Indian Regional Dances include simple and joyous range and they are mainly to mark the celebrations of the seasons of the harvest. The country presents a rich and colourful variety. Each dance in different region has originated according to the popular customs and beliefs of the state. The diversity of religions, customs, tradition and linguistic have given rise to an assortment of regional dance forms. This form of dancing is mainly performed for every occasion, such as birth of a child, a wedding and festivals or the arrival of seasons. The dances have extensive dynamism and vitality and can be identified with the particular region it originates. These dance forms remain exclusive for the region. Furthermore, these regional dances are deep rooted to the age-old tradition and each is shaped by the influences of a particular period and environment. The unparalleled richness of the dance traditions has given rise to distinctive style in each region. Each region offers tribal, folk, village and classical dances forms.

The northern part of the country represents an amalgamation of various cultures and this is reflected in regional dance form in each of the north Indian states. The Rouf dance and the Dumhal of Jammu and Kashmir attract attention as popular regional dances of the region. Other dances include Bachha Nagma Dance, Dandaras Dance These dances of the state have a non detachable part with the culture and tradition of the region. In Himachal Pradesh the well-liked regional dances include Kinnaur Dance,Chamba Dance, Gee Dance, Burah Dance and Hikat. Punjab is famous for Bhangra and Uttranchal has dances like the Langvir Nritya, Dhurang, Pandav Nritya, Chholiya, Hurka Baul and Jharva. Haryana presents a rich and colourful range of regional dances including, Rs leela, Phag dance, Gugga dance, Dhamal, Teej dance, Chaupaiya as well as Khoria Dance.

North east region of India is also the possessor of affluent and multihued regional dancing variety. In addition to that the tribal dancing in India has myriad style in all over the country. At large, classifying regional dances of India on the basis of regional context is widely accepted. An assortment of Indian Regional Dances can be seen in the eight north-Eastern states Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and Tripura. All these states have their own culture and traditions and the dancing styles have developed depending on the ethnicity. The extreme north eastern state of India, Arunachal Pradesh consists of broadly three cultural groups who are divided on the basis of their socio-religious affinities. Their dancing performances are related to rituals, during festivals and also for recreation. The dance forms include highly stylised religious dance dramas of the Buddhists and the martial steps. Their dances are mainly group dances where both men and women take part. Igu dance of the Mishmi priests, war dances of the Adis, Noctes and Wanchos, ritualistic dance of the Buddhist tribes are a few of the examples of regional dances of Arunachal Pradesh. Other dance forms such as Wancho dances, Khampti dances, Digaru Mishmi Buiya Dance and the Ponung Dance performed by the tribes are also popular.

The Assamese culture offers vibrant multiplicity. The state has diverse numbers of tribes each special from one another. Bodo, Kachari, Karbi, Miri, Mishimi, Rabha are the tribes co-exist in Assam. The regional dance forms of Assam thus replicate its different culture and custom. The dance forms are rich and colourful folk dances such as Bihu, classical dance Satriya Nritya, Bhortal Nritya of Barpeta, Bagurumba and the Jhumur Dance of the tribal society. Manipuri regional dances are also a combination of classical forms and the folk dances. The Manipuri folk dances include Pung Cholom, Khamba Thaibi, Raslila, Maibi and the Nupa Dance. Dances of Mizoram and Meghalaya are mostly religious in nature. The prominent folk dances of Mizoram are Cheraw, Khuallam, Sarlamkai and the Nongkrem dance is a regional dance of Meghalaya. The Cultural heritage of Tripura speaks about nineteen different tribal communities, Bengali and Manipuri communities.

The dance forms of each of these communities are famous in the country as well as the whole region. The 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. The regional dances of Manipur are mostly classical based and they are also performed with a religious bent of mind. Thang-ta and the Dhol-Cholom are regional dances of Manipur. Eastern region unfurls another opulent and vivacious culture. West Bengal presents Rava Dance, Brita dance and Chhou dance as regional dances. Orissa also has a rich variety of regional dances. Kathi Nacha (stick dance), Medha Nacha (mask dance), Naga Nacha (Snake dance) and Dalkhai are few of the diversities of Orissa. Chau dance or war dance with firm roots in martial arts is popular in the state. Uttar Pradesh regional dances are classified in to two categories Classical and Folk. Among the Indian Regional Dances, Uttar Pradesh offers Charukala dance. Chau dance is also a regional dance of Bihar. Madhya Pradesh in central India on the other hand has Jawara as its regional dance.

Southern part of India presents enchanting dances and contributes to the opulent variety of Indian Regional Dances. Regional dances include Padayani, Kummi of Tamil Nadu, Thapetta Gullu of Andhra Pradesh and Kolattam as well as Perini. Central India. Rajasthan situated in the western part of the country has regional dances such as Bhavi, Chari, Drum Dance, Fire Dance, Ghoomar, Kacchi Ghodi, Sapera Dance and Terah Talli. Gujarat has a distinction of having legendary origin of their regional dances. Garba, Rasaka, Tippani, Padhar Nritya and Dangi- Nritya are the regional dances of the Gujarat.

Indian Regional Dances are a mixture of expressive movements and steps. The dances burst with verve and vitality. On most of the dancing occasions, the dancers sing themselves, while sometimes they are accompanied by artists on the instruments. Each form of dance has a specific costume. Most costumes are aureate with extensive jewels. Dances become unique with the special costumes and accessories as well as music. Costumes help an audience to interpret the meaning or message of the dance. Furthermore, besides the expressive movements and steps, dances become spectacular with the aesthetic appeal. Most of the Indian regional dances have a particular theme and this is much presented with the expressions of through body movement as well as facial gesture.

Each region of India has its own folk dance. The bamboo dances of Lushais, Khupielilie dance of Nagaland, Santal dance of the Santhals. South India presents tribal dances such as the dummy horse dance or the Poikalkuthirai, In Tamil Nadu; dancers place a karagam or a decorated jug, on their head and dance while balancing the karagam. Both men and women take part in these dances and the rhythm, grace and skill of the dancers make it magnificent. Though, the numerous folk and tribal dances are constantly improved, yet the mastery of the dancers make it popular world wide.