Cultural Heritage of Jharkhand.

Folk Dances of Jharkhand.

• The folk dance portrays the tribal community and their stories act as a popular theme for dance.
• The tribe which is popular for folk dance in Jharkhand is ' Kunjbans'.
• Kunjbans tribe is main performers of folk dance they have performed in Europe, US and Asian countries.
• ICCR stands for Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
• This dance is accompanied by traditional music and some traditional equipment.

Karma Dance.

• Karma dance is a folk dance performed in 4 state of India are Bihar, Madhya Pradesh ,Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
• This dance is performed in the month of August during Karma festival.
• This dance has derived its name from the tree named Karma.
• This dance start after the plantation of trees during Karma festival.

Hunta Dance.

• Hunting dance of Santhals of Jharkhand is known as Hunta dance.
• This is a powerful dance and requires alot of strength and vigour.
• This dance is performed by only men.
• This dance depicts the act of preparing for the hunt with bows and arrows.

Paika Dance.

• Paika Dance form is one of the famous dance form of Jharkhand.
• This dance is performed by Munda Community of Jharkhand.
• This dance represent rituals connected with the preparation of war .
• This dance is performed by only men.
• The Dussehra celebration remain incomplete without this dance.
• This dance is performed with melodious music of Narsingha , Shahrai, Ranbheri, Dhol, and Nagara drums.
• This dance symbolises great war against British.

Santhali Dance.

• Santhali Dance is a very popular folk dance of Jharkhand.
• This dance is performed by santhal tribe of Jharkhand..
• This dance is performed by both men and women.
• Santhals are close to nature so they use natural decors like flowers ,branches and leaves to do their make up and design their clothes.
• Santhali Dance is performed in a group.
• Santhali Dance is similar to bamboo folk dance of Assam and Mizoram.
• This dance is performed in a circle where male and female dancers dance in a separate row.
• This dance is accompanied by traditional equipment like flutes ,drums, pipes ,and cymbals.
• This dance is performed especially during spring festival accompanied by traditional song.
• This dance is performed within forest areas and depicts dedication to forest God and Goddess.
• It is also performed to welcome guests.

Phagua Dance.

• Phagua Dance is also performed by tribal people.
• The performer throw colours and water and celebrate the dance movement with music and rhythm.
• ' Phag ' a folk song is sung during the dance.

Mundari Dance.

• Mundari Dance is very common and popular dance of Mundaris.
• In this dance all members of the community can participate.
• This dance is generally performed to celebrate newly weds.
• Munda song is often mixed with songs in other tribal languages.
• The dance style has very few steps.

Barao Dance.

• Barao Dance is performed by the Oraon community of Jharkhand.
• Both men and women participate in this dance.
• Oraon community of Jharkhand has their own folk dance , folk song , folk tales  and some traditional musical instruments.
• This dance is performed during the month of April - May ( Baisakh ).
• They organise a 'Jatra'( folk theater ) .
• This dance is performed to offer prayers to Mother Earth for a plentiful monsoon to follow good harvest season.

Chhau Dance.

• Chhau Dance is performed not only in Jharkhand but also in Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
• It does not have history regarding its performance.
• This dance is performed in open space or ground field during night.
• The dance area is surrounded by fire poles or mashals. 
• The characters performed in the dance are of Gods therefore dancers take bath and worship to maintain the sacredness of dance.
• This dance is a mask dance.
• This dance is considered as tribal form of ' Nritya Natika '.

TRIBAL DANCES.-:

Jitiya Karam.

• Karam is the Oraon name for the Kadamba tree as a deity.
• High pitched sounds and the rhythm of the dances touch the hearts of the people of Jharkhand.
• This dance is performed to celebrate their deep and life long attachment to the forest. 

Janana Jhumur

• The Santhal and Nagpuri communities perform the Jhumur songs and dances of Jharkhand.
• Traditional dance of the women of Jharkhand.
• Performed mainly in rainy season.
• There is no fixed season for this dance it is performed throughout the year.

Mardana Jhumar

• This dance is performed by men of Nagpuri Community after the harvest.
• This dance is also a semi - martial art form.
• Occasionally one or two female dancers known as Nachnis join them.

Jhitka and Danga

• Both men and women perform this dance. 
•  This dances celebrate different feudal traditions.
• The costume and headgear worn by the dancers.

Lahasuya 

• The Lahasuya songs and dances accompanied by Madol, call for rain. 

• Both men and women perform this dance. 

Domkach

• Folk dance of Chhotanagpur area of Jharkhand.
• Women of bridegroom family perform this after baraat has left.
• Through this dance they keep themselves awake and entertained.

Seraikella Chhau

• It is one of the 3 Chhau dance form prevailing in Eastern India.
• The nature and themes is similar to those of classical dance form.

Other Important Dance Forms and Folk of Jharkhand

• Ghora March - performed during wedding ceremonies.
•  Dhubia - performed by Dhobi society on marriage and birth.
• Jadur - performed slowly by both men and women.
• Japi - Begins after Sarhul festival.
• Jatra - performed by both men and women.
• Jharni - performed by Muslim Community on Muharram.
• Jat Jatin - performed during Sawaan and it expressess married life.
• Agni - performed during Religious ceremonies.
• Magha - performed by HO community.
• Kirtania - expressess life events of Lord Krishna.
• Sama Chakewa - related with the relationship of brother and sister.
• Birosia - performed through expression and singing of song.
• Bhakuli Banka - performed during Sawaan and shows married life of a couple.