Gujarat has earned the title of ‘Land of Festivals’ as a result of the vast number of fairs and festivals held each year. On these days, traditional dance and music performances accompany the festivities. Gujarat has a long history of arts and culture, including classical melodies, dance, and theatrical art forms. Researchers believe that the performing arts tradition dates back to Lord Krishna’s childhood in Gokul. Gujarati folk dances are an essential part of the state’s rich cultural heritage. This article will go over the various Folk Dances of Gujarat with Pictures.
Table of Contents
Important Folk Dances of Gujarat
Check the various important folk dance forms of Gujarat in the below table.
| Folk Dance | Description |
| Garba | Garba is a traditional folk dance performed in circular formations during Navratri, a nine-night Hindu festival. Participants dance around a lit lamp or an idol of the goddess Durga, clapping and moving in rhythmic patterns. Colorful costumes and sticks may also be used. |
| Dandiya | Dandiya is a lively dance form performed during Navratri using small wooden sticks called dandiyas. Participants, usually in pairs, strike the sticks in synchronized patterns while dancing to traditional music. Dressed in vibrant attire, dancers create an energetic and joyful atmosphere. |
| Raas | Raas is another popular dance form associated with Navratri. It involves a rhythmic and coordinated movement of performers who hold decorated sticks called dandiyas. Raas is characterized by intricate footwork, twirls, and swift movements. |
| Bhavai | Bhavai is a traditional dance-drama that originated in the villages of Gujarat. It is performed by skilled artists balancing multiple pots or brass pitchers on their heads while executing graceful movements. The dance includes impressive acrobatic acts and dramatic storytelling, often revolving around tales from Hindu mythology or social themes. |
| Padhar | Padhar is a vibrant folk dance performed by the indigenous tribal communities of Gujarat, such as the Bhil and Rathwa tribes. It involves rhythmic footwork and graceful movements accompanied by traditional music and songs. |
Folk Dances of Gujarat with Pictures
Gujarat has a rich cultural history of arts and culture, which includes various classical songs, dance, and theatrical art forms. You should have a look at the several Folk Dances of Gujarat with Pictures below.
Garba
Garba is a popular Gujarati Folk dance. During the Navratri celebration, people usually perform this dance. Garbha is derived from a Sanskrit word that means “womb”. Garbi, Garbha, and Garbha Deep are some other popular names of Garba. The word ‘Deep’ in Garbha Deep signifies earthen lights. During Garba, dancers form a circle around the main flame and revolve around it. The Goddess of Power is shown by the center light, which does not change throughout time.
Dandiya
Dandiya which is also known as the stick dance is one of Gujarat’s most popular folk dances. This Beautiful dance is usually performed in groups and in a circular motion with measured steps. Dandiya is also known as “The Sword Dance” because the multi-colored sticks used throughout the dance symbolize Goddess Durga’s sword. Only women perform Garba. However, both men and women play dandiya. Dandiya is mostly performed by ladies in an elegant and rhythmic style, although when performed in couples, males also participate. Women usually dress in traditional Gujarati garbs, such as ghagras, cholis, and bandhani dupattas.
Bhavai
Bhavai is one of Rajasthan’s traditional folk dances. This is a very difficult dance style that should only be performed by professionals. While dancing professional female dancers carry 8 to 9 clay pitchers on their head. These skilled dancers balance a number of clay pots throughout this nail-biting, energetic dance, then swing with the soles of their feet placed on the rim of a brass thali or at the edge of a bare blade, and the top of a glass (plate). This unique dance style is said to have originated in Gujarat, but it was quickly adopted and changed by local tribal men and women, giving it a distinct Rajasthani flavor.
Tippani
Tippani is a Gujarati dance genre that originated in Saurashtra’s Chorwad district. The dance evolved from an ancient technique of beating lime into a house’s foundation with a timpani, a long pole with a square wooden or iron block at one end. Women established timpani dance to enjoy challenging and tedious tasks. The women form two lines, facing each other, singing and dancing to the rhythm of the timpani. During weddings and festivities, people perform this dance. It’s one of Gujarat’s most unique folk dances.
Padhar
Another prominent traditional dance in Gujarat is the Padhar dance, which members of the Padhar community perform. Mostly Padhar people are fishermen who reside along the banks of the Bhal regions of Nal Sarovar. They are Hindu devotees who worship Goddess Durga in different forms.
The dancer imitates situations that occur in the lives of seamen while performing this dance. This dance style depicts the rising and falling of sea waves and the roaming nature of a mariner’s employment. The dancers dance while carrying little sticks and singing about water.
Hudo
Hudo is a dance genre of the Bharwad Tribe, Gujarat’s shepherd group, and is another prominent folk dance. Sheep battles were the inspiration for the dance. This dancing style imitates the actions of two sheep banging their heads against one other. Traditional musical instruments such as the dholak, harmonium, flute, kansi, joda, and manjira accompany the dancers as they clap their hands repeatedly and vigorously. Beautiful garments worn by the dancers increase the beauty of this dance which is famous in Gujarat’s Panchal district.
Raas
The Raas is a dance form that is performed in such a way that includes the beating of pairs of sticks (dandiya) together. The Raas is a favorite dance of Krishna which can be seen in paintings and artwork. The Men and women often dance together in Raas. Nowadays Raas includes orchestras instead of the traditional drummer. It is one of the energetic Gujarat Folk Dances.
Folk Dances of Gujarat FAQs
Gujarat is known for its vibrant and colorful folk dances. Some popular folk dances of Gujarat include Garba, Dandiya Raas, Bhavai, Tippani, Hudo, Padhar, and Dangi Nritya.
Garba is a traditional Gujarati folk dance performed by both men and women during the Navratri festival. It involves rhythmic circular movements and graceful hand gestures while dancing in a circle around a lamp or an idol of Goddess Durga.
Dandiya Raas is another popular folk dance form of Gujarat performed during Navratri. It involves the use of decorated wooden sticks called “dandiyas” by partners who strike them together in synchronized movements.
Bhavai is a traditional folk theater form of Gujarat that combines dance, music, and drama. It involves balancing several pots on the head while performing intricate dance moves and stunts. The performers often depict mythological or historical stories.
Hudo is a folk dance performed by the Siddi community of Gujarat. The Siddis are an ethnic group with African roots. Hudo is a unique dance form that showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Siddi community through vibrant music, rhythmic footwork.
