India has always amazed travelers by its unique places, ancient temples, UNESCO World Heritage sites, National Monuments, and eyecatching attractions. India is famous for its vibrant festivals, snow-capped hills, adventure sports, golden beaches, famous dishes, and different traditions. You will find a new culture in every nook and corner of this country. India celebrates every festival with enthusiasm, pride, and joy. Dance festivals in India are gaining popularity day by day and attracting various art lovers across the world.
“To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak” according to this Indian proverb, dance is the best way to speak to ourselves. Dance is a way to express emotions, convey feelings, and embrace love. India has had varied dance forms since the medieval period and has a rich dance culture mentioned in Puranas. Every state of the country has its classical dance form, every festival in India sets the tone and dance floor uniquely.
You can witness many types of dance in India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. These dance forms may be religious, other dance forms are performed for entertainment, and some dance forms are performed during festive occasions. These classical dance forms are linked to nine emotions or called ‘Rasa’ namely anger, happiness, agony, peace, fear, courage, surprise, kindness, and disgust. Many famous dances in India show devotion and thanks towards the almighty.
Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, Sattriya, Manipuri, and Mohiniyatam are popular classical Indian dance names. To the artists and dance connoisseurs, these dance festivals of India provide a common platform to showcase their talent and appreciate them. For classical dance lovers, these festivals prove to be a magical treat for their eyes and ears. For the artists, performing in such grand dance festivals gives them a lifelong experience. Some popular types of dance festivals in India are mentioned below.
Hampi Dance Festival, Karnataka
Hampi dance festival is a major tourist attraction in the state of Karnataka. This is one of the Indian classical dance festivals organized in October and November. This festival celebrated the culture and traditions of the Hampi and was held between the rocks and ruins that dated back hundreds of years. This festival attracts renowned artists across the country and world as Hampi is a World Heritage Site.
This festival depicts the rich culture of Kannadigas in the field of dance, music, and art from the Vijayanagar empire period. The government of Karnataka promotes this event every year to attract people all over the world to partake in this. Classical dance forms, leather puppets, and bright color handicrafts are the main highlights of this event.
Khajuraho Festival, Madhya Pradesh
Khajuraho dance festival is the earliest traditional dance festival promoted by the tourism body of the government. Khajuraho festival is held in February and March in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. This extravaganza cultural event takes place in front of the Chitragupta temple in an open-air auditorium. Ancient temples in the backdrop make this event unique in a way and it is a treat to the eyes.
Khajuraho is a small village in Bundelkhand famous for celebrating Indian classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, and many more by the renowned artists of the country. It is one of the prominent Indian classical dance festivals that attracts massive crowds even across the globe.
Konark Dance Festival, Odisha
Konark dance festival is one of the spectacular dance & music festivals in India. This dance festival is celebrated in Odisha, setting Sun Temple in the backdrop in an open-air auditorium made this mesmerizing for the visitors. It is one of the popular folk festivals in India to bring artists across the world on the same platform to celebrate this feast.
There are two dance festivals held in Konark, the first one is organized by the Konark Natya Mandap and the second one is organized by the state tourism department. You have the great opportunity to witness Odisha’s dance forms like Odissi, Gotipua, and Mayurbhanj Chhau. This fiesta runs for 3 days and leaves the spectators in awe.
Mamallapuram Utsav, Tamil Nadu
Mamallapuram dance festival is growing popular with every year passing. Mamallapuram is a small beach temple city situated in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. Mamallapuram is famous for its 7th-8th century ancient temples that attract travelers across the world every year. Arjuna’s Penance looks splendid in the backdrop as the Mamallapuram dance festival occurs.
Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, and Kathak are some popular dance styles of India that are performed in this dance festival. The atmosphere of the town is suitable for festive vibes as the gentle breezes blowing over the sea sets the tone. This beautiful dance festival is held every year in January and February. Experience this cultural extravaganza and witness some renowned artists across the country showcasing their talent.
Bamnia Chhau Dance Festival, West Bengal
Chhau folk dance is celebrated in the Purulia district of West Bengal with great enthusiasm. This dance-drama folk style includes martial arts like movements and energetic dance movements. Dancers use colorful handcrafted masks for this particular dance festival. During the Chaitra Parab festival held in the Chota Nagpur region in easter India, the Chhau dance programs are common. You can also attend the Chhau festival in Bamnia in West Bengal situated near Kolkata.
The Chhau dancers enacted the stories from the Hindu epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas. During the spring season, this dance is celebrated with the fusion of classical Hindu dances and the traditions of ancient regional tribes.
Mukteshwar Dance Festival, Odisha
Mukteshwar dance festival is another classical dance festival held in Bhubaneshwar every year. This dance festival is organized by the state government and the tourism department to promote the Odissi dance style. This annual Odissi dance festival is held at the 10th century-old Mukteshwar temple in January every year. Various reputed national and international artistes performed at this festival.
With lighting and special effects, the areas around the Mukteshwar temple are specially decorated to give the perfect backdrop for the artists. This event starts with Shiva Vandana dedicated to Lord Shiva and is followed by dance programs of various artists.
Sirpur Music and Dance Festival, Chhattisgarh
Sirpur music and dance festival bind tourists through the cultural medium of music and dance. This music and dance festival is the youngest dance festival in India. It is organized along with the 7th century Laxman temple and various events occur for the three days bringing the finest performances of dance and music. Apart from this dance and music, one can witness the old-world charm this city possesses.
This is one of the popular tribal festivals of India that works as a great crowd-puller. During this three-day-long event performers from all over the country exhibit eye-catching performances of dance and music. These performances will take you to another world filled with beauty and solace. This festival starts on the last of January month.
Soorya Dance Festival, Kerala
Soorya Dance Festival Kerala is one of the most prominent cultural events in India organized by the Soorya Stage and Film Society. This festival is held in the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, and lasted for more than a hundred days. The motto of this dance festival is to achieve “Integration through Culture” to propagate the rich Indian culture around the world. Several distinguished personalities in various fields of dance, music, and art marked their presence at this festival.
The main purpose of organizing this festival is to promote the Indian culture, arts, and folk festivals in India. This festival works as a showreel for straight hundred days that exhibits the rich artistic tradition including music, dance, poetry, cinema, drama, and documentary. The founder of Soorya Stage and Film Society, Nataraja Krishnamoorthy is popularly known as Soorya Krishnamoorthy is considered the pioneer of light and sound shows in the South. This festival adds another feather when it is recognized as the longest festival of Asia by the Limca Book of Records.
Elephanta Dance Festival, Maharashtra
Elephanta Dance Festival Maharashtra is organized by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). This festival is celebrated on Elephanta island in Mumbai next to Elephanta Caves a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to promote culture and tourism. Gharapuri was the initial name of this Island that represents the “peaceful living place of Lord Shiva”, Elephanta Caves was given by the Portuguese after they found out the carved elephant painting on the island
Illuminated Maheshmurti, the Shiva idol is the main highlight of the festival. This is situated in the main cave and lit up to provide a beautiful background for the festival settings. This festival is a week-long extravaganza where many renowned dancers, singers, and artists performed. This festival starts with a local fisherman named Koli’s live dance performance. During this festival, you can also witness the Shehnai program at the Gateway of India.
Ellora Ajanta Dance Festival, Maharashtra
The Ellora festival which is also known as the Ellora Ajanta Dance Festival Maharashtra is organized by the Aurangabad Dance Committee. This festival in Aurangabad is an old-age tradition that focuses on appreciating the culture as well as the monuments and architecture of the city. This festival lasts for three days and will attract millions of travelers across the globe and gives them treasured memories in return.
The Ellora festival is held at Soneri Mahal and showcases a mix of folk and classical performances from the best artists of the country. This is one of the most important dance festivals on the list of classical dance festivals in India starting in the year 2002. A craft hut called Kalagram has also started a fest called Lokotsav which focuses mainly on crafts and pottery.
Modhera Dance Festival, Gujarat
Modhera Dance Festival Gujarat is held at the Sun temple in Mehsana district, the temple is dedicated to the Sun god. During this festival, the sun temple acts as a magnificent backdrop for the classical dances held for three days. Every year Modhera Dance Festival attracts national and international tourists. Tourism Corporation of Gujarat organized this festival every year. This festival is held in January after the Kite festival gets over. The dance festival and the Sun temple is a must-see attraction in Gujarat.
If you want to explore India from a different perspective then do visit Dance festivals in India in 2022. These classic cultural events will leave you mesmerized and you’ll get to know about so many folk festivals and traditional dance styles of the country.
