The Dance forms of Bihar: Bihar, often celebrated for its ancient history and intellectual legacy, is also a land where rhythm, movement, and tradition come together in vibrant celebration. From village courtyards to temple festivals, Bihar’s dance forms are not just artistic expressions—they are living testaments to the region’s cultural soul. Each step, each gesture, tells a story of devotion, celebration, and identity passed down through generations.
Let’s journey into the heart of Bihar’s folk traditions and explore the rich tapestry of dance forms that continue to keep its spirit alive.
One of Bihar’s most iconic folk dances, Jat-Jatin is a duet performed by male and female dancers, often depicting the emotional exchanges between a couple separated by seasonal migration. The dance is especially popular in north Bihar and is traditionally performed during the monsoon season.
Themes: Love, separation, longing
Instruments Used: Dholak, harmonium, bansuri (flute)
Founded by Bhikhari Thakur, a legendary playwright and performer, Bidesia is both a dance and theatrical form that combines music, movement, and sharp social commentary. It deals with migration, gender issues, and societal change—all presented in a deeply emotional yet entertaining way.
Themes: Migration, gender inequality, morality
Instruments Used: Sarangi, tabla, dhol
Though often associated with Jharkhand and Odisha, Chhau dance has a strong presence in Bihar’s bordering regions, particularly in areas like Seraikela and Munger. It blends classical movements with folk storytelling and even elements of martial arts, using elaborate masks and powerful choreography.
Themes: Mythology, valor, spirituality
Instruments Used: Dhol, nagara, shehnai
Performed during weddings, especially in the Mithila and Bhojpuri regions, Domkach is a participatory dance where women from both the bride’s and groom’s families sing witty songs while dancing in circles. It’s an informal, joyful expression of familial bonding and social fun.
Themes: Marriage rituals, humor, family bonding
Performed By: Women (traditionally)
Jhumar is another vibrant dance, mainly seen among the tribal communities of southern Bihar and bordering Jharkhand. It is slow, graceful, and performed during harvest festivals or community gatherings, often by women adorned in traditional jewelry and attire.
Themes: Nature, harvest, community celebration
Instruments Used: Mandar, dhol, flute
Popular in the Bhojpuri-speaking belt, Kajari is both a song and dance tradition associated with the arrival of monsoon. Women perform this in groups, expressing longing for their beloveds who are often away due to work. The music and movements are emotive and deeply tied to the rains.
Themes: Rain, longing, romance
Season: Shravan (monsoon months)
Natua is a unique folk performance that blends dance with acrobatics. It is often performed during festivals and local fairs and is particularly famous in Champaran and other northern districts. The male dancers, often dressed in vibrant attire, exhibit daring physical feats to musical beats.
Themes: Festivity, masculinity, physical prowess
Instruments Used: Dhol, manjira
Jhijhiya is a mystical and devotional dance performed primarily by women during the Durga Puja/Navratri period in the Mithila and Bhojpuri regions. Women carry earthen pots on their heads, each with multiple holes and a lamp lit inside, as they dance in rhythm to invoke Goddess Durga’s protection from evil spirits and natural calamities.
Themes: Devotion, feminine power, community prayer
Occasion: Navratri (Ashwin month)
Instruments Used: Dholak, manjira, harmonium
At The Eastern Roots, we believe that Bihar’s dance forms are more than art—they are cultural memories carved in motion. They reflect the joys and struggles of everyday life, the reverence for nature, the importance of relationships, and the community’s collective wisdom.
In an age where Dandiya and Garba dominate urban festivals in dazzling outfits and commercial soundtracks, Bihar’s rich dance traditions are often overlooked in the name of glamor. While it’s beautiful to embrace other cultural expressions, we must also ask: Why are our own folk forms missing from college fests, stage shows, and reels?
Each Bihari dance carries with it layers of storytelling, spirituality, and heritage that can’t be replicated by mere sparkle. Jhijhiya’s sacred fire, Bidesia’s emotional dialogues, or Jhumar’s tribal grace offer something deeper, more rooted—and uniquely ours.
