SSC
Kolannalu, a folk dance of Andhra Pradesh, is popularly known as:
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Answer: Option C — Stick dance
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Stick dance. Kolannalu, also known as Kolattam, is a popular folk dance of Andhra Pradesh, also performed in Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. "Kol" means stick, and the dance is performed with a pair of short wooden sticks held by each dancer.
In the Kolannalu dance, the dancers, usually in groups of eight to forty, move in two concentric circles or in pairs. Each dancer holds two colourful sticks and strikes them together and against the sticks of the dancers next to them or opposite them, in time with the music. As the dance goes on, the dancers change places and form complex patterns, and the clicking of the sticks creates a lively, rhythmic sound. The group is led by a leader who sets the rhythm and sings, while the others follow in chorus. A special form of the dance, called Pinnal Kolattam (braided Kolattam), uses ribbons tied to a pole in the centre, which the dancers braid and unbraid as they move. Kolannalu is performed during village festivals, temple fairs and religious occasions, such as the festivals of Sankranti and Dussehra.
About the other options:
- Pot dances include Karagattam of Tamil Nadu, Chari and Bhavai of Rajasthan, and Matki of Madhya Pradesh.
- The peacock dance is Mayilattam of Tamil Nadu, in which the dancers dress as peacocks.
The umbrella dance is not the popular name of Kolannalu. Umbrellas are used in some festivals, such as the Kudamattam (the exchange of decorated umbrellas on elephants) at the Thrissur Pooram of Kerala.
Stick dances are found in many parts of India. Dandiya Raas of Gujarat, Saila of Chhattisgarh, Gair of Rajasthan and Kolkali of Kerala and Lakshadweep are other well-known examples.
💡 Exam tip
Kolannalu and Kolattam are two names for the same stick dance of South India. Questions may describe a dance as "similar to the stick dance" or ask for its popular name, so remember the link between "kol" and stick.💬 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.