SSC
Choliya (Chholiya), a martial sword dance, is related to which state?
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Answer: Option B — Uttarakhand
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Uttarakhand. Choliya, also written Chholiya, is a traditional sword dance of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is more than a thousand years old and is believed to have begun in the time of the Chand and Katyuri rulers, when warriors won brides through battle. It is now performed mainly at weddings, as part of the procession of the groom to the bride's home.
In the Choliya dance, male dancers wear colourful traditional costumes, including a long, flowing churidar and a turban, and carry swords and shields. They perform a mock battle, clashing swords and shields while dancing and leaping in rhythm. The movements are energetic and acrobatic, and the dancers show great skill and coordination. The music is provided by traditional instruments such as the dhol, damau (drums), turri, ransingh (horns), masakbeen (bagpipe) and cymbals. The dance is believed to protect the wedding party from evil spirits and to bring good fortune to the couple.
Uttarakhand has two main cultural regions, Kumaon and Garhwal, and both have rich folk dance traditions. Important dances include Langvir Nritya (an acrobatic dance performed by men on top of a pole), Barada Nati, Jhora (a community dance performed in spring), Chancheri, Thadya, Pandav Nritya (based on the Mahabharata), Hurka Baul (performed during the planting of maize and paddy) and Jhumaila.
About the other options:
Himachal Pradesh has its own martial dance, the Kharaiti, but it is not called Choliya. The state is best known for Nati.
Jammu and Kashmir is known for Rouf, Kud, Dumhal and Bhand Pather.
Sikkim is known for Chu Faat, Maruni and Tashi Sabdo.
💡 Exam tip
Choliya is the most frequently asked martial dance of Uttarakhand. Questions may describe it as a sword dance of the Kumaon region performed at weddings. Other martial dances of India include Paika (Odisha and Jharkhand), Thang-Ta (Manipur), Spao (Ladakh) and Gatka (Punjab).💬 Discussions on this question
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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.