India's Hidden Rhythms: Celebrating Lesser-Known Folk Dances from Bagurumba to Cheraw

• Guwahati set a Guinness World Record on January 17, 2026, with over 10,000 Bodo performers synchronizing the Bagurumba dance.
• Cheraw, Mizoram's "bamboo dance," involves rhythmic stepping between moving bamboo poles, symbolizing unity and rhythm.
• Thang-Ta from Manipur is a martial dance showcasing valor with sword and spear movements, rooted in Meitei traditions.
• Gotipua, a precursor to Odissi from Odisha, features young boys dressed as females performing acrobatic, devotional dances.
• Other highlighted dances include Odisha's martial Paika, Tamil Nadu's communal Kummi, Tripura's balance-oriented Hojagiri, the masked Chhau from Jharkhand/Odisha/West Bengal, and Maharashtra's expressive Lavani.

Why It Matters: India's diverse folk dances, from Bagurumba to Lavani, represent rich cultural heritage deserving wider recognition.