SSC
'Gonph' (Goff), a dance performed with braided coloured ropes, is a famous folk dance of which state?
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Answer: Option D — Goa
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Goa. Gonph, also spelt Goff, is a folk dance of Goa, performed mainly by the farming communities of the southern part of the state, especially in the Canacona taluka. It is usually performed during the spring festival of Shigmo, after the harvest.
The Gonph dance is known for its unusual and beautiful use of coloured ropes. A frame or pole with many long, colourful cords hanging from it is set up in the centre. Each dancer holds the end of one cord, and as they dance around the pole in complex patterns, weaving in and out among one another, the cords are braided into an intricate plait. Then, by reversing the steps, the dancers unbraid the cords again. This requires great coordination and memory, since a single wrong step can tangle the cords. The dancers sing folk songs, often in praise of Lord Krishna, and the music is provided by drums and other traditional instruments. The dance celebrates the joy of the harvest and the spirit of community.
About the other options:
- Maharashtra is known for Lavani, Koli, Powada and Tamasha.
- Karnataka is known for Yakshagana, Dollu Kunitha, Kamsale and Bhoota Kola.
- Kerala is known for Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Theyyam and Thullal.
- None of these states is associated with Gonph.
Goa's folk dances reflect its mix of Konkani, Hindu and Portuguese Catholic traditions. Important dances include Fugdi (performed by women during Ganesh Chaturthi), Dhalo (a women's ritual dance in the month of Paush), Ghode Modni (the warrior or horse dance), Tarangamel (performed with colourful flags during Dussehra and Holi), Dekhni (a dance with a pot), Mando (a Catholic song and dance form) and Dhangar (the dance of the shepherd community).
💡 Exam tip
Goa questions usually focus on Fugdi, Dekhni, Mando and Ghode Modni, but less-known dances such as Gonph and Tarangamel are also asked in SSC exams. Link Gonph with the braiding of coloured ropes and with the Shigmo festival.💬 Discussions on this question
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Ask a doubtMore Indian Dance Forms Questions
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- Q2.Lavani, Powada, Koli, Waghya Murali and Dhangari Gaja are folk dances of which state?
- Q3.The one-act play associated with the Sattriya tradition of Assam is called:
- Q4.Which dance form of Goa is known as the 'Warrior Dance'?
- Q5.Manipuri dance is based on the Rasleela themes of:
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.