Recreational Folk Dances
There are countless forms of Recreational Dances prevalent all over India. The performance of these dances while
giving recreational pleasures to the dancers, entertains the onlookers. Under this category of dances are included
those forms of folk dances which have unmistakable elements of theatre. As mentioned earlier, there is a very thin
line between dance and theatre in India. There are several theatre forms in which dance is the most dominant
dramatic expression. As in Kathakali, any form of dance that has expressional passages has theatrical elements.
Many of the dances discussed in this chapter are traditionally performed on a particular occasion or season, but
they are being considered under this category because entertainment is the predominant objective of the
performance. Most of them are associated with festivals and their performance imparts the desired festive
atmosphere to the festivals.
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