Salient features of the important folk dances

List the salient features of the important folk dances of either central India or North-Eastern India.

The term folk dance is reserved and is mainly kept for dances which are, to a major degree bound by tradition. However, with time, these dances have laid down the foundation for a number of modern dances. The multi-cultural country of India has also seen the development as well as growth of folk dances till date. In the following lines, we have provided.information on the popular folk dances of central India and North-Eastern India.

Central Indian Folk Dances:

• Muria Dance - The Muria tribals of North Bastar area are known for performing the folk dances of Muria. One of the popular Muria dances comprises Har Endanna dance, performed by boys and girls during marriages. Then, there is the Karsana dance, performed for fun and enjoyment. As for the Hulki dance, it is the most beautiful of all Muria dances and has boys moving in a circular fashion, while the girls make their way through them.

• Saila Dance - Saila dance is the form of Chhattisgarh. It is performed by young boys in the post harvest time. It is basically a stick-dance, in which dancers standing on one leg and supporting himself by holding on to the man in front, form a circle. Then, all of them jump together, going round and round. Saila dance is popular among the people of Sarguja, Chhindwara and Betul districts. It is also known as Danda Nach or Dandar Pate in this region.

• Karma Dance - Popular among the Gonds and Baigas of Chhattisgarh and the Oraohs of Madhya Pradesh, Karma dance is associated with the fertility cult. This dance form represents the coming of green branches on trees, during the spring season. It is related to the Karma festival, which falls in the month of August.

• Kaksar Dance -  Kaksar dance is performed by people in hope of reaping a rich harvest and is popular among the Abhujmarias of Bastar. It is mainly undertaken by yourngtbocyhsoaonsde their life in order to invoke the blessings of the deity and opportunity to boys and girls to  partners.
• Gaur Dance Gaur dance is a popular folk dance originated in Madhya Pradesh and is popular in the Sing Marias or Tallaguda Marias of South Bastar. It involves men wearing head-dresses, with stringed 'cowries' and plumes of peacock feathers, making their way to the dancing ground. They beat the drums, tossing the horns and feathers of their head-gears to the rising tempo, which gives a wilder touch to the dance. Women, ornamented with brass fillets and bead necklaces around their tattooed bodies, also join the gathering.

North-Eastern Indian Folk Dances:

• Bihu Dance of Assam - The Bihu Dance is a folk based dance of Assam which is deeply connected to the festival of Bihu. This is a joyful dance that is participated by men as well as women. The distinguishing feature of this dance are the rapid symmetrical dance steps and the coordinated movements of hands. This dance is participated by both male and female dancers who maintain different gender based roles. The females follow more complicated circle formations. The lyrics of the Bihu dance relate to the new year, farming cycles, Assamese festivals and the socio-political scenario of Assam.
• Pung Chalom of Manipur - This is a famous Manipuri Dance which is said to be the soul of Sankirtana music of Manipur. This is a unique dance that is a prelude to the famous Ras Lila dance. This dance moves to the beat of the pung which is a kind of hand operated drum, wherein the male and the female dancers move in symphony. The dance of Pung Chalom is heavily inspired by the tribal dance of Maibi Jaogi. The Pung Chalom dance is also popularly known as Dhol Chalom. The Holi festival known as Yingthang and Malwa Utsav are important events where the Pung Chalom is performed.
• Zeliang Folk Dance of Nagaland - Zeliang is a special dance form of Nagaland which sees the participation of female dancers. Unlike the other conservative tribes of Nagaland, the members of the Zeliang tribe allow their women members to participate in dance alongwith the men. The participants start entering the dance stage with some peculiar movements that are characterised by foot stamping sounds. The dance performance is punctuated by a fier rhythm.
• Hojagiri Dance of Tripura- Hojagiri is one of the most popular dance form of Tripura. It is typically performed on the auspicious occasion of the Hojagiri Laxmi Puja which is held in the full moon night that comes during the stretch of Durga Puja that happens after the 3rd day prior to Dussehra. This beautiful dance is accompanied by ardent worship of Goddess Laxmi. or Mailuma. The Hojagiri dance is performed by Riang clan of Tripura tribes and they are expert in this type of performance.
• Singhi Chham of Sikkim - Singhi Chham is a kind of masked dance perfomed in Sikkim. It is also felicitated as the guardian dance of Sikkim. This dance is based on the Snow Lion which is actually the symbol of Sikkim. This beautiful dance is performed in the month of September and shows a great representation of Sikkimese culture.              Another interesting fact is that there are only two dancers involved in this dance. The dancers have to step inside the snow lion costume.