SSC
The Tapu dance, a war dance performed by the Adi tribe, belongs to which state?
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Answer: Option A — Arunachal Pradesh
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Arunachal Pradesh. Tapu is a war dance of the Adi tribe, one of the largest tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh, who live mainly in the Siang valley, in districts such as East Siang, West Siang and Upper Siang. The dance is performed by men and recreates the events of a battle, including the preparation for war, the actual fighting and the celebration of victory.
In the Tapu dance, the performers carry swords and shields and wear traditional war costumes, cane helmets and ornaments. They shout war cries and move with powerful, energetic steps to the beat of drums. In the past, such dances were performed before and after battles between villages. Today, Tapu is performed at festivals and cultural events as a way to remember the valour of the ancestors. The Adi tribe also performs Ponung, a dance by women during the Solung festival, which is the most important agricultural festival of the Adis and is held in September. Another important Adi festival is Aran, a hunting festival celebrated in March.
About the other options:
- Nagaland is known for dances such as Chang Lo of the Chang tribe, Zeliang, Changai and the war dances of the Angami and Konyak tribes.
- Assam is known for Bihu, Sattriya, Bagurumba and Jhumur.
- Mizoram is known for Cheraw (the bamboo dance), Khuallam and Chheih Lam.
- Although Naga tribes also have war dances, the Tapu dance is specifically linked to the Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh.
💡 Exam tip
Link the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh with their dances: the Adi with Tapu (war dance) and Ponung (Solung festival), the Nyishi with Rikhampada, the Monpa with Aji Lamu and the Yak dance, the Sherdukpen with Bardo Chham, and the Galo with Popir. Questions may name either the tribe or 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.