Indian Theatre: Classical, Folk and Modern — UPSC Prelims Quiz
Answer all questions carefully.
Stage, Story, and Society: India's Theatrical Heritage Across Time•hard•12 questions•~8 min
Saved Progress
Sign in to save quiz attempts and chapter progress to your account.
Quiz Progress
0 answered12 total0s
Practice freely — sign in before you submit if you'd like this score saved.
Question 01
hard
Consider the following pairs of Sanskrit plays and their authors:
1. Sariputraprakarana — Ashvaghosh
2. Mricchakatika — Kalidasa
3. Mudrarakshasa — Visakhadatta
4. Ratnavali — Harshavardhan
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Question 02
hard
Which of the following statements about classical Sanskrit theatre are correct?
1. Sanskrit plays were categorised into ten types, of which Natya Shastra specifically describes only Nataka and Prakarna.
2. Masks were used extensively to intensify the dramatic impact, while curtains were not used.
3. The Vidusaka (Clown) traditionally spoke in Prakrit while other characters spoke in Sanskrit.
4. Sanskrit plays always had happy endings, unlike Greek tragedies, and portrayal of tragedy was rare.
Question 03
medium
With reference to Koodiyattam (Koothiyattam), consider the following statements:
1. It is India's oldest continuing form of theatre, having survived since the 10th century AD in Kerala.
2. It is the traditional privilege of the Chakyar and Nambiar castes of Kerala.
3. All characters begin the play with 'Nirvahana', a recollection of past events.
4. The performance is conducted entirely in Sanskrit.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Question 04
hard
Which of the following folk theatres and their respective states/regions are CORRECTLY matched?
1. Ankia Nat — Assam (one-act play; initiated by Shankaradeva)
2. Jatra — Eastern India (initiated by Sri Chaitanya)
3. Bhavai — Odisha (romantic theme; sutradhara called Nayaka)
4. Ramman — Uttarakhand (UNESCO ICH; dedicated to Bhumiyal Devta)
Question 05
medium
Nautanki, one of the most popular forms of theatre in North India, finds mention in Abul Fazl's Ain-e-Akbari. Which of the following statements about Nautanki is/are correct?
1. Nautanki is an offshoot of Swang.
2. Dialogues in Nautanki are delivered in a lyrical fashion accompanied by beats of a drum called Nagara.
3. Two schools of Nautanki — seated around Kanpur and Lucknow — gained importance in the later period.
4. Nautanki was initiated by Vaishnava saint Sri Chaitanya as an open-air performance.
Question 06
hard
Match the following folk theatre forms with their distinctive features:
List I (Theatre):
A. Tamasha
B. Daskathia
C. Bhand Pather
D. Maach
List II (Feature):
1. Folk theatre of J&K; secular in outlook; performed by Muslims; involves social satire
2. Folk theatre of Maharashtra; female actors play male roles; accompanied by Lavani songs
3. Folk theatre of Odisha; two narrators — Gayaka and Palia; music via wooden 'kathia'
4. Folk theatre of Malwa (MP); dialogues as couplets called Rangat Dohas; originated in Ujjain
Select the correct code:
Question 07
hard
Consider the following statements about Theatres of South India:
1. South Indian theatrical traditions emphasise dance, whereas North Indian folk theatre emphasises music.
2. Yakshagana originated in the royal courts of the Vijayanagar empire and was performed by a community known as Jakkula Varu.
3. Tal-Maddale is generally considered the successor of Yakshagana and is performed with elaborate costumes and dance.
4. Kuruvanji is characterised by classical Tamil poetry and is performed in a dance ballet form with Bharatnatyam.
Question 08
hard
Which of the following statements about the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) is/are correct?
1. IPTA was formed in 1943 as a cultural wing of the Indian National Congress.
2. It was disbanded in 1947 but played an important role in theatre development before that.
3. Notable personalities associated with IPTA include Balraj Sahni, Ritwik Ghatak and Utpal Dutt.
4. IPTA currently exists in Chhattisgarh, Punjab and West Bengal.
Question 09
medium
The Dramatic Performances Act was imposed by the British Government in India primarily to:
Question 10
easy
Consider the following about the Sutradhar in Sanskrit theatre:
1. The Sutradhar was the stage manager and director of the play.
2. He was dressed in white and would offer worship to the deity and seek blessings.
3. He summoned the leading lady and announced the time and place of the play.
4. He also gave a brief introduction of the playwright.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Question 11
hard
Which of the following is NOT correctly matched?
(Theatre form — Distinctive feature)
Question 12
medium
Consider the following statements about Rabindranath Tagore's contribution to Indian theatre:
1. His first play was Valmiki Pratibha, written at the age of twenty.
2. Roktokoribi (Red Oleanders), Chitrangada and Post-Office are among his famous theatrical works.
3. His themes included nationalism, spirituality and socio-political situations.
4. He established the Prithvi Theatre in 1942 as a moving theatre.
Pick an answer to get started — you can change it any time before submitting.