India's Folk Traditions at IFFI

Why in News?

Recently, Day 3 of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 transformed the INOX venue in Panaji, Goa, into a vibrant showcase of the nation’s diverse performance arts.

What is the International Film Festival of India (IFFI)?

• Origin – Born in 1952, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) stands tall as South Asia’s oldest and largest celebration of cinema.
• Host – Jointly hosted by
  • The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
  • Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
  • The Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG).
  • State Government of Goa.
• Significance – The festival has grown into a global cinematic powerhouse—where restored classics meet bold experiments, and legendary maestros share space with fearless first-timers.
• What makes IFFI truly sparkle is its electric mix—international competitions, cultural showcases, masterclasses, tributes, and the high-energy WAVES Film Bazaar, where ideas, deals and collaborations take flight.
• 56th edition – Staged against Goa’s stunning coastal backdrop from November 20–28.
• The 56th edition promises a dazzling spectrum of languages, genres, innovations, and voices—an immersive celebration of India’s creative brilliance on the world stage

What are the traditional performances that took place?

• Gussadi (Telangana) – Gussadi is a vibrant folk dance from the Gond tribe in Telangana, performed during the Dandari festival which coincides with Diwali.
• The male-only dancers wear elaborate costumes, including colorful clothes, peacock feather turbans, and deer antlers, and perform energetic routines to traditional instruments like the dappu and tudumu.
• Mahishasura Mardini (West Bengal) – It is a dramatic folk play-dance, offering a powerful depiction of good triumphing over evil.
• The performance vividly recreated the epic battle between Goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura, complete with appearances by other major deities and striking martial choreography inherent to the Chhau style
• Mahishasura Mardini in West Bengal most commonly refers to the Mahishamardini Shakti Peeth in Bakreshwar, a sacred site dedicated to the goddess who slays the demon Mahishasura.
• It also refers to the famous Durga Puja festival, where a central image is the deity Mahishasura Mardini (a form of Durga), a tradition deeply ingrained in the state's culture.
• Sambalpuri Chutkuchuta (Odisha) – Chutkuchuta" in Odisha can refer to a traditional folk dance, an album of songs, or a restaurant.
• Sambalpuri Chutkuchuta is an energetic folk dance from the Sambalpur region of Odisha, while "Chutku Chuta" and "Chutkuchuta" are also the titles of popular Odia music albums.
• Additionally, "Hotel Chutkuchuta" is a specific hotel in Odisha.
• Tarpa Dance (Daman and Diu/Maharashtra) – Tarpa Dance is a tribal folk dance originating from tribes in Maharashtra, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
• It is characterized by performers dancing in a circle to the music of a wind instrument also called a "tarpa".
• The dance is performed during celebrations like harvests, marriages, and childbirths, often on moonlit nights.
• The dancers form a spiral or circle, and others can join in, with the musician staying inside the circle
• Chari Dance (Rajasthan) – The Chari dance is a traditional folk dance from Rajasthan, India, performed by women, particularly from the Kanjar and Gurjar communities.
• Dancers balance brass pots on their heads while performing graceful movements and twirls.
• The dance symbolizes the hard work of women collecting water and is performed at festivals and celebrations, with the pots sometimes carrying flaming lamps to create a fire effect.
• Lavani (Maharashtra) – Lavani is a traditional folk dance form of Maharashtra, known for its energetic blend of song, dance, and theatrics.
• Originating around the 16th or 18th century, it is performed by women dancers wearing nine-yard sarees and ghungroos to the rhythmic beats of instruments like the dholki.
• The name "Lavani" comes from the Marathi word "lavanya," meaning "beauty".
• Ram Vandana (Assam) – Ram Vandana" in Assam refers to a part of the Sattriya classical dance form originating from the Majuli island.
• It is a devotional performance that can be a segment in a larger play, such as the 15th-century "Ram Vijay" by Shrimant Shankardev, and features the graceful and refined movements characteristic of Sattriya dance.
• Bihu (Assam) – Bihu is the most important festival in Assam, celebrated three times a year, with the most popular being Rongali Bihu (or Bohag Bihu) in April, which marks the Assamese New Year and the start of spring.
• The festival celebrates life, unity, and gratitude through traditional music, the famous Bihu dance, community feasts, and various cultural events.
• The other two Bihu festivals are Bhogali Bihu in January, celebrating the harvest, and Kati Bihu in October, which focuses on the new paddy crop.

Reference

PIB| IFFI and Indian Folk dances