Indian Dance Forms Questions with Solutions

253 questions59 easy137 medium57 hard

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.

  1. Q1.

    The Dandari-Gussadi festival and dance of Telangana are celebrated by which tribes?

    A. Bhils and MeenasB. Todas and KotasC. Raj Gonds and KolamsD. Santhals and Mundas
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  2. Q2.

    Temple dancing, from which Bharatanatyam later emerged, was banned by the British government in the year:

    A. 1885B. 1857C. 1910D. 1935
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  3. Q3.

    In Maharashtra, the victory of truth over falsehood is celebrated through which masked dance?

    A. KoliB. TamashaC. Songi MukhawateD. Lavani
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  4. Q4.

    Chali, Jhumura and Nadu Bhangi are forms of which classical dance?

    A. OdissiB. KuchipudiC. SattriyaD. Manipuri
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  5. Q5.

    The Ghurehi folk dance, performed by women, belongs to which state?

    A. PunjabB. UttarakhandC. Jammu and KashmirD. Himachal Pradesh
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  6. Q6.

    'Gonph' (Goff), a dance performed with braided coloured ropes, is a famous folk dance of which state?

    A. MaharashtraB. KeralaC. KarnatakaD. Goa
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  7. Q7.

    Agni, Mardana Jhumar and Phagua dances are associated with which state?

    A. AssamB. OdishaC. JharkhandD. Chhattisgarh
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  8. Q8.

    Zo Mal Lok, a dance depicting the stages of paddy cultivation, is associated with which state?

    A. MeghalayaB. Arunachal PradeshC. TripuraD. Sikkim
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  9. Q9.

    The classical text 'Hastalakshana Deepika' is related to which dance?

    A. KuchipudiB. OdissiC. BharatanatyamD. Kathakali
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  10. Q10.

    How many basic hand gestures (mudras) used in Mohiniyattam are mainly adopted from the text Hastalakshana Deepika?

    A. 28B. 9C. 108D. 24
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  11. Q11.

    Gavari, a dance-drama performed for about 40 days, is mainly performed in which state?

    A. RajasthanB. MaharashtraC. GujaratD. Madhya Pradesh
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  12. Q12.

    According to tradition, Bharatanatyam evolved from which ancient solo dance style?

    A. YakshaganaB. KrishnanattamC. Ekaharya LasyangaD. Ankiya Nat
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  13. Q13.

    The Ras Leela of Manipur was first staged as a dance form in 1779 by which Meitei king?

    A. Garib NiwazB. Churachand SinghC. Gambhir SinghD. Bhagyachandra
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  14. Q14.

    Danda Nata (Danda Nacha), a ritual dance form of Odisha, is mainly dedicated to:

    A. Lord KrishnaB. Lord RamaC. Lord GaneshaD. Lord Shiva
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  15. Q15.

    Which dance form of Nagaland, performed by the Kuki tribe, was traditionally performed as preparation for a hunting expedition?

    A. HojagiriB. Sadal KekaiC. Bardo ChhamD. Cheraw
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  16. Q16.

    Daskathia, a traditional folk narrative art form performed with wooden clappers, belongs to which state?

    A. BiharB. OdishaC. JharkhandD. West Bengal
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  17. Q17.

    'Kalasam' is a dance sequence (pure dance passage) in which classical dance?

    A. KathakaliB. SattriyaC. BharatanatyamD. Kuchipudi
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  18. Q18.

    Zangtalam (Zang Talam), a popular dance of Mizoram, is performed by which tribe?

    A. PaiteB. AdiC. ReangD. Garo
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  19. Q19.

    Kathakali took shape in Kerala in the 17th century under the patronage of which ruler?

    A. The Prince of KottarakkaraB. The Zamorin of CalicutC. The Maharaja of MysoreD. The Nizam of Hyderabad
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
  20. Q20.

    Which folk dance of West Bengal is traditionally performed by women after recovering from smallpox or after a wish has been fulfilled?

    A. JatraB. GambhiraC. Brita danceD. Dhunuchi Naach
    hardAsked in SSCView solution ›
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