 Folk-art has sprung out of the creative urge of the people, ethnic groups, races and tribes that are uneducated and unlettered or little educated and outside the pale of urban, cultured and civilized living. They lack refinement and artificially. Thus, folk dance is a term which covers various dance-forms originated, developed and maintained by the villagers, farmers, peasants, shepherds, fishermen and tribals living in hamlets, countryside and far-flung areas. Their dances are neither codified, stylized, performed on the stage in traditional sense, nor taught by a professional guru and artist. It is out and out for the pleasure and enjoyment of the performers and not for the entertainment of others. It is characterized most by its spontaneity, collective impulse and participation, simplicity, freshness and lack of restraint.
The difference between a dialect and a language suitably exemplifies the difference between a folk dance-form, and a rigid, stylized and sophisticated classical dance. Folk means natural, untutored, free, spontaneous, unconscious, uncouth, original and not artificial. Here we find correspondingly far greater free play and expression of feelings, emotions and sentiments than in the classical forms. The folk people are born dancers; their gait, movement and various activities specially those of women betray their rhythmic tempo and sculpturesque and statuesque poses and postures. Folk-dance forms are intimately connected with performer's life, daily activities, environs and physical surroundings, nature and its various moods and seasons. That is why diversity of climate, topography, etc. is so well reflected in them. They are not something separate and aloof from their life and living, but are like a beautiful design of various colors woven inextricably into the fabric of their life.
 Being instinctive, unconscious and an expression of primitive genius, folk-dances are ever fresh, fragrant and imbued with a wonderful capacity to renew and to imbibe new influences and yet to maintain tradition and continuity. Indian folk-dances are part and parcel of rich cultural heritage and immense artistic wealth of the country. A folk dance is always a community and collective affair, a celebration shared by all, sometimes very simple, nothing beyond rhythmic shuffling of the feet containing very thin element of footwork and at times very complex, complicated, breath-taking and dramatic. Similarly in respect of costume, it my range from near nudity to very colorful, rich, gay and spectacular phenomenon, peculiar to the region and area.
Rooted in antiquity, the Indian folk-dances, in their incomparable multiplicity, variety and diversity, pose a big problem as far as their classification and categorization is concerned. They are at once thoroughly religious, social, ceremonial, seasonal, martial and ritual, and always inspired by mythology, legends, scriptures, and above all by the most primitive instinct to express pain and pleasure through linear and sculpturesque stances and rhythmic movements. They overlap and merge to some extent into one another. Their staggering variety and richness inspire awe and wonder. But it is not possible to cover all of these here, and so only most representative ones are taken on regional basis for the sake of convenience. They all are accompanied by songs and music and drumming. The drumming can be said to be ubiquitus. The drum has been given a great sanctity since remote antiquity.
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