SSC
In Jharkhand, the Paika dance, a martial dance performed by men, is mainly associated with which tribe?
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Answer: Option D — Munda
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Munda. The Paika dance is a martial folk dance performed by men in the Chota Nagpur plateau region of Jharkhand, and it is mainly associated with the Munda tribe. The name comes from "paika", meaning foot soldier, because the dance recreates the movements of warriors preparing for or fighting a battle.
In the Paika dance, the performers carry swords and shields, wear colourful turbans and costumes, and move in a powerful, rhythmic way that imitates attacks, defence and the victory march of soldiers. The dance is accompanied by drums such as the nagara and dhol, and by the shehnai and the narsingha (a type of trumpet). It is performed at weddings, festivals and to welcome important guests. The Paika dance is also an important tradition in Odisha, where it is linked to the Paika soldiers who served the kings of Odisha and who led the Paika rebellion against the British in 1817.
About the other options:
- The Santhal tribe, the largest tribe of Jharkhand, is known for its own dances and for the Santhal rebellion (Hul) of 1855-56, but the Paika dance is not mainly linked to the Santhals.
- The Bhil tribe lives mainly in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh and is known for dances such as Ghoomar and Gair.
- The Gond tribe lives mainly in central India and is known for dances such as Karma, and in Telangana for the Gussadi dance.
💡 Exam tip
Jharkhand's tribes and their dances are tested often. Remember that the Munda are linked with the Paika and Mundari dances, the Oraon with the Sarhul festival, and that Chhau of Seraikela is the best-known dance of the state. The Paika dance is also asked about in connection with Odisha, so read the question carefully.💬 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.