SSC
Paika, Ghumura and Dhap are folk dances of which state?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)View answer ▾Hide ▴
Answer: Option B — Odisha
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Odisha. Paika, Ghumura and Dhap are all folk dances of Odisha, a state with a very rich tradition of classical, folk and tribal performing arts.
The Paika dance is a martial dance of Odisha. It takes its name from the Paikas, the foot soldiers who served the kings of Odisha. The dancers carry swords and shields and act out battle movements to the beat of drums, showing the strength and courage of the warriors. The Paika soldiers are remembered for the Paika Rebellion (Paika Bidroha) of 1817 against British rule, led by Bakshi Jagabandhu. Ghumura is a folk dance of the Kalahandi district of western Odisha, named after the ghumura, a large earthen drum shaped like a pitcher, which the dancers hang around their necks and play while dancing. In the past, it was believed to be a war dance, performed to encourage soldiers. Today, it is performed at festivals and social events, and it has been showcased at national events. Dhap is a folk dance of western Odisha, especially among the Kondh and other tribal communities. It is named after the dhap, a one-sided drum, and is performed by young men and women at weddings and festivals.
Other folk dances of Odisha include Gotipua, Dalkhai (a women's dance performed during Dussehra in western Odisha), Sambalpuri dances, Ranappa (a dance on stilts), Danda Nata (a ritual dance for Lord Shiva) and the Mayurbhanj Chhau. The classical dance of the state is Odissi.
About the other options:
- Assam is known for Bihu, Sattriya and Bagurumba.
- Bihar is known for Jat-Jatin, Jhijhiya and Bidesia.
- Gujarat is known for Garba, Dandiya Raas and Tippani.
💡 Exam tip
The Paika dance is linked with both Odisha and Jharkhand. In Odisha, it is linked with the Paika soldiers and the Paika Rebellion of 1817. Ghumura (Kalahandi) is another frequently asked dance of Odisha.💬 Discussions on this question
Ask a doubt ›Still stuck on this question? Ask our faculty and fellow students — answers appear here.
Ask a doubtMore Indian Dance Forms Questions
View all ›- Q1.The techniques of Rasa and Bhava used in Indian classical dance trace their origin to which ancient text?
- Q2.Lavani, Powada, Koli, Waghya Murali and Dhangari Gaja are folk dances of which state?
- Q3.The one-act play associated with the Sattriya tradition of Assam is called:
- Q4.Which dance form of Goa is known as the 'Warrior Dance'?
- Q5.Manipuri dance is based on the Rasleela themes of:
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.