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377 dance, music, theatre, puppetry and martial traditions across 35 states and union territories — filter by state, or by how you'd like to take part.
377 performing arts
Performing ArtKarnataka
Veerabhadra Kunithaವೀರಭದ್ರ ಕುಣಿತವು
A vigorous ritual dance in devotion to Veerabhadra, danced with fierce energy at temple festivals across Karnataka.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Dollu Kunithaಡೊಳ್ಳು ಕುಣಿತ
A vigorous drum dance from northern Karnataka, performed by troupes beating large dollu drums in acrobatic formation.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Veeragaseವೀರಗಾಸೆ
A high-energy devotional dance re-enacting Veerabhadra's mythic fury, performed with sword and elaborate costume.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Pata Kunithaಪಟ ಕುಣಿತ
A flag dance performed at temple processions, dancers swaying tall bamboo poles topped with colourful banners.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Yakshaganaಯಕ್ಷಗಾನ
Coastal Karnataka's night-long dance-drama, blending stylised movement, live percussion and sung narration to stage the Hindu epics.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Kamsaleಕಂಸಲೆ
A devotional cymbal dance performed by devotees of Mahadeshwara, building from steady rhythm to acrobatic intensity.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Pooja Kunithaಪೂಜಾ ಕುಣಿತ
A ritual worship dance performed with a decorated ceremonial pole, carried and balanced through village streets during temple festivals.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Huliveshaಹುಲಿವೇಷ
Karnataka's 'tiger dance' — performers painted in bold tiger stripes prowl and leap through the streets during Dasara.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Bhootharadhaneಭೂತಾರಾಧನೆ
Coastal Karnataka's ancestral spirit-worship ritual, in which a performer is believed to become the vessel for a guardian spirit.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Nandi Dhwaja Kunithaನಂದಿ ಧ್ವಜ ಕುಣಿತ
A processional dance built around a tall bull-topped ceremonial standard, carried in devotion to Shiva's mount, Nandi.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Somana Kunithaಸೋಮನ ಕುಣಿತ
A masked folk dance performed in devotion to the local guardian deity Soma, danced with large painted wooden masks.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Ramayana Dramaರಾಮಾಯಣ ನಾಟಕ
Episodes from the Ramayana are staged across Karnataka through dance-drama traditions like Yakshagana, brought to life through stylised movement, song and dialogue.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Mahabharatha Dramaಮಹಾಭಾರತ ನಾಟಕ
Episodes from the Mahabharata are staged across Karnataka through dance-drama traditions like Yakshagana, bringing the epic's battles and dilemmas to life.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Mahishasuramardini Dramaಮಹಿಷಾಸುರಮರ್ದಿನಿ ನಾಟಕ
A dance-drama depicting the goddess Chamundeshwari's battle with the buffalo demon Mahishasura, performed especially around Mysuru's Dasara.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Nagamandalaನಾಗಮಂಡಲ
A night-long ritual performance honouring the serpent deity Naga, centred on an elaborate serpent design drawn on the ground.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Gombeyaataಗೊಂಬೆಯಾಟ
Karnataka's traditional string-puppet theatre, staging the Ramayana and Mahabharata through metre-tall wooden marionettes carved, painted and voiced by a single family of puppeteers.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Goravara Kunithaಗೊರವನ ಕುಣಿತ
A trance-like devotional dance performed by initiated Gorava devotees of the Kuruba Gowda community, danced in bearskin headgear and a black woollen wrap to the beat of a hand-held damaru.
Performing ArtKarnataka
Mahakali/Aghori Kunithaಮಹಕಾಳಿ/ಅಘೋರಿ ಕುಣಿತ
A fierce ritual dance invoking Mahakali and the ash-smeared intensity of Aghori ascetic imagery, performed with dramatic makeup and trance-like movement at Karnataka's temple festivals.
Performing ArtWest Bengal
Chhau Dance (Purulia Chhau)পুরুলিয়া ছৌ নৃত্য
A masked semi-classical martial dance from Purulia district, performed during the spring Chaitra Parva festival.
Performing ArtWest Bengal
Gambhira Danceগম্ভীরা
A folk-theatre form from Birbhum and the adjoining districts, where a masked narrator plays Shiva recounting tales — often with sharp social satire — to Parvati.
Performing ArtWest Bengal
Dhunuchi Danceধুনুচি নাচ
An offering-dance of Durga Puja in Bengal, in which devotees dance balancing clay dhunuchi incense-burners ablaze with smouldering coconut husk.
Performing ArtWest Bengal
Baul Danceবাউল
The ecstatic dance-songs of Baul mystics of Bengal — wandering minstrels whose tradition blends elements of Sufi and Vaishnava spirituality.
Performing ArtWest Bengal
Jhumur Danceঝুমুর
A harvest-season circle-dance of the Adivasi and Sadan communities of the Chotanagpur plateau, performed across Jharkhand, Odisha and the western districts of West Bengal.
Performing ArtWest Bengal
Santhal Danceসাঁওতাল নৃত্য
The collective dances of the Santhal Adivasi community of eastern India — performed at the Baha parab spring festival and at community gatherings across West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha.