Art and Culture (Part-II)

Total Questions: 50

1. The first writer to use Urdu as the medium of poetic expression was: [I.A.S. (Pre) 1999]

Correct Answer: (a) Amir Khusrau
Solution:The first writer to use Urdu as the medium of poetic expression was Amir Khusrau. He compiled several verses in Urdu. He is also known as the originator of Qawwali.

2. ‘Radha Govind Sangeet Sar’ the renowned classical music composition is the creation of:- [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1999]

Correct Answer: (b) Sawai Pratap Singh
Solution:Radha Govind Sangeet Sar’ the renowned classical music composition is the creation of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh.

3. With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]

  1. Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period.
  2. Dhrupad is primarily a devotional and spiritual music.
  3. Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras.
  4. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3
Solution:Dhrupad is the Indian classic music that traces its origin to the chanting of Vedic hymns and mantras. It was originated by King of Gwalior Man Singh Tomar (1486-1516). Hence, Dhrupad was originated way back before Mughal Period.

Hence statement 1 is wrong. It is also primarily a form of worship, in which offerings are made to the divine through sound. Thus Statement 2 is correct. Dhrupad is performed in two parts- Alap and Bandish. In the Alap, the singer uses syllables from Sanskrit Mantras. Therefore, statement 3 is correct.

4. The famous classical singer, Bhimsen Joshi, is related to— [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2008]

Correct Answer: (b) Kirana Gharana
Solution:Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was an Indian classical singer of the Kirana Gharana. Apart from being an expert in ‘Khayal’ singing, he was also adept in the presentation of Thumris, songs from plays or devotional compositions. He also sang for several films. He was honoured with Bharat Ratna in 2009.

5. ‘Odissi’ dance belongs to — [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Mains) 2006]

Correct Answer: (c) Orissa
Solution:Odissi is one of the eight classical dance forms of India. It originate from the state of Odisha, in India. Odissi dance form can be broken down to the movement of the head, bust and torso and the accompanying gestures and expressions.

The techniques of movement are built around the two basic postures of the Chowk and the Tribhanga. The chowk is a position imitating a square - a very masculine stance with the weight of the body equally balanced.

The tribhanga is a very feminine stance where the body is deflected at the neck, torso and the knees. Odissi dance deals largely with the love theme of Radha and Krishna.

6. ‘Mohini Attam’ is the folk dance of — [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]

Correct Answer: (c) Kerala
Solution:‘Mohiniattam’ is a semi-classical dance form of Kerala. Women perform it. The word Mohini means a maiden who steals the heart of the onlooker. It is thought that Vaishnava devotees gave the name of Mohiniattam to this dance form. It is one of the eight classical dance forms of India.

7. With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2014]

  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 based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Solution:Sattriya dance is one among the eight principal classical Indian dance traditions, Recognized in 2000 as a classical dance by Sangeet Natak Akademi. The Sattriya is the most recent entrant in this list.

The Sattriya dance form was introduced by the Great Vaishnava saint and reformer of Assam, Mahapurusha Sankaradeva as a powerful medium for the propagation of the Vaishnava faith.

It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam. Sattriya Nritya is accompanied by musical compositions called Borgeet (composed by Sankaradeva and Shree Shree Madhavdev among others) which are based on classical ragas.

8. Which one of the following dances involves solo performance? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1997]

Correct Answer: (c) Mohiniattam
Solution:In the above options, Mohiniattam involves solo performance. Mohiniattam is a classical dance form from Kerala, India. It is considered as a graceful form of dance meant to be performed as solo recitals by women.

The Mohiniattam dance focuses mainly on feminine moods and emotions. Usually, the theme of Mohiniattam dance is "sringara" or love. Subtle subjects of love are executed with suggestive or abhinaya using subtle gestures, rhythmic footwork and lilting music.

The legend of Vishnu as "Mohini," (the enchantress) forms the core of Mohiniattam dance.

9. Consider the following pairs: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2014]

  1. Garba : Gujarat
  2. Mohiniattam : Odisha
  3. Yakshagana : Karnataka
    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Solution:Garba is a form of dance which originated in the State of Gujarat in India while Mohiniattam is a classical dance form from Kerala, India. It is one of the eight Indian classical dance forms recognized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Yakshagana is a folk theatre form that combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form.

This folk theatre style is mainly found in the Karnataka, India. Thus, option (c) will be the correct answer as the second pair is not correctly matched.

10. How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]

  1. Dancers occasionally speaking dialogues is found in Kuchipudi dance but not in Bharatanatyam.
  2. Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the feet on its edges is a feature of Bharatanatyam, but Kuchipudi dance does not have such a form of movements.
    Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: (a) Only 1
Solution:The first statement is correct as Kuchipudi is a famous folk dance of Andhra Pradesh. It presents more realistic acting occasionally including dialogue spoken by the dancers.

Another unique feature of Kuchipudi is the Tarangam, in which the performer dances on the edges of a brass plate, executing complicated rhythmic patterns with dexterity, while sometimes also balancing a pot of water on the head. So, the second statement is incorrect. The correct answer is option (a).