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'Kachchhi Ghodi', a folk dance performed with dummy horses, belongs to which state?
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Answer: Option C — Rajasthan
Detailed Solution
"Kachchhi Ghodi" is a folk dance of Rajasthan, especially of the Shekhawati region.
About Kachchhi Ghodi:
- It is performed by men riding dummy horses.
- The dummy horses are made of bamboo, paper, cloth and decorated with mirror work, embroidery and colourful fabrics.
Each dancer stands inside the frame of the dummy horse, so that it looks as if he is riding the horse. The "horse" hangs from his shoulders, and long cloths hide his legs.
The dancers wear traditional costumes: red turbans, dhotis and kurtas.
They hold swords and perform mock fights, moving forward and backward to the beat of drums ("dhol"), fifes and cymbals, as if their horses are charging and retreating.
The songs and dance tell stories of the bandits ("Bavaria" or Baori) of the Shekhawati region, and of brave local heroes.
It is performed at weddings (especially to entertain the bridegroom's party) and on festive occasions.
Similar dummy horse dances are found in other parts of India, such as "Poikkal Kuthirai" (Tamil Nadu) and "Kathi Ghodi".
Other folk dances of Rajasthan:
- Ghoomar: performed by women in long, flowing skirts ("ghagras"), who spin in circles.
- Kalbelia: performed by women of the Kalbelia snake-charmer community; added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2010.
- Chari: performed by women balancing brass pots ("charis") with lighted lamps on their heads.
- Terah Taali: performed by women of the Kamad community, who tie 13 cymbals ("manjiras") to their bodies.
- Bhavai: performed by women balancing many pots on their heads while dancing on glass or the edge of a sword.
- Gair: a men's dance with sticks, performed during Holi.
- Kathputli: string puppet shows.
- Agni Nritya: a fire dance performed by the Jasnathi Sidh community of Bikaner.
Folk dances of other states in the options:
- Gujarat: Garba, Dandiya Raas and Tippani.
- Punjab: Bhangra, Giddha and Jhumar.
- Haryana: Phag, Loor and Khoria.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Gujarat is known for Garba.
- ✗Punjab is known for Bhangra and Giddha.
- ✗Haryana is known for Phag and Loor.
Quick tip
Remember: Kachchhi Ghodi = Rajasthan (Shekhawati; men on dummy horses; mock sword fights); Kalbelia = UNESCO 2010; Chari = pots with lamps; Terah Taali = 13 cymbals; Agni Nritya = fire dance (Bikaner).
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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.