SSC
'Waghya Murali', a devotional dance tradition associated with Lord Khandoba, originated in which state?
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Answer: Option B — Maharashtra
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Maharashtra. Waghya Murali is a devotional tradition of Maharashtra, linked with Lord Khandoba, a popular folk deity of the Deccan who is regarded as a form of Lord Shiva. The main temple of Khandoba is at Jejuri, near Pune, which is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra.
In the Waghya Murali tradition, devotees are dedicated to the service of Khandoba. The male devotees are called waghyas, and the female devotees are called muralis. They sing songs in praise of Khandoba and dance during religious festivals and ceremonies, especially at the temple of Jejuri and at the homes of devotees. The waghyas play instruments such as the tuntune (a one-stringed instrument) and the dimdi (a small drum), and the muralis dance and sing. The songs describe the stories of Khandoba, his marriages to Mhalsa and Banai, and his battles against demons. The dancing and singing are a form of worship, and they create a joyful and devotional atmosphere. At Jejuri, devotees throw turmeric powder (bhandara) in the air during celebrations, so that the whole temple and town turn golden yellow. The tradition of dedicating young girls as muralis has been criticised and was banned by law because it led to exploitation, but the songs and dances of Khandoba remain an important part of Maharashtra's folk culture.
About the other options:
- Gujarat is known for Garba, Dandiya Raas and Tippani.
- Odisha is known for Odissi, Gotipua and Dalkhai.
- Punjab is known for Bhangra, Giddha and Gatka.
- None of these is associated with Waghya Murali or Lord Khandoba.
Maharashtra's other folk arts include Lavani, Tamasha, Powada, Koli, Dhangari Gaja, Gondhal (a devotional performance in honour of the goddess Bhavani), Bharud (devotional songs of the saint Eknath) and Songi Mukhawate (a masked dance).
💡 Exam tip
Link Waghya Murali with Lord Khandoba, Jejuri and Maharashtra. It is often listed together with Lavani, Powada, Koli and Dhangari Gaja as the folk arts of Maharashtra.💬 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.