SSC
Gavari, a dance-drama performed for about 40 days, is mainly performed in which state?
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Answer: Option A — Rajasthan
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Rajasthan. Gavari (also written Gauri) is a ritual dance-drama of the Bhil tribe of the Mewar region of Rajasthan, especially in and around Udaipur. It is one of the oldest and most unusual folk theatre traditions of India.
Gavari is performed every year for about 40 days, starting in the month of Bhadrapad (August and September), after the festival of Raksha Bandhan. It is performed in honour of the goddess Gauri (Parvati) and Lord Shiva. During this period, troupes of Bhil performers, all of them men (who also play the female roles), travel from village to village and perform episodes from the Gavari tradition. The performers follow strict rules during the 40 days: they do not eat meat or green vegetables, they do not sleep on beds, and they stay away from their homes. The stories come from local legends, myths about Shiva and Parvati and from the lives of local heroes, and they mix religious themes with humour and social commentary. The performances take place in open spaces, with the audience gathered around in a circle, and they are accompanied by drums and the thali (a metal plate). The central character, Budiya, represents Lord Shiva.
About the other options:
Gujarat is known for Garba, Dandiya Raas, Tippani and Padhar.
Madhya Pradesh is known for Matki, Grida, Rai and Bhagoriya. The Bhils also live in Madhya Pradesh, but the Gavari dance-drama belongs to the Mewar region of Rajasthan.
Maharashtra is known for Lavani, Koli, Powada and Tamasha.
💡 Exam tip
Link the Bhil tribe of Rajasthan with three performing arts: Gavari (a 40-day dance-drama in honour of Gauri), Gair (a stick dance during Holi) and Ghoomar (believed to have originated with the Bhils).💬 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.