Table of Contents
Introduction
India is known as the land of Unity in Diversity. India’s states are uniquely diverse, differing in languages, attire, festivals, lifestyle, cuisine, culture and atmosphere. There was a chapter on this topic in our social science class when we were in school. But India’s artistic diversity was somewhat neglected in it. So here I bring the list of different art forms from each state of India. This list guide you to explore more about these art forms if you are travelling through different places of India. If you love traveling and checking out new things, especially when you are traveling in India, this list will help you dive into and enjoy some awesome art forms.
Andhra Pradesh:
- Kalamkari, Nirmal And Cherial paintings
- Kondapalli (Wooden toys or dolls), Etikoppaka Bommalu(lacquer-colored toys)
- Bidri (metal work)
- Buta Bommalu (puppet show)
- Dance forms: Kolattam and Tappeta Gullu(folk dances), Veeranatyam, Kuchipudi (classical dance form), Andhra Natyam, Lambadi (tribe dance), Bhamakalpam(dance form originated from Kuchipudi)
- Burra Katha (folk music that combines music, dance and story telling)
- Banjara embroidery
- Eluru carpets
Arunachal Pradesh
- Tangkha paintings
- Bamboo craft
- Woven carpets
- Other arts: Weaving, wood carving, pottery, masks(used by dancers), jewelry
- Folk dance: Buiya, Roppi, Lion, Aji Lamu, Hurkani and many more…
Assam
- Brass and bell metal crafts
- Dance forms: Bihu, Bagurumba, Devadasi nritya
- Other handicrafts & arts: Wood crafts, jwellery, masks, pottery, traditional paintings, textiles
Bihar
- Paintings: Madhubani, Tikuli art, Manjusha art, Patna Kalam, Mithila painting
- Sujani embroidery
- Sikki art
- Khatwa Applique work(sewing art)
- Yampuri Puppetry
- Zari works (art of weaving metallic threads into fabric)
- Other handicrafts & arts: Textile printing, bangle making, stone crafts, wood carvings, bihari earthen and bamboo crafts.
Chhattisgarh
- Painting: Godna, Pithora(wall painting),
- Hand woven Bastar cosa saree
- Bamboo craft, Terracotta(pottery), folk jewelry, Tumba craft
- Pandwani gayan(singing & storytelling), panthi nritya
Goa
- Handicrafts
- Paintings: warli art, kaavi art, kalamkari painting, azulejos painting
- Other art: Bamboo craft, sea shell craft, jute craft(bag, belt, flower pots and wall hangings)
- Rock art, coconut mask carving
- Apart from this Goa has many art galleries and museums
Gujarat
- Kutch and Rabari Embroidery
- Patola(woven saree)
- Bandhani/ Bandhej
- Bhavai(A folk theater form that combines dance, music and emotion-filled drama)
- Garba(folk dance)
- Zari work of Surat
- Rogan painting, Pithora painting
- Other arts & Handicrafts: Pottery, hand block printing, wood work, clay craft, mud work
Haryana
- Crafts: Phulkari shawl, bagh art, weaving, pottery, embroidery, murals
- Durries(rugs with different geometric patterns)
Himachal Pradesh
- Kullu shawls & pashmina shawls
- Cholamba dance
- Buddhist sculpture, hill temple architecture
- Thangka & kangra paintings
- Cholamba dance
- Chamba rumaal, Pahadi jewelry, wood carving, carpet, metal craft
- Himachali dolls and caps
Jammu & Kashmir
- Paper machee(molding raw paper into decorative objects)
- Pashmina shawl, kashmir shawl
- Walnut wood carving, copper & silver ware
- Dhumhal dance
Jharkhand
- Sohrai(wall art made from the mixture of cow dung and mud)
- Paintings: Madhubani, Paitkar, Jadu patua(ancient variation of the Paitkar scroll painting), Kohvar
- Dhokra(metal sculpture)
- Kurmi(wall painting)
- Jhumair(folk dance)
Karnataka
- Dance also known as kunitha in Kannada language: Yakshagana, Goravarakunita, Somana kunita, Suggi kunitha,, Dollu kunita(tribal dance), Ummathat, Puja kunitha, Pilivesha, Jagghalige kunita
- Mysore paintings
- Music: Gamaka, Kalgi tura, Carnatic music
- Krishna Parijatha(folk theater form)
- Togalubombeaata(puppet show)
- Chowdike Mela, Channapatna toys
- Wood and Ivory carving, banjara handicrafts
Kerala
Various dances and dramas are the most common and popular art forms in Kerala.
- Dance: Kathakali(classical dance), Chakyarkoothu, Theyyam, Mohiniyattam(classical dance)
- Koodiyattam(combination of dance and acting recognized by UNESCO as the Masterpiece of Intangible and Oral Heritage of Humanity)
- Kutiyattam(classical theater form)
- Kalaripayattu(martial art)
Madhya Pradesh
- Gond art
- Bagh & Bhil paintings
- Batto Bai dolls
- Zari zardoshi
- Chanderi sarees
- Durries
- Other art: Bamboo work, folk paintings, metal crafts, ornaments, stone carvings, carpets, mandanas, Batik(block printing), handicrafts, Iron crafts, jute, textile, woodcraft
Maharashtra
- Warli painting
- Kolhapuri chappals
- Paithani saree, Narayan Peth Saree
- Dhurrie weaving
- Lavani dance
- Handicrafts: Kolhapur jewellery, wooden toys, Bidriware, banjara embroidery
Manipur
- Dance: Manipuri dance, Maibi dance, Lai Haraoba, Luivat Pheizak, Nupa pala
- Manipur weaving, textile weaving
- Thang-ta(martial art)
- Meibul Haiba(fire dance art form)
- Wood carving, block printing, black pottery
- Kauna crafts(water reed)
Meghalaya
- Textile and carpet weaving
- Ornaments making
- Wood carving
- Pottery
- Bamboo craft
Mizoram
- Bamboo and cane Handicrafts, baskets, utensils, flower vases
- Dance: cheraw, chheih lam, khual lam, par lam, rallu lam, sar lam kai, solakia
Nagaland
- Shawl and textile weaving
- Wood carving
- Cane and bamboo work: baskets, hats, necklaces
- Pottery
- Folk dance and music
Odisha
- Silver filigree/ Tarakasi: silver work
- Brass and bell metal work
- Pattachitra
- Dance: Odissi, Bagh nacha and various folk dances
- Papier mache masks
- Ikkat sarees, Dhokra, stone work
- Kalinga Architectural style
Punjab
- Phulkari work on dresses
- Juttis
- Bhangra(folk dance)
- Handicrafts: Basketry, Folk toys, dolls, Peedhies(seating stools)
- Paranda(hair accessory)
- Pottery, weaving, wood work
Rajasthan
- Paintings: Miniature painting, Gemstone, Phad, Kishangarh painting, Pichwai art, Bani Thani and Kajali paintings, Mandana(wall and floor paintings)
- Ghoomar(folk dance)
- Rajasthani embroidery and handicrafts
- Bandhani
- Kathputali(Rajasthani puppets)
- Jadau jewellery
- Bikaner Pottery, leather work, wood work and metal crafts
Sikkim
- Tangka paintings
- Choktse tables
- Kagyed dance
- Carpet weaving, wood carving, handicrafts
Tamil Nadu
- Dance: Bharatnatyam(classical dance form), Karagattam, Kolattam,
- Tanjore paintings
- Kanjivaram silk sarees
Tripura
- Folk dances: Hozagiri, Bizhu, Jhum
- Handicrafts like embroidery, clay modeling, jewellery making
Telangana
- Paintings: Cherial scroll painting, Nirmal painting
- Bidri metalwork, Banjara needlework, Dokra metal crafts
- Dance: Dhimsa, Perini, Sivatandavam
- Golla Suddulu (storytelling)
Uttar Pradesh
- Kathak(classical dance)
- Mughal, Bundela, Mirzapur paintings
- Chikankari, Varanasi brocade saree/ Kinkab, Zari embroidery
- Glassware: Ferozabad, Varanasi and Saharanpur are famous for its small glass work industry which includes glass bangles and beads making
- Stonecraft, Metalware, perfume making, block printing
- Bone carving
- Bhadohi(carpets)
- Nizamabad black pottery
Uttarakhand
- Aipan(Rangoli)
- Pahari paintings
- Temple architecture
- Chanchi & Jodha(folk dances), Pandav nritya(dance form), Chhura(folk song)
- Dekara(clay work)
West Bengal
- Paintings: Patachitra, Kalighat and Batik paintings
- Kantha(textile work)
- Brita dance, Purulia Chhau(mask/dance), Baul dance
- Zari, Kashida, Jamdani and Baluchari sarees
- Othar arts: Terracotta, Dokra(A tribal art form), bamboo craft, Conchshell craft, Sholapith, Jute crafts
Conclusion
This is not a final list. I may have missed out many art forms. In upcoming blogs, you will learn in detail about the beautiful art forms from different states that I mentioned in the list above.
Read my previous blog: https://essencenart.online/dance-the-form-of-expression/
