SSC
The Gair folk dance, performed by the Bhil community, belongs to which state?
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Answer: Option B — Rajasthan
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Rajasthan. Gair (also written Ghair or Gher) is a folk dance of Rajasthan performed mainly by the Bhil community, especially in the Mewar and Marwar regions. It is performed mostly during Holi, and also on Janmashtami and other festivals.
Gair is usually performed by men, who dance in a large circle while holding wooden sticks. As they move, they strike the sticks against each other in rhythm, creating a lively, clashing sound that matches the beat of the drums. The dancers move clockwise and anticlockwise, change direction, and turn and swirl so that their long, full skirt-like garments (called angarkhis or similar robes) flare out around them. In some areas, the dancers carry swords instead of sticks, which gives the dance a martial look. The dance is accompanied by drums such as the dhol and the nagara, and by instruments such as the thali and the shehnai. In some forms, women also join the dance, and the performance can include hundreds of people.
About the other options:
- Punjab is known for Bhangra, Giddha, Luddi, Jhumar and the martial art Gatka.
- Haryana is known for Saang, Phag, Gugga, Khoria and the Haryanvi Ghoomar.
- Uttar Pradesh is known for Kathak, Charkula, Kajari, Raslila and Nautanki.
- None of these states is associated with the Gair dance of the Bhils.
The Bhil community is the largest tribal community of Rajasthan and is also found in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Besides Gair, the Bhils are associated with the origin of Ghoomar and with the Gavari dance-drama, a 40-day performance held in the Mewar region in honour of the goddess Gauri.
💡 Exam tip
Rajasthan has more folk dances in exam questions than almost any other state. Learn Gair, Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Chari, Bhavai, Gavari, Terah Taali and Kachchhi Ghodi, and link the Bhils with Gair, Ghoomar and Gavari.💬 Discussions on this question
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Ask a doubtMore Indian Dance Forms Questions
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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.