General Awareness ยท Civics Polity

Dance Forms and Traditions

5,849 Questions

Indian dance forms encompass a rich variety of classical and folk traditions with unique gestures, expressions, and historical significance. Questions on these dance forms frequently appear in the general awareness sections of competitive exams. This hub provides practice questions covering classical styles like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Mohiniyattam, and various regional folk dances.

Classical Dance FormsFolk DancesFamous DancersBharatanatyamKathakMohiniyattamYakshagana

Dance Forms and Traditions Questions

Multiple choice

What is the name of the opening section of a Bharatanatyam performance?

  1. Alarippu

  2. Jatiswaram

  3. Varnam

  4. Padam
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Alarippu is the opening section of a Bharatanatyam performance, which typically consists of a series of basic movements.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of Bharatanatyam dance?

  1. Marga

  2. Desi

  3. Nritta

  4. Nritya
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Nritta is not a type of Bharatanatyam dance, but rather a general term for pure dance.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the concluding section of a Bharatanatyam performance?

  1. Tillana

  2. Mangalam

  3. Shlokam

  4. Padam
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Mangalam is the concluding section of a Bharatanatyam performance, which typically consists of a prayer or blessing.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common instrument used in Bharatanatyam music?

  1. Veena

  2. Mridangam

  3. Tabla

  4. Flute
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Tabla is not a common instrument used in Bharatanatyam music.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common type of Bharatanatyam hand gesture?

  1. Hasta mudra

  2. Pada mudra

  3. Anga mudra

  4. Shirobheda mudra
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Shirobheda mudra is not a common type of Bharatanatyam hand gesture.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional footwork technique used in Bharatanatyam?

  1. Adavus

  2. Jatis

  3. Varnams

  4. Padams
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Adavus is the traditional footwork technique used in Bharatanatyam.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common type of Bharatanatyam eye movement?

  1. Drishti

  2. Bhava

  3. Rasa

  4. Tala
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Tala is not a common type of Bharatanatyam eye movement.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional head movement technique used in Bharatanatyam?

  1. Shirobheda

  2. Pada bheda

  3. Anga bheda

  4. Hasta bheda
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Shirobheda is the traditional head movement technique used in Bharatanatyam.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common type of Bharatanatyam body movement?

  1. Aramandi

  2. Mandala

  3. Tribhanga

  4. Chaturanga
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Chaturanga is not a common type of Bharatanatyam body movement.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the traditional Bengali mask dance?

  1. Chhau

  2. Kathakali

  3. Bharatanatyam

  4. Odissi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Chhau is a traditional Bengali mask dance that is performed during festivals and special occasions. It is known for its energetic movements and colorful masks.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a prominent form of Indian dance criticism?

  1. Natya Shastra

  2. Abhinavabharati

  3. Sangeet Natak

  4. Kathakali
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Abhinavabharati is a prominent form of Indian dance criticism that was developed by the renowned scholar and critic Abhinavagupta. It is a commentary on Bharata Muni's 'Natya Shastra' and provides a detailed analysis of the various aspects of dance.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a prominent Indian dance critic and scholar?

  1. Kapila Vatsyayan

  2. Sudha Gupta

  3. Shanta Serbjeet Singh

  4. Yamini Krishnamurthy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Kapila Vatsyayan is a prominent Indian dance critic and scholar who has made significant contributions to the field of dance criticism. She has written extensively about Indian dance and its various forms, and has also served as the Director of the National School of Drama in New Delhi.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a prominent Indian dance critic and scholar who has written extensively about Bharatanatyam?

  1. Kapila Vatsyayan

  2. Sudha Gupta

  3. Shanta Serbjeet Singh

  4. Yamini Krishnamurthy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Shanta Serbjeet Singh is a prominent Indian dance critic and scholar who has written extensively about Bharatanatyam. She is known for her insightful analysis of the dance form and her contributions to the field of dance criticism.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a prominent Indian dance critic and scholar who has written extensively about Kathak?

  1. Kapila Vatsyayan

  2. Sudha Gupta

  3. Shanta Serbjeet Singh

  4. Yamini Krishnamurthy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Sudha Gupta is a prominent Indian dance critic and scholar who has written extensively about Kathak. She is known for her insightful analysis of the dance form and her contributions to the field of dance criticism.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe a duet performance between Kathak and Bharatanatyam dancers?

  1. Jugalbandi

  2. Samvad

  3. Nritya Sangam

  4. Natyashastra
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Jugalbandi is a term used to describe a duet performance between two dancers from different classical dance forms. In the context of Kathak and Bharatanatyam, a jugalbandi would involve a Kathak dancer and a Bharatanatyam dancer performing together, showcasing their respective styles and techniques.