Folk dances tell stories of the culture and history of a region and so do the expressive folk dances of Karnataka. The state has a high tribal population and boasts a rich and varied folk culture, and a fascinating folklore (Janapada). Music and dance are a vibrant element of the state’s cultural ethos. The dances of Karnataka like the legendary Yakshagana are well known, while many others remain in the shadow. It takes a sandalwood blockbuster like Kantara, to bring Bhutha Kola into the international limelight. Here we look at the top folk dances of Karnataka, as well as some of the lesser-known Karnataka traditional dances.
Table of Contents
Fascinating Folk Dances of Karnataka
The Folk dances of Karnataka, like all folk dances, or for that matter all forms of dance, are an expression of different emotions or to be more precise, a beautiful embodiment of the Nava Rasas. Since ancient times, Man has given vent to his feelings through dance. It has been a medium that conveys inner feelings through subtle expressions and moves to the accompaniment of music. Though it is not known how and when dance originated, the rock paintings of Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh, which go back 10,000 years, proved that dance existed even then. The repertoire of Karnataka Dance ranges from dances that celebrate the harvest, to dances that are performed as obeisance to deities.
Top 11 Famous Folk Dances Of Karnataka
We take a look at the rich tapestry of the folk dances of Karnataka, that vibrantly bring to life, the feelings of its people. Many of these dances may disappear soon, and we have to do what we can to ensure that these dances, which are a part of our intangible heritage survive.
Yakshagana – Folk Dances of Karnataka
Yakshagana is one of the better-known folk dances of Karnataka. Yakeshagana is a highly evolved dance form that combines elements of dance, drama, and music to present a story to the audience. This dance form has its origins in Coastal Karnataka, more specifically in the region of South Canara District and Kasargod in Kerala. Yakshagana brings alive in dramatic fashion, incidents from the Hindu epics, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, as well as other Puranas. The most striking aspect of Yakshagana is the spectacular costumes of the dancers and accompanying music and narration.
Dollu Kunitha – Folk Dances of Karnataka
A vibrant and dramatic folk dance, Dollu Kunitha, is performed by the Kuruba community. The dance is performed as a worship of Lord Beereshwara, a form of Lord Shiva, who is a deity of the Kuruba community. The main feature of the dance is the “Dollu,” or drum. The energetic dance moves are accompanied by the thunderous beats of the drums. The dance is performed by a group of 10-12 dancers with one of them taking the lead.
Suggi Kunitha – Folk Dance of Karnataka
Suggi Kunitha is a harvest dance that is traditionally performed by the Halakki Vokkaliga community of Karnataka and hence is also known as Halakki Suggi Kunitha. The word Suggi, itself means harvest in the local language. A distinctive feature of this Suggi Kunitha is the colourful headgear that is worn by the dancers. The crown is called Tura and it is made of softwood and symbolically represents birds, flowers, and other elements of nature.
Veeragase – Famous Dance of Karnataka
Veeragase which is also known as Veerabhadra Kunitha is a ceremonial folk dance of Karnataka. Veeragase is performed by the priests or monks of the Veerashaive sect of Karnataka. They are known as Jangamas and they are the only authorized people who can perform this religious dance. The dance is an obeisance to Veerabhadra, a fierce form of Shiva. The dancers are dressed in red with white headgear. They are adorned with Rudraksha necklace and smeared with Vibhuti. They hold a sword in one hand and a wooden plaque of Veerabhadra in the other. The dance is performed with a singer narrating the story of Shiva and the Daksha Yagna in the background.
Kamsale – Famous Dance of Karnataka
Kamsale Kunitha is a religious folk dance of Karnataka. It is performed by the followers of Mahadeshwara, who was a Sidda saint of the 15th century. The dance gets its name from the musical instrument that is used during the dance, “Kamsale.” This instrument made from brass comes in pairs with dancers holding one in each hand. The Kamsale Dance is performed by the Kuruba community as a religious offering to Lord Mahadeshwara and is performed to the accompaniment of devotional songs to Lord Mahadeshwara.
Pata Kunitha – Famous Dance in Karnataka
Pata Kunitha is a dance in which a bamboo pole measuring 10-12 feet is used as a prop. This pole is known as, “Pata,” and hence the name Pata Kunitha. The pole is colourfully decorated with multi-coloured ribbons. The dancers perform with high energy while balancing the tall bamboo poles. This dance is specific to the Mysore region of Karnataka.
Somana Kunitha – Karnataka Folk Dance
Somana Kunitha is a traditional dance that used to be performed as part of ritualistic worship in temples during festivals. This dance is part of the religious rituals in the worship of local village deities and has existed since ancient times. The most striking aspect of Somana Kunitha is the huge masks that the dancers wear during their performances. Somana Kunitha is prevalent in parts of Southern Karnataka including Mysore, Hassan, and Mandya.
Puja Kunitha – Folk Dances of Karnataka
Puja Kunitha or Pooja Kunitha as the name suggests is a dance that is part of the ritualistic worship of the Mother Goddess or Shakti. The Divine Mother or Devi is propitiated through this dance which is an essential element of the Shakti cult in Karnataka. The dancer carries an idol of the deity on his head and sways to accompanying musing during the performance of Puja Kunitha.
Bhutha Kola – Folk Dances of Karnataka
Bhutha Kola is also known as Bhootha Aradhane. It has fired the imagination of millions through the film Kantara. This little-known dance was pushed to the limelight by this film. Bhootha Kola is also known as Daiva Kola and is predominantly practised in the Tulunadu region of coastal Karnataka. The dance is part of the ritualistic worship of local village deities and spirits like, Panjurli, Koragajja, Bobbarya, Guliga, and others. It is interesting to note that Yakshagana has been influenced by this dance to a certain extent. One of the most fascinating aspects of this dance is that in the course of the dance, the dancer becomes a “medium,” and utters commandments from the deity.
Huli Vesha – Karnataka Folk Dance
Huli Vesha is a folk dance of coastal Karnataka and is performed by youth traditionally during the Navratri and Dassara festivals in Udupi, Mangalore, and other places. Huli Vesha or Pili Vesha is a dance in which the youth dress up as tigers and indulge in acrobatic dance moves. The dance is performed as a worship to the Goddess Durga.
Ummatt-aat – Folk Dance of Karnataka
Ummat-aat is a folk dance of the Kodagu or Coorg region of Karnataka. It is a dance performed by women as a tribute to the Kaveri River which is personified as Kaveri Taayi or Mother Kaveri. Women dressed in traditional Kodava attire dance in a circle. In the centre stands a woman holding a pot of water that symbolizes Mother Kaveri.
Other Folk Dances of Karnataka
Though the dances described above are the ones that are more popular and well-known, many other folk dances across Karnataka are unique and have their distinct charm. Here is a list of folk dances of Karnataka that are lesser-known:
- Bolak-aat is a dance performed by Kodava men
- Komb-aat is a religious dance performed by Kodava men in temples
- Goravara Kunitha is a ritualistic worship dance of Shiva performed by the Gorava community
- Jaggahalige Kunita is a dance that is performed during festivals like Ugadi and Holi in the Hubli-Dharwad region of Karnataka
- Lavani is a dance form which is associated with Maharashtra but is also popular in parts of Karnataka
- Kangili Kunitha is a dance of the Mundala community who live in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts of Karnataka
- Aati Kalenja is a folk dance performed by the Nalike community in Tulunadu during the month of Aati or Aashadha
- Joodu Haligi is a dance performed by two or three dancers playing percussion instruments
- Nagamandala is a ritual dance performed throughout the night to exorcise the serpent spirit and is traditionally performed between December and April
- Gaarudi Gombe is a folk dance of Karnataka in which the dancers dress in costumes made of bamboo, the dance is traditionally a part of the Mysore Dassara procession
Folk Dances Of Karnataka With Pictures
Watch the vibrant folk dances of Karnataka come alive in these images.
Folk Dances of Karnataka – FAQ
Explore the vibrant and diverse folk dances of Karnataka through this FAQ, where we answer your most common questions about the history, styles, and cultural significance of these captivating traditional performances.
What is the main folk dance of Karnataka?
By far the most popular and prevalent folk dance of Karnataka is Yakshagana.
What is the folk dance-drama of Karnataka?
Yakshagana is the folk-dance drama of Karnataka which recreates incidents from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata in a dramatic fashion.
Is Bharatanatyam a folk dance of Karnataka?
Bharat Natyam is a dance form with origins in the state of Tamil Nadu and not Karnataka.
Which state dance is Yakshagana?
Yakshagana is a dance from the state of Karnataka.
What is the traditional dance of Mangalore?
Yakshagana is the traditional dance associated with Mangalore and other regions of Coastal Karnataka.
What is the dance of Udupi?
There are many dances associated with Udupi and these include Yakshagana, Hulivesha, and Kangili Kunitha.
What is Kodagu dance?
The folk dances of Karnataka associated with Kodagu are Ummat-aat, Bolak-aat, and Komb-aat.
What is the folk dance of North Karnataka?
Jaggahalige Kunita is one of the folk dances associated with the North Karnataka region.
What is the folk dance of Mandya district?
Puja Kunitha is one of the dance forms associated with the Mandya District of Karnataka.
What is the Colourful folk dance of Karnataka?
All the folk dances of Karnataka are colourful and vibrant, and these include Yakshagana, Dollu Kunitha, Suggi Kunitha, and others.
We hope that this post about the folk dances of Karnataka provides you with a glimpse of the rich heritage of folklore arts and culture of Karnataka. If you are interested to know more about Karnataka’s folklore, we suggest you pay a visit to the Janapada Loka, in Ramanagara, just 53 kilometres from Bangalore. You can also read our blog post about Janapadal Loka before you plan your visit. However, do not forget to subscribe to our blog and newsletter to stay updated with our content. Connect with us on our social media handles for more travel stories from us.
Ready to ignite your wanderlust? Subscribe to our blog and newsletter, and let the world of travel come to you — packed with fresh tips, inspiring stories, and all the motivation you need to set off on your next adventure. Need more travel fuel? Dive into Travel With Sandy & Vyjay on YouTube, where we take you on vivid journeys through India’s awe-inspiring landscapes, vibrant cultures, mouthwatering cuisine, and timeless traditions. Our videos are your passport to unforgettable experiences and spark the wanderer in you!
Join the conversation and stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube. Whether you’re looking to share your own travel dreams, discover new destinations, or just get inspired, our social channels are the perfect places to connect and explore. Do not miss a beat — sign up for our monthly Voyager Travel Bytes newsletter and get it delivered straight to your inbox or WhatsApp. Plus, follow our daily escapades on Instagram for that extra dose of travel magic.
We cannot wait to take this journey with you! Ready to travel? Let us make it happen together.
We are a reader-supported site. This means, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission if you book a flight or hotel, or make a purchase through one of our affiliate links. Thank you for your support!
Flights – Cleartrip or Makemytrip or IndiGo or Cheapair or Priceline
Tours – Click to book top tours around the world. Book tours and activities here.
Experiences – Book your next unforgettable experience here, with flexible bookings and free cancellations. Reserve tours and activities now and pay later.
Hotels – Click to book the best hotels/resorts. Choose the best stay options with TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or makemytrip or goibibo or Booking.com or HotelsCombined or Agoda
Travel Insurance – Click to book Travel Insurance that covers a range of travel insurance and safety services including medical emergencies, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more
Visas and Travel Documents Application – Click here for Online Travel Visa Check
Online Passport Photo – Get Your Passport Photo Online here
Do You Love Traveling?
Do you want to know how to travel the world? We have put together a very useful travel resources page with the best travel tips. Go check it out now. Thanks for visiting our site Voyager - imvoyager.com and taking the time to read this post! If you wish to collaborate/work with us then reach us at [email protected] We’d love it if you’d comment by sharing your thoughts on this post and share this post on social media and with your friends. Follow our journey on our social media channels: Facebook X Instagram Pinterest YouTube
Start dreaming about your next adventure with Tripadvisor. Book your next unforgettable experience here with flexible bookings and free cancellations.
60+ Million Users Trust TripAdvisor With Their Travel Plans. Shouldn't You?
Sandy & Vyjay are a husband and wife duo who are travel content creators. They are co-founders of this travel website and are one of the leading travel content creators in India.
Sandy & Vyjay quit their successful corporate careers to pursue their passion for travel and writing full-time. Their dedication has earned them the “Best Travel Writer” award and numerous accolades on both national and international stages. Focusing on India’s destinations, heritage, and culture, they are passionate advocates for nature and the environment. Through their content, they promote ecotourism and sustainable travel, inspiring others to explore and preserve the beauty of India.
