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Hallisaka, an ancient group dance associated with Krishna and the gopis, is native to which state?
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Answer: Option C — Gujarat
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Gujarat. Hallisaka is an ancient group dance mentioned in classical Sanskrit literature, including the Harivamsa and the works of poets such as Kalidasa. It is associated with Lord Krishna and the gopis (cowherd women), and it is regarded as native to the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, where Krishna is believed to have lived in his later years, after founding the city of Dwarka.
In the Hallisaka dance, as described in ancient texts, a group of women dance in a circle around a single man, usually understood to be Krishna, who stands in the centre and leads the dance. The women hold hands and move in a circle, singing and clapping. Hallisaka is considered one of the earliest forms of circular group dance in India, and it is believed to be an ancestor of later dances such as the Raas Leela and, especially, the Raas and Garba of Gujarat, which are also performed in circles. The Raas dances of Saurashtra, such as the Dandiya Raas, the Taali Raas and the Mer Raas, all show the influence of this ancient tradition. According to legend, Usha, the daughter of the demon king Banasura, who married Krishna's grandson Aniruddha, learnt the lasya dance from Parvati and taught it to the gopis of Saurashtra, which helped spread the dance in the region.
Gujarat's folk dances today include Garba and Dandiya Raas (performed during Navratri), Tippani, Padhar, Hudo, Siddi Dhamal and Rathwa ni Gher. In December 2023, UNESCO inscribed the Garba of Gujarat on its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
About the other options:
- Kerala is known for Kathakali, Mohiniyattam and Theyyam.
- Assam is known for Bihu, Sattriya and Bagurumba.
- Punjab is known for Bhangra, Giddha and Luddi.
- None of these is the home of Hallisaka.
💡 Exam tip
Hallisaka is an ancient circular dance linked with Krishna and the gopis. It is native to Gujarat and is seen as an ancestor of the Raas and Garba dances of the state.💬 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.