In which classical dance do the female performers wear a stiff, cylindrical skirt called the 'Potloi'?

The correct answer is Manipuri. The Potloi is the distinctive costume worn by the female dancers in the Ras Leela of Manipuri dance, the classical dance of Manipur. It is one of the most recognisable costumes of any Indian dance form.

The Potloi is a stiff, barrel-shaped (cylindrical) skirt, which stands out from the body and reaches down to the ankles. It is made of heavy, stiffened cloth, usually green or red, and it is richly decorated with embroidery, small mirrors, sequins and gold and silver thread. Over the Potloi, the dancer wears a short, transparent overskirt, called the Pheijom (or a fine net layer), and a velvet blouse. The face is partly covered by a thin white veil, called the Meikhumbi, which falls from a headdress called the Koknam. Because of the Potloi, the dancers seem to glide across the stage, with their feet hidden, which adds to the soft, flowing and graceful quality of the dance. According to tradition, the costume was designed by Maharaja Bhagyachandra, the 18th century king of Manipur who created the Ras Leela, after he saw it in a dream. The character of Krishna, in contrast, wears a yellow dhoti, a dark velvet jacket and a crown decorated with peacock feathers.

Manipuri dance is known for its devotional themes from the life of Radha and Krishna, its two aspects, Jagoi (gentle) and Cholom (vigorous), and its unusual features: the dancers avoid eye contact with the audience and never strike the floor hard with their feet.

About the other options:

• Sattriya dancers wear costumes made of pat silk, in white, yellow or red, with traditional Assamese jewellery.
• Odissi dancers wear a sari, stitched into a costume, with silver jewellery and a headdress called the tahia.
• Mohiniyattam dancers wear a white or off-white saree with a gold border.
• None of these uses the Potloi.