Daskathia, a traditional folk narrative art form performed with wooden clappers, belongs to which state?

The correct answer is Odisha. Daskathia is a traditional folk art form of Odisha, especially popular in the southern districts of the state, such as Ganjam. It is a form of storytelling through song, dance and music, performed by a pair of artists. The book from which this question comes describes it as a tribal dance of Odisha, but it is better described as a folk ballad or narrative performance.

The name Daskathia comes from the kathi, a wooden musical instrument made of two pieces of wood that are clapped together like castanets. The word is often explained as "das kathia", meaning a servant of God who plays the kathi. The performance is usually given by two artists. The main singer, called the gayaka, sings the story and plays the kathi, creating the rhythm with the clappers, while the assistant, called the palia, accompanies him, repeats the lines and adds comments, jokes and explanations. The stories are mostly taken from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas, and also from local legends and the lives of saints. The performers use gestures, movements and changes of voice to bring the characters to life, and they often add humour and social messages to keep the audience engaged. Daskathia is performed at religious festivals, fairs and social gatherings in the villages of Odisha.

About the other options:

• West Bengal is known for Gambhira, Purulia Chhau, Baul music and Brita dance.
• Jharkhand is known for Chhau of Seraikela, Paika and Jhumar.
• Bihar is known for Jat-Jatin, Jhijhiya and Bidesia.
• None of these is associated with Daskathia.
• Other folk arts of Odisha include Pala (another form of musical storytelling), Prahlad Nataka (a folk theatre of Ganjam), Gotipua, Dalkhai, Ghumura and Danda Nata.