SSC
Rangabati, a popular folk dance performed to a famous Sambalpuri folk song, belongs to which state?
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Answer: Option C — Odisha
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Odisha. Rangabati is a folk dance of western Odisha, performed to the famous Sambalpuri folk song of the same name. The song "Rangabati", sung by Jitendra Haripal and Krishna Patel in the 1970s, became one of the most popular folk songs in the history of Odisha, and the dance performed to it is now a regular feature of weddings, festivals and cultural programmes.
The song and dance belong to the Sambalpuri culture of western Odisha, which centres on the region around Sambalpur, Bargarh, Balangir and Kalahandi. Sambalpuri culture has its own dialect (Sambalpuri or Kosli), its own music and dance forms, and its own textiles, such as the famous Sambalpuri ikat sarees. The Rangabati song is a playful and romantic song, and the dance performed to it is lively and joyful, with men and women dancing in groups to the beat of traditional instruments such as the dhol, nisan, tasha and the mahuri (a wind instrument). Rangabati became so popular that it is often called the anthem of western Odisha, and it has been sung and performed at many national and international events.
Western Odisha has many other well-known folk dances. Dalkhai is a dance performed by women during the Dussehra festival, in honour of the goddess Dalkhai. Ghumura is a dance of the Kalahandi district, performed with a large earthen drum hung around the neck. Karma is performed during the Karam festival. Rasarkeli and Jaiphula are other folk dances of the region. The classical dance of the state is Odissi.
About the other options:
- West Bengal is known for Gambhira, Purulia Chhau and Dhunuchi Naach.
- Jharkhand is known for Chhau of Seraikela, Paika and Jhumar.
- Chhattisgarh is known for Panthi, Raut Nacha and Suwa.
- None of these is associated with Rangabati.
💡 Exam tip
Rangabati is linked with Odisha and the Sambalpuri culture of the western part of the state. Dalkhai and Ghumura are other frequently asked dances of western Odisha.💬 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.