Indian Dance Forms Questions with Solutions
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.
- Q1.
The techniques of Rasa and Bhava used in Indian classical dance trace their origin to which ancient text?
A. Bharata Muni's NatyashastraB. Sarngadeva's Sangita RatnakaraC. Nandikeshvara's Abhinaya DarpanaD. Jayadeva's Gita GovindaeasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q2.
Lavani, Powada, Koli, Waghya Murali and Dhangari Gaja are folk dances of which state?
A. MaharashtraB. KarnatakaC. GujaratD. RajasthaneasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q3.
Manipuri dance is based on the Rasleela themes of:
A. Shiva and ParvatiB. Radha and KrishnaC. Vishnu and LakshmiD. Rama and SitaeasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q4.
Thullal, a solo dance and recitation art form, originated in which state?
A. Andhra PradeshB. KeralaC. Tamil NaduD. KarnatakaeasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q5.
Bharatanatyam is traditionally performed to which system of music?
A. Carnatic musicB. Rabindra SangeetC. Sopana SangeethamD. Hindustani musiceasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q6.
The Songi Mukhawate dance of Maharashtra depicts Narasimha, who is an incarnation of which deity?
A. Lord VishnuB. Lord ShivaC. Lord BrahmaD. Lord GaneshaeasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q7.
In Indian classical dance, the soft and graceful style that is considered suitable for female presentation is known as:
A. TandavaB. LasyaC. NrittaD. AbhinayaeasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q8.
The two basic aspects of Indian classical dance are:
A. Raga and TalaB. Lasya and TandavaC. Angika and VachikaD. Mudra and HastaeasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q9.
The word 'Kathak' is derived from 'Katha', which means:
A. SwordB. TempleC. StickD. StoryeasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q10.
The technique of Indian classical dance was first codified in the Natyashastra by:
A. AbhinavaguptaB. Bharata MuniC. PaniniD. NandikeshvaraeasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q11.
Kalbelia, also known as the snake charmer dance, is a famous folk dance of which state?
A. RajasthanB. GujaratC. Madhya PradeshD. HaryanaeasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q12.
Kathak is associated with which system of Indian classical music?
A. Odissi musicB. Carnatic classical musicC. Hindustani classical musicD. Sopana SangeethameasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q13.
Dollu Kunitha and Bhoota Kola are traditional performing arts associated with which state?
A. Andhra PradeshB. KarnatakaC. Tamil NaduD. KeralaeasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q14.
Garba, Dandiya Raas and Tippani are popular folk dances of which state?
A. RajasthanB. GujaratC. PunjabD. MaharashtraeasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q15.
Jagoi and Thabal Chongba are famous dances of which state?
A. ManipurB. MizoramC. SikkimD. AssameasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q16.
The bamboo dance of Mizoram is called:
A. ChaiB. Chheih LamC. CherawD. KhuallameasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q17.
Which classical dance features elaborately painted faces, large skirts, heavy jackets, lots of jewellery and tall headdresses?
A. OdissiB. MohiniyattamC. KuchipudiD. KathakalieasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q18.
In which dance do the dancers form a counter-clockwise circle, often with concentric circles moving in opposite directions?
A. GarbaB. BihuC. LavaniD. BhangraeasyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q19.
How many Indian classical dance forms have been recognised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi?
A. 8B. 11C. 6D. 7easyAsked in SSCView solution › - Q20.
Fugdi, a folk dance performed by women, mainly during Ganesh Chaturthi and in the month of Bhadrapad, belongs to which state?
A. KeralaB. KarnatakaC. GoaD. GujarateasyAsked in SSCView solution ›