Classical Dances — Set 3

Correct Answer: D. Odissi

• **Odissi** = The 'Moksha' in this dance form is the concluding item, signifying spiritual liberation, and is equivalent to Bharatanatyam's 'Tillana'. • **Spiritual liberation** — 'Moksha' symbolizes the ultimate artistic and spiritual freedom attained at the climax of an Odissi performance. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Kathak]: Kathak's concluding pieces vary and are not specifically termed 'Moksha' or 'Tillana'; [Mohiniyattam]: Mohiniyattam has its own repertoire and does not feature a 'Moksha' as its concluding piece; [Sattriya]: Sattriya's performance structure includes different concluding elements, not explicitly 'Moksha'.

Correct Answer: B. Kathakali

• **Kathakali** = This elaborate dance-drama extensively uses techniques from 'Kalaripayattu', a martial art, in its demanding training and powerful choreography. • **Kerala's martial art** — Elements of Kalaripayattu are integrated into Kathakali training to develop the dancers' flexibility, strength, and stamina for its vigorous movements. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Mohiniyattam]: Mohiniyattam emphasizes fluid, gentle movements, not the martial techniques of Kalaripayattu; [Kuchipudi]: Kuchipudi focuses on drama, song, and dance, without direct incorporation of Kalaripayattu; [Bharatanatyam]: Bharatanatyam's training is rigorous but based on its own classical pedagogy, not Kalaripayattu.

Correct Answer: A. Kathak

• **Kathak** = The 'Gungun' (ghungroos) or small bells are an indispensable part of the costume in this North Indian classical dance, central to its rhythmic footwork. • **Mughal emperors** — Kathak evolved in the courts of the Mughal emperors, where the use of ghungroos became crucial for rhythmic expression and storytelling. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Sattriya]: Sattriya does not prominently feature ghungroos as a central part of its costume or rhythmic expression; [Odissi]: Odissi dancers use some bells, but they are not as central to its rhythmic vocabulary as in Kathak; [Manipuri]: Manipuri dance discourages sharp foot thumping, and thus ghungroos are not used in its traditional form.

Correct Answer: C. Kuchipudi

• **Kuchipudi** = This classical dance form is historically linked to the 'Vilasini Natyam' tradition, performed by female temple dancers. • **Female temple dancers** — The 'Vilasini Natyam' tradition, performed by these dancers, influenced Kuchipudi's development, especially its dramatic storytelling. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Sattriya]: Sattriya has its own unique monastic origins in Assam and is not associated with Vilasini Natyam; [Bharatanatyam]: Bharatanatyam originated from the Sadir dance of Devadasis, a different tradition from Vilasini Natyam; [Odissi]: Odissi evolved from temple dance traditions in Odisha but is distinct from Vilasini Natyam.

Correct Answer: A. All classical dances

• **All classical dances** = All recognized classical dance forms adhere to the principles of 'Vibhava', 'Anubhava', and 'Vyabhichari' bhava as foundational elements of expression according to the Natya Shastra. • **Eight recognized Indian classical dances** — These core concepts of emotions (bhava) and their expressions form the theoretical basis for all eight classical dance traditions. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Only Odissi]: This is incorrect because these principles are universal to all classical Indian dance forms; [Bharatanatyam]: While Bharatanatyam strictly follows these principles, it is not the *only* dance form to do so; [Only Kathakali]: This is incorrect as 'Vibhava', 'Anubhava', and 'Vyabhichari' bhava are fundamental to the expressive aspect of all classical dances, not just Kathakali.

Correct Answer: C. 15th Century

• **15th Century** = The 'Sattra' system, which served as a monastic institution for the preservation and development of Sattriya dance, was established in this century. • **Srimanta Sankardev** — This great Assamese saint and reformer founded the Sattra institutions in the **15th-16th century**, providing a protective environment for the arts. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [10th Century]: This period is too early for the establishment of the Sattra system; [20th Century]: The 20th century saw the dance emerge from the monasteries and gain classical status, not its establishment; [18th Century]: The Sattra system was already well-established by the 18th century, having been founded much earlier.

Correct Answer: D. Bharatanatyam

• **Bharatanatyam** = The 'Mridangam', a double-sided drum, serves as the primary percussion instrument, dictating the complex rhythmic patterns of this classical dance. • **Carnatic music** — The Mridangam is central to Carnatic music, the melodic and rhythmic foundation upon which Bharatanatyam is performed. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Manipuri]: Manipuri primarily uses the Manipuri 'Pung' (drum) or 'Mridanga', distinct in style and construction; [Kathak]: Kathak largely uses the 'Tabla' or 'Pakhawaj' as its main percussion instruments; [Odissi]: Odissi's primary percussion instrument is the 'Mardala', not the Mridangam.

Correct Answer: C. Evil forest dwellers

• **Evil forest dwellers** = The 'Kari' makeup, characterized by an all-black face, is used in Kathakali to depict characters like evil forest dwellers, hunters, or demonesses. • **Surpanakha** — This mythological demoness is an example of a character often portrayed with Kari makeup, signifying primitive or negative traits. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Divine beings]: Divine beings in Kathakali are typically represented with green (Pacha) makeup; [Sages]: Sages often have a more subdued makeup, not all-black; [Kings]: Righteous kings are usually depicted with green (Pacha) makeup, while anti-heroes might have different color schemes, but not all-black Kari.

Correct Answer: D. Odissi

• **Odissi** = This classical dance form is uniquely accompanied by the 'Odissi music' system, which boasts its own distinct ragas, lakshanas, and musical tradition. • **Mardala** — The 'Mardala' is the principal percussion instrument in Odissi music, underscoring its independent musical identity compared to Hindustani and Carnatic systems. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Sattriya]: Sattriya music is based on 'Borgeets' and other devotional forms, drawing from folk and classical traditions but not a distinct 'Odissi music' system; [Kathak]: Kathak music is primarily based on the North Indian Hindustani classical music system; [Manipuri]: Manipuri dance uses music based on folk tunes and devotional compositions, distinct from both Hindustani, Carnatic, and Odissi music systems.

Correct Answer: D. Kathak

• **Kathak** = The 'Gharana' system, which defines distinct schools of teaching and artistic lineages, is most prominently associated with this North Indian classical dance. • **Lucknow, Jaipur, and Benaras** — These are prime examples of the prominent Kathak gharanas, each known for its unique stylistic nuances and interpretative approaches. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Odissi]: While Odissi has different styles and gurus, it does not have the formal 'Gharana' system as seen in Kathak; [Sattriya]: Sattriya's preservation was through the 'Sattra' monastic system, not a 'Gharana' system; [Kuchipudi]: Kuchipudi follows a Guru-Shishya parampara (tradition) but not the formally defined 'Gharana' system of Kathak.