SSC
'Rathwa ni Gher', a dance performed on the occasion of Holi, is performed by the Rathwa tribe of which state?
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Answer: Option C — Gujarat
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Gujarat. Rathwa ni Gher is a folk dance of the Rathwa tribe of Gujarat. The Rathwas live mainly in the Chhota Udaipur district in the eastern part of Gujarat, near the border with Madhya Pradesh. The dance is performed during the festival of Holi, which is one of the most important festivals for the Rathwa community, and it continues for several days after Holi.
In the Rathwa ni Gher dance, the dancers, mostly men, wear colourful costumes and decorate their bodies with white dots and patterns, sometimes painting themselves to look like animals or warriors. Many wear tall headgear decorated with peacock feathers and carry bows, arrows, swords or sticks. The dancers move in large groups, with energetic, rhythmic steps, to the beat of large drums (dhol), the music of flutes and the sound of bells tied to their bodies. They often form human pyramids and perform acrobatic feats. The dance is a celebration of the arrival of spring, the harvest and the joy of Holi, and it is an important part of the cultural identity of the Rathwa people. The Rathwas are also known for Pithora painting, a ritual painting made on the walls of houses to honour their deity Baba Pithora, which is believed to bring peace, prosperity and happiness.
Gujarat has many tribal and folk dances, including Garba and Dandiya Raas (performed during Navratri), Tippani (of the Chorwad region), Padhar (of the Padhar community near Nal Sarovar), Siddi Dhamal (of the Siddi community), Hudo (of the Bharwad shepherds) and Dangi Nritya (of the tribal people of the Dang district).
About the other options:
- Maharashtra is known for Lavani, Koli and Tamasha.
- Odisha is known for Odissi, Gotipua and Dalkhai.
- Bihar is known for Jat-Jatin, Jhijhiya and Bidesia.
- None of these is associated with the Rathwa tribe.
💡 Exam tip
Link the Rathwa tribe with Gujarat, the Gher dance at Holi and Pithora painting. Questions on tribal dances often name the tribe and ask for the state.💬 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.