SSC
Vazhuvoor, Pandanallur and Thanjavur are styles (banis) of which classical dance?
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Answer: Option B — Bharatanatyam
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Bharatanatyam. In Bharatanatyam, a style or school is called a bani. Different banis developed in different places and families, under different gurus (nattuvanars), and each has its own features in footwork, posture, expression and choice of compositions. Most of the banis are named after villages or towns of Tamil Nadu where their founding gurus lived.
The Pandanallur bani is named after the village of Pandanallur, near Kumbakonam. It is linked with the great nattuvanar Meenakshisundaram Pillai (1869-1954), a descendant of the Tanjore Quartet, who taught Rukmini Devi Arundale and many other dancers. It is known for its geometric precision, clean lines and restrained, dignified expression. The Vazhuvoor bani is named after the village of Vazhuvoor, near Mayiladuthurai. It is linked with Vazhuvoor B. Ramaiah Pillai (1910-1991), who taught many famous dancers, including film stars such as Vyjayanthimala and Kamala Lakshman. It is known for its graceful, flowing movements, its lyrical quality and its expressive abhinaya. The Thanjavur bani is linked to the Tanjore Quartet, the four brothers who organised the Bharatanatyam recital in the 19th century at the court of Thanjavur. Other well-known banis include the Kalakshetra style (developed by Rukmini Devi Arundale), the Mysore style and the Melattur style.
About the other options:
- Mohiniyattam is the classical dance of Kerala, performed by women in the lasya style.
- Kuchipudi is the classical dance of Andhra Pradesh, linked with Siddhendra Yogi.
- Kathakali is the dance-drama of Kerala, which has its own styles, called sampradayams, such as the Kalluvazhi chitta.
- None of these has banis called Vazhuvoor, Pandanallur or Thanjavur.
💡 Exam tip
Bharatanatyam banis are often asked in SSC exams. Remember Pandanallur (Meenakshisundaram Pillai), Vazhuvoor (Ramaiah Pillai), Thanjavur (the Tanjore Quartet) and Kalakshetra (Rukmini Devi Arundale).💬 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.