and props. For example, the Bihu dance costumes typically include colorful traditional attire for men and women, with women wearing mekhela chador (a two-piece garment) and men wearing dhoti and kurta.