Dances MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Dances - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Chhau.

• Chau or Chhau is a semi-classical Indian dance with martial, tribal, and folk origins from Orissa, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
• There are three subtypes of this dance form:
  • Purulia Chhau - West Bengal
  • Mayurbanj Chhau - Odisha
  • Seraikella Chhau - Jharkhand

Key Points

• Chhau Dance is a popular form of tribal dance in India that incorporates elements of martial arts into its movements.
• Differences between the three are dependent on their regions of origin.
• This Dance originates in the Purulia district in West Bengal and draws inspiration from martial arts and combative training.
• This form of dance is a means to portray stories to the audience, which is why elaborate masks and headgear associated with battle and war are worn during the performance.

Additional Information

• It enacts episodes from epics including the Mahabharata and Ramayana, local folklore, and abstract themes.
• Over a century old, this dance form was widely endorsed by patrons belonging to the royal families, rich landlords, and British governors in the region.
• These performances are predominantly put up during the Gajan Festival, which takes place to honor Lord Shiva.

Important Points 

The correct answer is Kathak.

• Kathak:
  • It is the only classical dance of India having links with Islamic culture.
  • It represents a unique synthesis of Hindu and Muslim genius in art.
  • Kathak is a form of expressional dance, derived from the word Katha which means a story.

The correct answer is "Kuchipudi".Key Points

• The dance shape Kuchipudi advanced in what's now called the country of Andhra Pradesh in southern India.
• Kuchipudi derives its call from the village Kuchelapuram, which it becomes nurtured by excellent students and artists who constructed the repertoire and delicate dance technique.
• A precise piece to the Kuchipudi repertoire in which the dancer plays rhythmic sequences at the same time as dancing on the rim of a brass plate concurrently balancing a pot of water on their head.
• The word 'Tarangam' interprets to 'waves', consequently the actions supplied in a tarangam are reflective of the motion of waves of an ocean or river.
• Tarangams are offered to songs written with the aid of using Narayana Theertha from his ‘Sri Krishna Leela Tarangini’.
• This encompasses the testimonies and existence of Lord Krishna, from his early life to all his pranks, to his marriage to Rukmini.
• Performing this feat has an extra symbolic meaning.
• As said via way of means of the second president of the Indian Republic, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, in the Indian Express, ‘There is philosophical importance to the waterpot and plate.
• It is the analogy to life itself.’

Additional Information

• Manduk Shabdam:
  • A tale of the frog is accomplished withinside the Kuchipudi dance form.
  • Kuchipudi is one of the classical dances sorts of India from the nation of Andhra Pradesh.
  • This dance shape was given patronage by each of the Vijayanagara and Golconda rulers.
  • Kuchipudi dance especially depicts the ‘Earthly Elements’.
• Jala Chitra Nitrayam:
  • In this element, the dancer draws a picture on the floor with his or her toes while dancing.
• Tandava:
  • Tandava also known as Taṇḍava Natyam, is a divine dance performed by the Hindu god Shiva.
  • Shiva is depicted as dancing the Tandava in the shape of Nataraja.
  • The Natya Shastra, a Sanskrit treatise on the appearing arts describes numerous elements of the Tandava.
  • Tandava, as achieved withinside the sacred dance-drama of India, has vigorous, brisk movements.
  • Performed with joy, the dance is referred to as Ananda Tandava.
  • Performed in a violent mood, the dance is referred to as Raudra or Rudra Tandava.
  • The kinds of Tandava observed withinside the Hindu texts are Ananda Tandava, Tripura Tandava, Sandhya Tandava, Samhara Tandava, Kali (Kalika) Tandava, Uma Tandava, Shiva Tandava, Krishna Tandava and Gauri Tandava.

The correct answer is option 3 i.e Charkula.

• Charkula dance is performed in the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh.
  • This dance is performed by women who balance large multi-tiered circular wooden pyramids on their heads.
  • The pyramid has 108 lighted oil lamps. It is performed to celebrate the birthday of Radha i.e. the third day after Holi.
• Dumhal is a dance performed in Jammu and Kashmir of India by the Watal tribe. 
• Fugdi is a Maharashtra and Goan folk dance performed by the women in the Konkan region during Hindu religious festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Vrata or towards the end of other dances like Dhalo.
• Bihu is a set of three important Assamese festivals in the Indian state of Assam - Rongali or Bohag Bihu observed in April, Kongali or Kati Bihu observed in October, and Bhogali or Magh Bihu observed in January.

The correct answer is Assam.

Key Points

• Ojapali and Bihu are famous folk dances of the state of Assam.
  • Ojapali is the most distinctive folk dance of Assam, representing the rich tradition and cultural heritage of the state.
  • Bihu is a colorful folk dance celebrated to mark the arrival of spring and the Assamese new year.
• Dances of Assam: Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Maharas, Kaligopal, Bagurumba, Naga dance, Tabal Chongli, Canoe, Jhumura Hobjanai.

The correct answer is Madhya Pradesh.

• The 'Matki' dance form has been developed by nomadic tribes in Madhya Pradesh.
• Performed using a “small pitcher” is a folk dance originating from central India known as the “Matki Dance”.
  • This “pitcher dance” belongs to the state of Madhya Pradesh, and is mainly performed in the Malwa region.

Important Points

The Correct Answer is Kerala.

• Mohiniyattam literally interpreted as the dance of ‘Mohini’, the celestial enchantress of Hindu mythology, is the classical solo dance form of Kerala.

Key Points

• References to Mohiniyattam can be found in the texts Vyavaharamala written in 1709 by Mazhamagalam Narayanan Namputiri and in Ghoshayatra, written later by poet Kunjan Nambiar.
• It has elements of Bharatanatyam (grace & elegance) and Kathakali (vigor) but is more erotic, lyrical, and delicate.
• Mohiniyattam is characterized by graceful, swaying body movements with no abrupt jerks or sudden leaps.
• It belongs to the lasya style which is feminine, tender, and graceful.
• The movements are emphasized by the glides and the up and down movement on toes, like the waves of the sea and the swaying of the coconut, palm trees, and paddy fields.
• Realistic make-up and simple dressing (in Kasavu saree of Kerala) are used.

Additional Information

8 classical dance forms of India

The correct answer is Odissi.

Key Points

• Odissi is one of the 8 classical dances of India recognized by the Sangeet Natak Academy.
• Odissi is a major ancient classical dance that originated in the Indian state of Orissa.
• The famous dancers of Odissi are -
  • Sujata Mohapatra, Kelucharan Mohapatra, Ratikant Mohapatra, Gangadhar Pradhan, etc.
• Kelucharan Mohapatra is the first person to receive the Padma Vibhusan from Orissa.

Additional Information

The correct option is 1 i.e. Maharashtra.

Key Points

• Lavani is a folk dance form of Maharashtra.
• It is performed on the beats of Dholki.
• Nakata, Koli, Lezim, Gafa, Dahikala Dasavtar are some more folk dances of Maharashtra.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Manipur.

Key Points

Additional Information

• Manipur:
  • Capital: Imphal
  • Governor: Anusuiya Uikey
  • Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh
  • Keibul Lamjao National Park is a national park in the Bishnupur district of the state of Manipur in India. 
    • It is the only floating park in the world, located in North East India, and an integral part of Loktak Lake

• Manipur’s martial art form ‘Thang-Ta’ to feature at Khelo India 2021. 
• Gatka from Punjab, Kalaripayattu of Kerala and Mallakhamba, a well-known sport played in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra will also be part of the Games.

The correct answer is Kerala.

• Ottamthullal is an art form performed only in Kerala.
• The meaning of Ottamthullal is 'poor man's Kathakali'.
• Kunchan Nambiar created this dance form, as an alternative to the Chakyar koothu.
• To protest against the prevalent socio-political structure and prejudices of the society, Kunchan Nambiar used it as a medium.
• Now it is a famous folk art presented in the temples of Kerala.
• Some other dance forms of Kerala:
  • Theyyam
  • Thiruvathirakali
  • Chakyar Koothu
  • Koodiyattam
  • Kathakali(Classical)
  • Mohiniattam(Classical).

The correct answer is Andhra Pradesh.

Key Points

• The Kuchipudi dance originated in Andhra Pradesh.
• It is one of the major forms of Indian classical dance.
• It originated in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, a village called Kuchipudi.
• It is a dance-drama performance that has its roots in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra.
• It evolved like all major classical dances of India as a religious art linked to travelling bards, temples, and spiritual beliefs.
• Mridangam, cymbals, veena, flute, and tambura are the traditional musical instruments in Kuchipudi.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Jharkhand.

Key Points

• The Tusu festival is primarily observed in Assam, the Tea-producing State, Northeastern Odisha, Southwest West Bengal, and Southeast Jharkhand.
• During this occasion, the goddess Tusu is worshipped. The focus is primarily on rivers. It is a unified expression of the agrarian society's shared trust and belief in the pleasure of crop gathering.
• It is thought that the term "Tusu" derives from the word "tush" for rice bran. Both a youthful child and a cosmic deity are representations of the Goddess Tusu.
• The ceremonies carried out during the Tusu Puja center on harvest-related ceremonies and songs of ethnic dedication chanted by women folk.
• Therefore, the Tusu festival is associated with Jharkhand.

Additional Information

State-Specific Festivals of India

The correct answer is Mizoram.

Key Points

• Cheraw dance
  • Cheraw is one of the traditional and oldest dances of Mizoram. It is also recognized as the oldest dance form of Mizoram.
  • It is also known as the Bamboo dance.
  • Chewar is performed by six to eight people holding a pair of bamboo staves on another horizontally placed bamboo at the ground on special occasions such as when there is a bumper harvest of a crop. Gongs and drums are used as musical instruments in Cheraw dance.
  • It is one of the most famous dances in Mizoram, and a centre of attraction during festive occasions.
  • khuallam, Sarlamkai, Chheihlam and Mizo are other Traditional Dances of Mizoram.

Additional Information

• Mizoram
  • Capital - Aizawl
  • Chief Minister - Lalduhawma
  • Governor - Ajay Kumar Bhalla
  • State Bird - Vavu
  • State Animal - Saza
  • State Tree - Herhse
  • State Flower - Senhri
  • National Parks - Murlen National Park, Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park.

The correct answer is Mahapurusha Sankaradeva.

Key Points

• Sattriya dance
  • Satriya Nritya is the classical dance form of Assam which represents the Satriya culture, the basis of the religious and cultural fabric of Assam.
    • It is a dance-drama performance art with origins in the Krishna-centered Vaishnavism monasteries of Assam and attributed to the 15th-century Bhakti movement scholar and saint Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev.
    • Dance historian Dr. Sunil Kothari has recently been bestowed with the Madhabdev Award by the Government of Assam for popularising Sattriya dance.
    • Sattriya was given the status of classical dance in the year 2000 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Additional Information