Cultural Activities (Traditional General Knowledge) (Part-II)

Giddha is a folk dance of Punjab.

Tappa is a form of Indian semi-classical vocal music whose specialty is its rolling pace based on fast, subtle, knotty construction. It originated from the folk songs of the camel riders of Punjab and was developed as a form of classical music by Mian Ghulam Nabi Shori or Shori Mian, a court singer for Asaf-Ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh.

The lathi form of martial arts is performed in Punjab and West Bengal. This is an ancient martial art. Kalaripayattu is a martial art from Kerala, and thang-ta belongs to Manipur.

Kuchipudi, Kathak and Bharatanatyam are classical dances, while Bhangra is a folk dance. This dance is celebrated as a festival of harvesting.

The popular folk dance ‘Viyahula Giddha’ is performed during marriages in the Indian state of Punjab.

Fugdi is a folk dance of Goa. Bihu is a folk dance of Assam and Mach is a folk dance of Madhya Pradesh.

Bagurumba is a folk dance of the Bodo community in Assam. It is usually performed during Bwisagu, a Bodo festival at Vishuva Sankranti (mid-April). This dance is also known as the Bardavishikhla dance.

‘Mathuri’ folk dance is a famous tribal dance of Telangana state.

Ghoomar is the state dance of Rajasthan. This dance is performed by women on auspicious occasions, festivals etc.

The traditional folk dance ‘Dhangari Gaja’ belongs to the state of Maharashtra. This dance is performed by the people of the Gadaria caste of Solapur district, which is called ‘Dhangar’.