Folk Dances and Songs of Uttar PradeshFolk Dances and Songs of Uttar Pradesh

The Braj and western regions feature vibrant performance arts rooted in mythological narratives and seasonal changes.

• Rasleela Dance: Associated deeply with Mathura and Vrindavan, depicting the divine plays (Leelas) of Lord Krishna and Radha.
• Charkula Dance: Performed in the Braj region where women balance a large multi-tiered circular wooden pyramid holding 108 lighted oil lamps on their heads.
• Mayur Dance: Also known as Peacock Dance, performed in Braj wearing special peacock-feathered dresses during spring and Janmashtami.
• Khayal Dance: Performed in the Bundelkhand region during the birth of a child, where women balance colorful bamboo structures representing temples on their heads.

Bundelkhand boasts martial and harvest-centric folk dances reflecting its rugged terrain and martial history.

• Diwari / Dwari Dance: Performed by Ahir community during Deepawali, involving vigorous stick-fighting and acrobatics to rhythmic drum beats.
• Rai Dance: Beli dance of Bundelkhand performed by women carrying earthen pots or lamps on their heads, resembling the movement of a dancing peacock.
• Kartal Dance: Performed by cultivators during the wheat harvesting season using wooden clappers (Kartal) with high energetic movements.
• Baraiya Dance: Performed on auspicious occasions like marriage ceremonies, symbolizing joy and prosperity in the Bundelkhand region.

Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Purvanchal) is rich in ritualistic, satirical, and agricultural folk art traditions.

• Katgodi Dance: A dancer wears a dummy horse around the waist and performs mock battles accompanied by Dhol and Shehnai.
• Chhau / Natwari Dance: Natwari is an acrobatic dance of the Ahir community involving fast footwork on bamboo cylinders or earthen pots.
• Charkha / Kaharwa Dance: Performed primarily by the Kahar community during marriage and festive occasions.
• Dadra and Kajri Songs: Kajri is famous from Mirzapur/Varanasi sung during monsoon, while Dadra is a semi-classical light vocal genre.

Folk songs capture the emotional landscape, agricultural cycles, and social milestones of rural communities in UP.

• Birha: One of the most popular folk song genres of Purvanchal (especially Azamgarh, Ghazipur), depicting pain of separation and social commentary.
• Alha: Heroic ballad from Bundelkhand detailing the 52 battles fought by legendary warriors Alha and Udal against Prithviraj Chauhan.
• Chaiti: Seasonal folk songs sung in the Hindu month of Chait (March-April), especially prominent in Varanasi, Gorakhpur, and Mathura.
• Sohhar: Traditional folk songs sung across UP to celebrate the birth of a male child, performed by women during naming ceremonies.