Rouf (Rauf), a folk dance performed by women in rows, belongs to which region?

The correct answer is Jammu and Kashmir. Rouf (also spelt Rauf or Rof) is a traditional folk dance of the Kashmir valley, performed by women. It is one of the most popular and graceful dances of Kashmir.

In the Rouf dance, the women form two rows facing each other, with their arms around each other's waists or shoulders. They move forwards and backwards in the rows, with gentle, rhythmic steps, mainly using the movements of the feet, while singing folk songs in Kashmiri. The two rows sing in turn, one row answering the other, in a style similar to a question-and-answer dialogue. The songs are often about love, nature, the seasons, spirituality and religious themes, and some are based on the poetry of famous Kashmiri poets, such as Habba Khatoon, the 16th century poet-queen of Kashmir. Rouf is performed especially during festivals such as Eid and Ramzan, and during the harvest season and the spring, as well as at weddings and other celebrations. The women wear the traditional Kashmiri dress, the pheran, along with headscarves and ornaments.

Jammu and Kashmir has other well-known folk performing arts. Dumhal is a dance performed by men of the Wattal community, who wear long, colourful robes and tall conical caps and dance around a banner. Bhand Pather is a traditional folk theatre of Kashmir that combines satire, music and acting. Hikat is a dance performed by young boys and girls in pairs. Kud is a ritual dance of the Jammu region, performed at night in honour of the local deities.

About the other options:

• Himachal Pradesh is known for Nati, Dangi and Jhali.
• Punjab is known for Bhangra, Giddha and Luddi.
• Uttarakhand is known for Choliya, Jhora and Hurka Baul.
• None of these is associated with Rouf.