Nepali Dance: Classical and folk dances of Nepal


Nepali dances are very important for life, culture, and traditions. It is also the good source of entertainment as well as an effective refresher. The movement of feet and body in the rhythm of song or music in a pleasing way is dance. The complement of dance is song and music. Mainly we can classify Nepali dance into two kinds, ‘classical and folk dances.’

Classical and folk dances of Nepal

Image Credit: Bikash Khadge

1. Classical Dances: This type of dance is based on the ancient classic.
2. Folk Dances: This type of dance is based on flock songs and music.

Just scroll down to for the different type of classical and folk dances that are found in the different areas of Nepal.

Famous classical and folk dances

1. Ghatu Nritya: The dance is popular among the Gurung community. Mainly 10-19 years girl performs the dance with their traditional customs singing the mantras.

2. Deuda Naach: This dance originally belongs to the Midwestern and far western region of Nepal. The dance is performed by forming the circle shoulder to shoulder and by holding hands of adjacent dancers. Nowadays this dance can be found in the other regions of the country too.

3. Chandi Naach: This dance is popular among the Rai community. Mainly at their great festival Undhauli and Unbhauli, they perform the dance.

4. Dandi Naach: The Dandi Naach is also known as Phagu Naach because it is mainly performed in phagu Purnima. It is performed by hitting two sticks between the partners in the pattern. This dance is mainly popular in Terai region of Nepal.

5. Dhan Naach: This dance is the traditional dance of Limbu community performed during the harvest of major crops.

6. Sorathi Nritya: This dance is also prevalent in the Gurung community performed in the circle by playing Madal.

6. Maruni Nritya: The dance is popular in the eastern hills of Nepal. Maruni Nritya is performed by men in the guise of women.

7. Hanuman Nritya: The dance is mainly popular in Baglung, Syangja, and other hilly regions. This dance is performed in disguise of Hanuman who was the devotee of Ram.

8. Devi Nritya: This dance is especially performed in Kathmandu Valley at the Gai Jatra which continue to Indrajatra.

9. Gauna Nritya: The Dance is based in Mithila Tradition and popular in Janakpur region of Nepal. This dance is performed in the religious occasions.

10. Chyabrug Nritya: This the traditional dance of Limbu community performed to the tune of Chyabrug.

11. Hopcha Nritya: This is the traditional classical dance of Rai community mainly found in the Dhankuta region.

12. Kaura Naach: The dance is mainly popular among the Magars of Western region and accompanied by Kaura song.

13. Mundhum Naach: This dance belongs to the Kirat community.At the time of dance the Kirat priest (DOPA)sing the song Mundhum.

14. Khyali Naach: Khyali Naach is also called Pangdure dance mainly perform during festivals and poojas in the musical rhythm of Khainjadi and Mujuras.

15. Chhokara Nritya: The dance is similar to Maruni dance and popular in the Far-western region of Nepal.

16. Panchabuddha Nritya: The dance is based on Buddhist traditional dance by the group of 5 people.

17. Charitra Nritya: The dance is mainly popular in the Terai region. The dance is based on the theme of Puranas.

18. Bhairab Nritya: This is the classical dance mainly popular in Kathmandu and Pokhara. The dancer assumes the guise of the Bhairab in the dance.


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