SSC
Which dance is performed by devotees during the worship of Murugan, the Hindu god of war?
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Answer: Option B — Kavadi Attam
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Kavadi Attam. Kavadi Attam ("kavadi dance") is a dance of devotion performed by devotees of Lord Murugan (also called Kartikeya, Subrahmanya and Skanda), the Hindu god of war and the son of Shiva and Parvati. It is especially popular in Tamil Nadu and among Tamil communities around the world, such as in Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
The kavadi is a decorated arch or structure, usually made of wood or bamboo, which is decorated with peacock feathers (the peacock is the vehicle of Murugan), flowers and coloured paper. The devotee carries the kavadi on his shoulders and dances as he walks in a procession to a temple of Murugan, often as the fulfilment of a vow. Some devotees carry pots of milk tied to the ends of the kavadi, which are offered to the deity at the temple. Others perform acts of penance, such as piercing the tongue, cheeks or body with small spears (vel) or hooks. The dance is accompanied by the beat of drums and the singing of devotional songs. Kavadi Attam is performed especially during the festival of Thaipusam, held in the Tamil month of Thai (January and February). The most famous Thaipusam pilgrimages in Tamil Nadu are held at Palani, one of the six main temples (Arupadai Veedu) of Murugan.
About the other options:
Karagattam is a folk dance of Tamil Nadu in which the dancers balance a decorated pot on their heads, in honour of the goddess Mariamman.
Mayilattam is the "peacock dance" of Tamil Nadu, in which the dancers dress as peacocks. It is also performed in honour of Murugan, but it is not the kavadi-bearing dance of worship.
Kummi is a dance of women who clap their hands in a circle while singing.
💡 Exam tip
Link Kavadi Attam with Lord Murugan, the Thaipusam festival and the Palani temple. Karagattam (Mariamman) and Mayilattam (peacock dance) are other Tamil Nadu dances that are often asked.💬 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.