SSC
Which folk dance depicts the anguish of women whose partners have gone away from home?
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Answer: Option A — Biraha
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Biraha. Biraha (also spelt Birha or Viraha) is a folk song and dance tradition of the Bhojpuri-speaking regions of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The word "biraha" or "viraha" means separation, and the songs and dances express the pain and longing of women whose husbands or lovers have gone away from home.
Exam books on general knowledge list Biraha among the folk dances of Bihar and describe it as a dance of women's longing. The word is also the name of a well-known Bhojpuri folk song genre, called Birha, which is traditionally sung by men. In the past, many men from the villages of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh migrated to distant cities, such as Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi, or even to other countries, such as Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad and Suriname, in search of work. They were often away from home for months or years, and the women left behind faced loneliness, hardship and uncertainty. The Biraha songs and dances express these feelings, describing the waiting, the longing, the memories of the beloved and the hope for his return. The theme of separation (viraha) is also very important in Indian classical poetry, music and dance, where it is often expressed through the story of Radha's longing for Krishna. A related tradition is Bidesia, a form of folk theatre created by Bhikhari Thakur, known as the "Shakespeare of Bhojpuri", which tells the stories of migrant workers and the families they leave behind.
About the other options:
- Bhangra is a vigorous harvest dance of Punjab, performed mainly by men.
- Garba is a circular dance of Gujarat performed during Navratri.
- Bihu is the folk dance of Assam performed during the Bihu festivals.
- None of these is mainly about the anguish of separation.
Bihar's other folk dances include Jat-Jatin (the story of a separated married couple), Jhijhiya (performed by women to pray for rain), Kajari (sung in the monsoon), Domkach (performed at weddings) and Jharni (performed during Muharram).
💡 Exam tip
Link Biraha with the theme of separation (viraha) and with Bihar and the Bhojpuri region. Bidesia, created by Bhikhari Thakur, is a related folk theatre.💬 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.