SSC
Borgeet, a form of devotional song, is used in which classical dance?
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Answer: Option D — Sattriya
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Sattriya. Borgeet ("bor" means great and "geet" means song) are devotional songs composed by Srimanta Sankaradeva and his disciple Madhavadeva in the 15th and 16th centuries. They are a central part of the neo-Vaishnavite tradition of Assam, and they are sung in the sattras (Vaishnavite monasteries), in the Ankiya Nat plays and in the Sattriya dance.
The Borgeets are written in Brajavali, a literary language that mixes Assamese with Maithili and other languages of eastern India. They are mostly devoted to Lord Krishna and describe his childhood, his greatness and the devotion of his followers. About 240 Borgeets are said to have been composed by Sankaradeva, but only about 34 of them survive today. Madhavadeva composed about 191 Borgeets. Each Borgeet is set to a particular raga, and the songs are sung in a traditional style, accompanied by the khol (drum), the taal (cymbals) and other instruments. In a Sattriya performance, the Borgeets are sung by the gayan (singer) while the dancers interpret the songs through their movements and expressions. The Borgeets are considered an important part of Assamese literature and music.
Sattriya, the classical dance of Assam, was created by Sankaradeva as part of the Ankiya Nat plays and was preserved in the sattras for centuries. It was recognised as a classical dance by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000. Its main features include the Gayan-Bayan (a musical prelude of singing and drumming), the Borgeet, the Mati Akhora (basic exercises) and dance types such as Chali, Jhumura, Nadu Bhangi and Sutradhari.
About the other options:
- Manipuri is accompanied by Sankirtana songs and the pung (drum).
- Kathak is accompanied by Hindustani music, including thumri and bhajan.
- Odissi is accompanied by Odissi music, using songs from the Gita Govinda and Odia poets.
💡 Exam tip
Link Borgeet with Sankaradeva, Madhavadeva, Brajavali and Sattriya. Questions may also ask about the language of the Borgeets (Brajavali).💬 Discussions on this question
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Ask a doubtMore Indian Dance Forms Questions
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Indian Dance Forms — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Indian Dance Forms, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
Indian dance forms are one of the most frequently tested areas of static GK. This topic covers the eight classical dances recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam and Sattriya), the folk and tribal dances of every state, and related terms such as mudra, abhinaya, lasya and tandava. Most questions ask which state a dance belongs to, which community performs it, or which feature identifies a classical style. Learn the classical dances with their state and one signature feature each, such as the face make-up of Kathakali or the brass plate of Kuchipudi. For folk dances, group them state by state, since exams often list three or four dances and ask for the common state. Watch for dances shared by more than one state, such as Chhau, which has three styles. Practise the Indian dance forms questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.