SSC
Zangtalam, Chailam and Cheraw dances belong to which state?
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Answer: Option A — Mizoram
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Mizoram. Zangtalam, Chailam and Cheraw are all traditional dances of Mizoram, a state in north-eastern India known for its rich tradition of community dances.
Cheraw is the best-known dance of Mizoram. It is called the bamboo dance, because men sitting on the ground tap long bamboo staves together in rhythm, while women dancers step nimbly in and out of the gaps between the moving bamboos. Chailam (also called Chai) is a group dance performed during the Chapchar Kut festival, in which men and women stand in a circle, with their arms linked, and dance to the beat of drums while singing traditional songs. Zangtalam is a dance of the Paite tribe of Mizoram, performed to celebrate the harvest and other joyful occasions. Other dances of Mizoram include Khuallam (the "dance of the guests", performed at community feasts), Chheih Lam (a dance of joy, in which the dancers squat in a circle and sing), Sarlamkai (a martial dance) and Tlanglam.
Mizoram has three main festivals, which are called kuts and are linked with the agricultural cycle. Chapchar Kut is held in March, after the jungle has been cleared for jhum (shifting) cultivation, and it is the most important festival of the Mizos. Mim Kut is held in August and September, after the harvest of maize, and it honours the spirits of the dead. Pawl Kut is held in December and January, after the harvest of rice, and it is a festival of thanksgiving. Many of the traditional dances are performed during these festivals.
About the other options:
- Nagaland is known for Chang Lo, Zeliang and Changai.
- Meghalaya is known for Shad Suk Mynsiem, Wangala and Laho.
- Arunachal Pradesh is known for Bardo Chham, Ponung and Rikhampada.
- None of these states is associated with this group of dances.
💡 Exam tip
Mizoram's dances are often asked as a group. Remember Cheraw (bamboo dance), Khuallam, Chheih Lam, Chailam (Chai) and Zangtalam, and the three kuts: Chapchar, Mim and Pawl.💬 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.