Railway
Parichakali, a dance performed with swords and shields, is a popular folk dance of:
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Answer: Option B — Lakshadweep
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Lakshadweep. Parichakali is one of the best-known folk dances of Lakshadweep, the group of islands in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Kerala. "Paricha" refers to the shield, and the dance is performed by men holding a sword in one hand and a shield in the other.
In the Parichakali dance, the dancers move in pairs or groups and act out a mock fight, striking their swords against the shields of their partners in time with the music, while moving in circles and patterns. The movements are vigorous and rhythmic, and they show the skill and strength of the dancers. The dance is accompanied by songs and the beat of drums, and the tempo usually rises as the dance goes on. Parichakali is performed at festivals, weddings and other celebrations, and it reflects the martial traditions that the islanders share with the Malabar coast of Kerala, from where many of their ancestors came.
Lakshadweep, India's smallest Union Territory, is made up of 36 islands, of which about 10 are inhabited. Its capital is Kavaratti, and most of its people are Muslims who speak Malayalam (in the Jeseri dialect), except on Minicoy, where Mahl is spoken. Other dances of Lakshadweep include Kolkali (a stick dance, also popular in Kerala), Oppana (performed by women at weddings) and the Lava dance of Minicoy Island.
About the other options:
- Puducherry is known for the Garadi dance, performed at the Villianur temple.
- The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are known for the dances of their tribal communities, such as the Nicobarese.
- Goa is known for Fugdi, Dhalo, Mando and Ghode Modni.
- None of these is associated with Parichakali.
💡 Exam tip
Lakshadweep's three most frequently asked dances are Kolkali (stick dance), Parichakali (sword and shield dance) and Lava (Minicoy). If a question mentions swords and shields in Lakshadweep, the answer is Parichakali.💬 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.