Folk Dances of Rajasthan

The desert state of Rajasthan in India is famous for its rich culture and traditions. The Ghoomar and Kalbeliya dance from Rajasthan have been popular not only in India but also abroad. Here are the major folk dances from Rajasthan:

• Ghoomar – Ghoomar is performed by a group of women moving in circular fashion and in flowing and swirling long skirts called ‘ghaghras’ while their faces are covered with a veil.
• Kalbeliya – Kalbeliya dance is also known as sapera dance or snake charmer dance. This is a famous folk dance which is performed by the Kalbeliya tribe. Males play the traditional musical instruments like been, daphli, dholak etc while the women dance and swirl replicating the movements of snakes.
• Kathputli Dance – This is also called as the puppet dance. Stories and legends from mythology are told through puppets.
• Chakri Dance – Chakri dance is performed by the women of Kanjar tribe and is performed during festivals & marriages in Haroti region of the state.
• Chari Dance – This popular folk dance describes the art of carrying water in a chari or pot by the rural women of Rajasthan. In this dance, women hold charis or pots on their heads with a lighted lamp in the pot.