Folk dancing can be defined as a style of dancing that originated among the ordinary people before 19th century; their performance is dominated by an inherited tradition rather than by innovation in techniques. Folk dance was evolved in a developed and civilized society by some more advanced class or groups of men. It was based on their belief system, ways of thinking attitudes, and customs, rituals and prejudices and their spontaneous reactions to the sights and sounds of the natural environment.

Folk dance is a primitive, tribal, or ethnic form of the dance, sometimes important for the survival of some ancient ceremony or festival. They are mostly group dances, which contain pure classical flavours. Hence, generally, folk dancing is viewed as more of a social concern activity rather than a competitive one. On most of the occasions, the dancers sing while being accompanied by artists on musical instruments. Each form of dance has a specific costume with special ornaments to add grace in its look. Depending upon customs, every village has its own folk dances performed on specific occasions such as the birth of a child, to celebrate the arrival of new seasons, weddings and festivals. Tribal people are very fond of ornaments. So the tribal of a particular area inherently use various types of ornaments, like the ornaments made of bead, precious stones metals like gold and silver. With colourful & specific costumes of dance such ornaments are also a part of identity of Folk dance.In many cultures, the term ethnic dance or traditional dance is used to indicate folk dances.

Folk dances can be categorized into two categories: folk and tribal, where there are cultural differences between the two; the folk dances are the rural extensions of the larger Indian population, e.g.: Bhangra of Punjab, Garba of Gujarat. However, the tribal dances are dances by adivasis, which have a very different culture from the larger Indian population. Indian folk and tribal dances are product of different socio-economic set up and traditions of that particular region. The skill and style, steps of the dances influence the final performance of the dance in each case.

Origin of Indian Folk Dances
Folk dances are more famous than classical forms of dances in India as they are easier to understand and perform. In the primitive, undeveloped society, dance was born for satisfying the needs of the early man, but with the progress of civilization, all art forms assumed some distinctive characteristics.

Indian Folk Dance Equipments
Equipments or means are an important part of Folk dances and they are the means, with the help of which the dances are performed and they give a separate identity to the folk dance. Many times, folk dances are termed as per the name of the equipment used. E.g. Kaavadi is used in one of the performance of a dance in Kerala, from it the dance is known as Kaavdiattom.

At large, classifying Folk dances of India on the basis of geographical context is widely accepted. On this basis Indian Folk Dances can fall in the categories of the state folk dances. Let us understand these folk dances in detail.

Folk Dances of Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh is one of the Indian states, rich in its folk culture. Its folk culture comprises of the various dances like the Bhamakalapam & Gollkalapam, Bathakamma, Gobbi Dance, Burra Katha, Dhamal Dance, Mathuri Dance & the Dandaria Dance.

Folk Dances of Arunachal Pradesh: The folk forms of Arunachal Pradesh include the Wancho dances, Khampti dances, Digaru Mishmi Buiya Dance and the Ponung Dance performed by the tribes

Folk Dances of Assam: Every element of the Assamese culture, be it the language, traditional crafts, performing arts, festivity and beliefs, there are many other local elements which are always present in a Hinduised / Sanskritised form. Thus, such a culture has given rise to several local traditional art forms, like the Bihu Dance and the Ankiya Nat, which are famous in Assam.

Folk Dances of Bihar: The folk dance tradition in Bihar has three distinct streams. The folk forms of this state include the Bidesia, Jat-Jatin, Kajari, Jumari, Jhijhian, Sohar Khilouna, Paika and the Harvesting Dance.

Folk Dances of Chhattisgarh: Each of the communities in Chhattisgarh has its own rich and distinctive history and culture of music, dance, dress and food. The Saila Dance is one of those many dances in this state, which is famous for its uniqueness.

Folk Dances of Gujarat: Gujarat is identified by its preserved rich tradition of songs, dances and dramas. The Gujaratis have a natural talent for singing and dancing. The best known among these is the Dandia, Tippani Dance and Garba Ras. Even the folk drama in Gujarat is known as Bhavai.

Folk Dances of Goa: The Goan folk dances bear a tradition of thousands of years, characterized by innumerable forms performed by and reflecting lifestyles, cultures and aspirations of different strata, religions and castes of Goan society. The prominent ones include the Dashavatara, Ghode Modni and the Goff Dance.

Folk Dances of Haryana: Though small in area, the Haryana state has a wealth of preserved folk culture, in which dances are main point of attention. Many Haryana songs and dances are related to harvest and festivals. A The prominent folk dances include the Saang, Chhathi, Khoria, Dhamal, Ghoomar, Raslila, Jhumar, Gugga and the Loor Dance.

Folk Dances of Himachal Pradesh: The love, joys, sorrows and hopes of the people are reflected in folk art form of Himachal Pradesh through traditional symbolic patterns. In most of the dances, men and women perform the dance in coordination in a close formation and these theatrical performances are Namagen and Losar Shona Chuksam Dance.
Folk Dances of Karnataka: Karnataka is one of the four southern states of India, whose legacy of folk dances dates right from ancient history till date. Some of the prominent folk dances of Karnataka are the Yakshgana and the Dollu Kunitha dances.

Folk Dances of Kashmir:Kashmir has its own share of festivities and glamour, when it comes to practising the folk dances. The folk dances of Kashmir encompass the entire population, as though it is a festival in itself. Some of the unique festivals of Kashmir are Bhand Jashna, Dumhal and the Kud Dance.

Folk Dances of Kerala: The regional diversities have given rise to many folk forms of arts in Kerala. Out of these the most famous ones are the Theyyam and the Sangha Kali, which are the dances performed as an offering to Goddess Kali amongst the many other dances.

Folk Dances of Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh has heritage of the famous folk dances like the Gaur Maria dance and the Maanch. The Maanch is a lyrical folk drama and a form of operatic ballet famous in Madhya Pradesh.

Folk Dances of Maharashtra: Various folk dances in Maharashtra have generally been evolved from the rural areas. Maharashtra has been famous for its vibrant music and the folk forms like Koli dances, and Dindi . The Tamasha is also a part of the Maharashtra folk dance, and it includes the traditional lavani and dance along with the music.

Folk Dances of Manipur: Manipuri dances, whether the classical ones or the folk dances, are all devotional in nature. The Manipuri folk dances include Pung Cholom, Khamba Thaibi, Raslila, Maibi and the Nupa Dance.

Folk Dances of Mizoram & Meghalaya: Most of the dances of Mizoram & Meghalaya are performed during the time of festivals. Some of the prominent folk dances are Cheraw, Khuallam dance in Mizoram, whereas the Nongkrem dance in Meghalaya.

Folk Dances of Orissa: Orissa has given rise to different folk dances, among which, the famous ones are the Pala and the Daskathia among the others. The Danda Nata is also a dance, performed during a festival to show an honor of a caste deity, the Vasuli Devi.

Folk Dances of Punjab: The folk dances of Punjab can be simply classified according to male or female folk dances, where the Jhummer, Luddi, Julli, Dankara and Dhumal are male folk dances while Sammi, Giddha, Jaago & Kikli are the female folk dances. Apart from the above ones, the Bhangra dance is the most important dance, which is actually the trademark of the Punjabi culture.

Folk Dances of Rajasthan: Rajasthan has been a haven of various folk art forms. The various famous folk dances of Rajasthan are Gowari, Ghoomer, Terahtali, Chari, Kathputli, Kachhi Ghodi, Gair Dance, Fire, Drum and the Harvesting dance.

Folk Dances of Tamil Nadu:The more celebrated forms of village folk dances in Tamil Nadu are Karagam, Kolaattam, Kavadi Aattam, Bhagavatha Mela, Kuravanji, Nondi Natakam, Pavai Koothu, Kai Silambu Aattam and the Bommalattam dance.

Folk Dances of Tripura: Tripura has rich cultural heritage of 19 different tribal communities, Bengali and Manipuri communities. Each community has its own dance forms, which are famous in the country. Out of all the dances, the folk dances are: Hozagiri dance of Reang community, Garia, Jhum and Lebang Boomani dances of Tripuri community; the Cheraw and Welcome dance of Lusai community; Hai-Hak dance of Malsum community; Wangala dance of the Garo Community.

Folk Dances of Uttar Pradesh: The rich heritage of Uttar Pradesh includes many folk dances .These are Ramlila, Nautanki, Naqaal, Swang, and the Charkula Dance. Even the Raslila, which is one of the rare dance forms dedicated to Lord Krishna, also marks its presence in this state.

Folk Dances of Uttaranchal: Tribal communities in Uttaranchal perform many seasonal dances, of which, the Hurka Baul dance is the most prominent one.

Folk Dances of West Bengal: The most prominent Dances included here are Brita, Gambhira, Tusu, Santhal and the Lathi Dance. The Chhau dance is the most prominent dance of West Bengal, whereas, the Jatra is also another form of folk drama, which includes acting, songs, music and dance by travelling troops.