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.
- Q61.
In which year was Chhau dance inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity?
A. 2008B. 2016C. 2012D. 2010mediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q62.
Which freestyle dance of Bengal is performed with clay pots filled with burning incense, especially during Durga Puja?
A. GambhiraB. Purulia ChhauC. Brita danceD. Dhunuchi NaachmediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q63.
The ancient dance teachers or gurus of Bharatanatyam are popularly known as:
A. NattuvanarsB. MaharisC. BhagavatarsD. ChakyarsmediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q64.
Veedhi Bhagavatam, a form of street theatre, is a famous dance-drama form of which state?
A. KarnatakaB. Andhra PradeshC. KeralaD. OdishamediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q65.
The Mayurbhanj style of Chhau dance is performed in which state?
A. BiharB. West BengalC. OdishaD. JharkhandmediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q66.
In Kathak, the competitive and playful exchange between the dancer and the tabla player is known as:
A. ChakkarB. TatkarC. ThaatD. JugalbandimediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q67.
Mudiyettu, a ritual dance-drama of Kerala, is based on the mythological tale of a battle between:
A. Goddess Durga and the demon MahishasuraB. Goddess Kali and the demon DarikaC. Lord Rama and RavanaD. Lord Krishna and KamsamediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q68.
In Mohiniyattam, the songs are customarily in which language?
A. TamilB. Sanskrit onlyC. KannadaD. ManipravalammediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q69.
The dance movement characterised by bent legs (half-sitting posture), while the feet keep the rhythm, is a key feature of which dance?
A. BharatanatyamB. BhangraC. KathakD. ManipurimediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q70.
Bharatanatyam expresses South Indian religious themes and the spiritual ideas mainly of:
A. JainismB. ShaivismC. BuddhismD. SikhismmediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q71.
The Changai dance, performed by the Chang tribe, is associated with which state?
A. Arunachal PradeshB. ManipurC. MizoramD. NagalandmediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q72.
Bhavai, also known as Vesha or Swang, is a popular folk theatre form of which state?
A. KarnatakaB. PunjabC. GujaratD. MaharashtramediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q73.
Paika, Ghumura and Dhap are folk dances of which state?
A. AssamB. OdishaC. BiharD. GujaratmediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q74.
Kajari, a folk song and dance form sung especially during the rainy season, originated in which state?
A. PunjabB. GujaratC. Uttar PradeshD. RajasthanmediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q75.
Vazhuvoor, Pandanallur and Thanjavur are styles (banis) of which classical dance?
A. KuchipudiB. BharatanatyamC. KathakaliD. MohiniyattammediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q76.
The Bhortal dance, performed with large cymbals, is famous in which state?
A. AssamB. TripuraC. West BengalD. OdishamediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q77.
The Joenpa Legso, a welcome dance, belongs to which country?
A. BhutanB. NepalC. MyanmarD. Sri LankamediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q78.
Mati Akhora, a set of basic exercises, is associated with which classical dance?
A. KathakaliB. OdissiC. ManipuriD. SattriyamediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q79.
The play 'Nalacharitham', written by Unnayi Warrier, is associated with which classical dance-drama?
A. MohiniyattamB. OdissiC. KathakaliD. KuchipudimediumAsked in SSCView solution › - Q80.
Mangalacharan, Sthayee, Pallavi, Abhinaya and Moksha are items of which classical dance?
A. OdissiB. BharatanatyamC. KuchipudiD. KathakmediumAsked in SSCView solution ›