Bihar

Bihar dance comprises of various dances of folk and rural origin. Dance forms a very important aspect of life in Bihar. They are not treated as mere modes of entertainment but is intrinsically linked to the various significant activities of their lives. All the dances of Bihar are linked to some ritual or another. Bihar dance also includes a rich tradition of the practice and performance of classical dances. The Rajgir dance festival attests to the wide popularity that classical dances enjoy in Bihar.

The dances of north and south Bihar are distinct in their etymology and nature. Bihar dance forms are typically connected to some social, occupational or family occasion. Jat-Jatin is the most popular folk dance of Bihar. Kajari and Jhumeri are celebrations of certain seasons of the year, while Sohar – Khilouna celebrates the birth. Dance in Bihar also forms an integral part of the various phases of the farming season. The harvest dances are particularly spectacular. Men and women usually perform separately in most of Bihar's dances. Saturi dance of Mithila is the only dance where they participate together. The kathaks or traveling story tellers sometime employs dance as a part of their narration. Natua dance is a very popular folk dance from Bihar.

South Bihar has a wide tribal population. It is in these parts that indigenous forms of Bihar dance have their origins. Dances feature very prominently in the various festivals and celebrations of the tribal people like the Maghi parva and the Karma festival. Chhau and jhumur are two such dance forms prevalent among the tribal populace of south Bihar.

Jata Jatin, Jadur, Chhau, Kathaputli, Karma, Jatra,