๐ Chapter 06 ยท PYQs ยท Classical Dance
Classical Dance Forms โ Previous Year Questions
UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year questions on classical dance with detailed answers.
With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements: (1) Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama. (2) It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam. (3) It is performed only during festive occasions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A) 1 only
- B) 1 and 2 only
- C) 2 and 3 only
- D) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: B โ Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Sattriya combines music, dance and drama, and is a living Vaishnavite tradition of Assam. Statement 3 is incorrect โ it is performed as part of daily religious practice in Satras, not only during festive occasions.
Consider the following pairs: (1) Bharatanatyam โ Tamil Nadu (2) Mohiniyattam โ Kerala (3) Sattriya โ Assam. Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- A) 1 and 2 only
- B) 2 and 3 only
- C) 1 and 3 only
- D) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: D โ All three pairs are correctly matched. Bharatanatyam is from Tamil Nadu, Mohiniyattam from Kerala, and Sattriya from Assam.
Kuchipudi classical dance originated in which district of Andhra Pradesh?
- A) Guntur
- B) Krishna
- C) East Godavari
- D) Nellore
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Answer: B โ Kuchipudi originated in the village of Kuchipudi (Kuchelapuram) in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.
With reference to Kathak dance, which of the following statements is correct?
- A) It originated in South India
- B) It has no connection with Mughal court culture
- C) It developed in North India and was influenced by Mughal court culture
- D) It uses the mridangam as its primary percussion instrument
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Answer: C โ Kathak developed in North India and was significantly influenced by Mughal court culture, particularly under the Nawabs of Awadh. The tabla (not mridangam) is its primary percussion instrument.
The Mahari tradition is associated with which classical dance?
- A) Bharatanatyam
- B) Kuchipudi
- C) Odissi
- D) Manipuri
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Answer: C โ The Mahari tradition refers to the temple dancers (devadasis) dedicated to Lord Jagannath at Puri, Odisha. It is one of the three traditional streams of Odissi dance.
The Ras Leela dance form is associated with which state?
- A) Assam
- B) Manipur
- C) Odisha
- D) Kerala
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Answer: B โ Ras Leela is the most famous form of Manipuri dance, depicting Krishna’s divine dance with the Gopis. It is performed during festivals, especially Ras Purnima.
Which classical dance is known for its elaborate makeup system called “Chutti”?
- A) Mohiniyattam
- B) Manipuri
- C) Kathakali
- D) Sattriya
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Answer: C โ Kathakali is famous for its elaborate makeup system called Chutti, which uses natural pigments to transform performers into mythological characters.
The Natya Shastra, the foundational text of Indian classical dance and drama, was authored by:
- A) Kalidasa
- B) Bharata Muni
- C) Abhinavagupta
- D) Vatsyayana
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Answer: B โ The Natya Shastra was authored by Bharata Muni (approximately 2nd century BCE to 2nd century CE). It is the foundational text of Indian classical performing arts, covering dance, music, and drama.
Birju Maharaj was associated with which gharana of Kathak?
- A) Jaipur gharana
- B) Lucknow gharana
- C) Banaras gharana
- D) Raigarh gharana
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Answer: B โ Pandit Birju Maharaj belonged to the Lucknow gharana of Kathak. He was the grandson of Bindadin Maharaj and was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1986.
Which of the following classical dances does NOT have ankle bells (ghungroos) as part of its performance?
- A) Bharatanatyam
- B) Kathak
- C) Manipuri
- D) Kuchipudi
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Answer: C โ Manipuri is the only classical dance that does not use ankle bells (ghungroos). The movements are gentle and the feet do not stamp the ground, so bells are not needed.