Folk Dances of Jammu
Rich Cultural Expressions of the Dogra Region
By Home Academy
Jammu, the winter capital of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, is known for its vibrant Dogra culture. The folk dances of Jammu reflect the emotions, beliefs, festivals, and agrarian life of its people. These dances are closely associated with weddings, seasonal festivals, religious rituals, and thanksgiving ceremonies.
Below is a detailed account of the important folk dances of Jammu, written from an exam perspective.
1. Jagrana Dance
Context: Wedding ceremony
Region: Jammu (Dogra community)
Jagrana is a popular women-centric folk dance of Jammu, performed during wedding ceremonies. It is performed one day before the groom leaves for his in-laws’ house.
The dance is performed exclusively by women
Accompanied by traditional Jagrana songsA group of 15–20 women sing and dance together
Through songs and dance, women express joy, emotions, blessings, and sentiments
The performance is dedicated especially to the bride
👉 Exam Point:
Jagrana is a traditional wedding dance of Jammu performed by women to express emotions for the bride.
2. Kud Dance
Context: Religious thanksgiving ritual
Region: Mountainous areas around Jammu
Season: Rainy season
Kud is one of the most famous and energetic folk dances of Jammu. It is performed as a thanksgiving ritual to honor the local deities known as Lok Devtas or Gramdevtas.
Key Features:
Performed at night, often continuing till late hours
Both young and old people participate equallyMovements are twisted, spontaneous, and rhythm-based
Dancers plan movements according to beats and tempo
Performed by 20–30 dancers, mostly farmers
Musical Instruments Used:
Chhaina
DrumsNarsingha
Flute
Cultural Significance:
Farmers perform Kud to thank deities for:
Protection of cattle
Safety of crops (especially maize)
Well-being of children and families
Protection from natural calamities
👉 Exam Point:
Kud dance is performed in Jammu during the rainy season to thank local deities for agricultural protection.
3. Chajja Dance
Context: Lohri Festival (mid-January)
Region: Jammu
Chajja dance is a festive folk dance performed during Lohri, celebrating harvest and seasonal change.
Performance Highlights:
Dancers carry a ‘Chajja’, a peacock model made of bamboo and coloured paper
Highly energetic and lively danceInvolves group parades and stick-clicking movements
Symbolizes joy, prosperity, and festivity
👉 Exam Point:
Chajja dance is associated with Lohri and features a peacock model made of bamboo.
4. Phumania Dance
Context: Religious invocation
Region: Rural Jammu villages
Phumania is an invocative folk dance performed to worship the deity Gugga.
Performed exclusively by men
Expresses gratitude and devotionPerformed for protection from diseases and calamities
👉 Exam Point:
Phumania is a male-only folk dance dedicated to the deity Gugga.
5. Geetru Dance
Context: Festivals and social occasions
Region: Dogra-Pahari belt of Jammu
Geetru is a traditional dance-cum-song form reflecting community life.
Includes both singing and dancing
Performed by men and women togetherCommon during:
Rural weddings
Social gatherings
👉 Exam Point:
Geetru dance involves both singing and dancing and is popular in the Dogra-Pahari region.
6. Dandaras Dance
Context: Lohri Festival
Region: Jammu
Dandaras is a highly professional and rhythmic folk dance.
Performance Style:
Dancers carry a model of a peacock
Perform complex stick-hitting movementsRequires coordination, balance, and training
👉 Exam Point:
Dandaras dance is performed during Lohri with sticks and peacock models.
7. Other Notable Folk Dances of Jammu
a) Gujjar Folk Dances
Performed by Gujjar tribe men and women
Common during weddings and celebrations
Performers wear traditional Gojri attire
b) Dhaku
A traditional folk dance of Jammu
Performed during community gatherings
c) Karkan
Folk songs and dances
Performed on special and festive occasions
Here is a clean, exam-ready continuation article covering the remaining folk dances of Jammu, written in the same tone and standard by Home Academy. You can directly add this as a second part / extension to your existing article.
Additional Folk Dances of Jammu
Apart from the popular dances like Jagrana, Kud, and Chajja, Jammu region is also home to several lesser-known folk dances that reflect local customs, seasonal celebrations, women’s participation, and rural life. These dances are important from a JKSSB and regional culture exam perspective.
1. Heren Dance
Context: Religious and seasonal occasions
Region: Rural Jammu
Heren is a traditional folk dance performed mainly during religious gatherings and village fairs.
Performed in groups
Movements are slow and rhythmic
Reflects devotion and social unity
👉 Exam Point:
Heren is a folk dance of rural Jammu associated with religious occasions.
2. Karan (Karkan) Dance
Context: Festive and special occasions
Region: Jammu
Karan (also called Karkan) is a form of folk singing combined with dance, performed during happy occasions.
Includes folk songs and light dance steps
Performed during celebrations and rituals
Expresses joy and social bonding
👉 Exam Point:
Karan or Karkan is a folk dance-song tradition of Jammu.
3. Benthe Dance
Context: Social gatherings and festivals
Region: Jammu
Benthe is a community-based folk dance.
Simple steps and circular movements
Encourages collective participation
Reflects harmony and cooperation
👉 Exam Point:
Benthe dance represents community participation in Jammu’s folk culture.
4. Surma Dance
Context: Women-centric celebrations
Region: Jammu
Surma is a women-oriented folk dance, usually performed for a newly married girl whose husband is away in army
Performed by women in groups
Expresses happiness, grace, and cultural identity
Often accompanied by folk songs
👉 Exam Point:
Surma is a women folk dance of Jammu.
5. Bakhan Dance
Context: Storytelling and folk narration
Region: Jammu
Bakhan is a narrative folk dance, closely linked with storytelling traditions.
Dance movements accompany folk tales
Used to pass on moral and cultural values
Popular in village settings
👉 Exam Point:
Bakhan dance combines storytelling with folk performance.
6. Keekli Dance
Context: Childhood and festive occasions
Region: Jammu
Keekli is a joyful folk dance performed by young girls.
Girls form pairs and rotate rapidly
Performed during festivals and leisure time
Symbolizes innocence and happiness
👉 Exam Point:
Keekli is a popular children’s folk dance of Jammu.
7. Letri (Lettri) Dance
Context: Informal social occasions
Region: Jammu
Letri is a light-hearted folk dance, usually performed during village gatherings.
Simple rhythm and movements
Open participation
Reflects everyday rural life
👉 Exam Point:
Letri is an informal folk dance of Jammu region.
8. Chowki Nach (Chowkinach)
Context: Ritualistic and traditional performances
Region: Jammu
Chowki Nach is a traditional dance performed around a chowki (platform).
Performed during ceremonial occasions
Symbolizes devotion and discipline
Often linked with folk music traditions
👉 Exam Point:
Chowki Nach is performed around a platform during rituals in Jammu.
9. Dikku Dance
Context: Tribal and rural traditions
Region: Interior areas of Jammu
Dikku is a folk dance rooted in rural and tribal life.
Performed during community celebrations
Emphasizes coordination and rhythm
Strengthens social unity
👉 Exam Point:
Dikku is a traditional rural folk dance of Jammu.
One-Liner Revision (Quick MCQs)
Jagrana → Women’s wedding dance
Kud → Thanksgiving dance to Lok DevtasChajja → Lohri festival dance with peacock model
Phumania → Male dance for deity Gugga
Geetru → Dance with singing by men & women
Dandaras → Stick dance during Lohri
Heren → Religious folk dance
Karan/Karkan → Folk song and danceBenthe → Community dance
Surma → Women folk dance
Bakhan → Storytelling dance
Keekli → Dance of young girls
Letri → Informal rural dance
Chowki Nach → Ritual platform dance
Dikku → Tribal/rural folk dance