Trance dances, also known as ecstatic or ritualistic dances, are often associated with spiritual practices and altered states of consciousness. While trance dances may not be as prevalent in classical or folk dance traditions, there are various forms of dance in India that are believed to induce trance-like states or altered consciousness. Here are some examples:

1. Tandava:

• Origin: Hindu mythology and tradition.
• Description: Tandava is a divine dance performed by Lord Shiva, symbolizing creation, destruction, and the rhythmic cycles of the universe. It is often depicted in sculpture and literature and is believed to induce a trance-like state in practitioners.

2. Thaipusam Kavadi Attam:

• Region: Tamil Nadu, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius.
• Description: Thaipusam Kavadi Attam is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Murugan, celebrated with processions and rituals. Devotees undergo acts of self-mortification and perform trance-like dances while carrying kavadis (ornate structures) as an expression of devotion and penance.

3. Gotipua:

• Region: Odisha.
• Description: Gotipua is a traditional dance form from Odisha, performed by young boys dressed as female dancers. It involves vigorous movements, acrobatics, and rhythmic patterns, often accompanied by chanting and percussion, and is believed to induce a heightened state of awareness.

4. Jhijhiya:

• Region: Bihar, Jharkhand.
• Description: Jhijhiya is a tribal dance form performed by the Maithil community during the Chhath Puja festival. Devotees dance rhythmically for long hours without eating or drinking, believed to induce a trance-like state and enhance spiritual connection.

5. Sarpam Thullal:

• Region: Kerala.
• Description: Sarpam Thullal is a serpent worship ritual performed in Kerala, dedicated to the snake god Nagaraja. Participants, often from the Pulluvar community, engage in trance-like dances, accompanied by rituals and offerings, to appease the serpent deity.

6. Sufi Whirling (Sama):

• Region: Practiced by Sufi mystics across India.
• Description: Sufi whirling, or Sama, is a mystical practice performed by Sufi dervishes as a form of meditation and spiritual communion with the divine. Dervishes spin in repetitive circles, accompanied by chanting and music, aiming to achieve a trance-like state and spiritual ecstasy.

7. Yakshagana Bayalata:

• Region: Karnataka.
• Description: Yakshagana Bayalata is a traditional form of open-air theater in Karnataka, characterized by energetic dance movements, vibrant costumes, and mythological storytelling. The intense performances and rhythmic music can induce a trance-like state in both performers and spectators.

8. Fire Walking:

• Region: Practiced in various regions of India.
• Description: Fire walking, also known as Agni Keli or Theemithi, is a ritual in which devotees walk barefoot over a bed of burning coals or hot embers. This act of self-purification and devotion is believed to induce altered states of consciousness and spiritual awakening.

These are just a few examples of trance dances or practices in India, each with its unique cultural, religious, and spiritual significance. Trance-inducing dances often play a crucial role in rituals, ceremonies, and festivals, facilitating spiritual experiences and connections with the divine.

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