Indian Dance Forms: Classical and Folk — UPSC Prelims Quiz
Answer all questions carefully.
Movement as Expression: India's Classical Traditions and Folk Dance Heritage•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 statements about Kuchipudi dance:
1. The 'Tarangam' involves a dancer performing with feet on the edges of a brass plate while balancing a pot of water on the head.
2. The 'Daaru' is the Nritta (pure dance) section that opens every Kuchipudi performance.
3. Kuchipudi recitals are accompanied by Carnatic music and performed in Telugu language.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Question 02
hard
With reference to Kathakali dance, which of the following colour-significance pairs is INCORRECTLY matched?
Question 03
medium
Which one of the following is the CORRECT description of the 'Tribhanga' posture?
Question 04
hard
Consider the following pairs of classical dance forms and the music tradition they are primarily associated with:
1. Odissi — Carnatic music
2. Kathak — Hindustani music
3. Kuchipudi — Hindustani music
4. Bharatnatyam — Carnatic music
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Question 05
hard
With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements:
1. It is inspired by the Bhakti Movement and introduced by Vaishnava saint Shankaradeva in Assam in the 15th century AD.
2. The devotional songs used in Sattriya, called 'Borgeets', were composed by Tulsidas and Kabir.
3. The dance is generally performed in group by male monks known as 'Bhokots'.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Question 06
hard
Match the following Kathak Gharanas with their distinctive features:
List I (Gharana):
A. Lucknow
B. Jaipur
C. Raigarh
D. Banaras
List II (Feature):
1. Emphasis on percussion music; developed under Raja Chakradhar Singh
2. Emphasis on floorwork and symmetry; developed under Janakiprasad
3. Emphasis on expression and grace; flourished under Nawab Wajid Ali Khan
4. Initiated by Bhanuji; emphasised fluency, speed and long rhythmic patterns
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
Question 07
hard
Consider the following statements about Odissi dance:
1. Odissi is described as 'mobile sculpture' because dancers create intricate geometrical shapes and patterns with their body.
2. The dance form was originally patronised by the Jain king Kheravela and practised by 'maharis'.
3. Young boys who were dressed as females to continue the Odissi tradition after the Mahari system declined were called 'Gotipuas'.
4. Odissi dance uses lyrics from the Gita Govinda written by Tulsidas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Question 08
hard
Which of the following folk dances and their associated states/communities are CORRECTLY matched?
1. Kalbelia — Bhil tribe of Rajasthan
2. Cheraw — Mizoram (bamboo dance)
3. Thang Ta — Manipur (martial dance)
4. Singhi Chham — Sikkim (mask dance symbolising snow lion)
Question 09
medium
The Natya Shastra describes the constituent elements of the 'Natya Veda' created by Brahma by combining aspects of the four Vedas. Which of the following correctly matches the element with its Vedic source?
1. Pathya (words) — Rig Veda
2. Abhinaya (gestures) — Sam Veda
3. Rasa (emotions) — Atharva Veda
4. Geet (music) — Yajur Veda
Question 10
medium
Which of the following dance forms have been inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity?
Question 11
medium
Consider the following statements about Manipuri dance:
1. The dance form traces its mythological origin to the festival of 'Lai Haraoba' and gained prominence with the advent of Vaishnavism in the 15th century.
2. Manipuri dance is unique among classical forms in its emphasis on sensuality over devotion.
3. The 'Naga Bandha mudra', in which the body is connected through curves in the shape of '8', is a distinctive feature of Manipuri dance.
4. Rabindranath Tagore brought Manipuri dance into national limelight by introducing it at Santiniketan.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Question 12
hard
Which of the following is the correct sequence of a Bharatnatyam recital from beginning to end?
Pick an answer to get started — you can change it any time before submitting.