UGC-NET (NTA) Exam, Performing Arts, August- 2024

Total Questions: 100

41. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions.

Dance's theories and methods focus on questions that scholars in other fields do not ask - questions such as how bodies consume space, how they relate to each other, how bodies consume space, how they relate to each other, how their actions both represent and constitute meaning and what the relationship is of observing bodies to acting bodies, including the scholar's body.
Dance's methods and theories coupled with others beyond its confines are what may help the field avoid some of the problems of cultural studies, problems that, according to Grossberg, have dangerously narrowed cultural studies focus.
Certain cultural studies has helped give dance new freedom: It opened the door to critical theory, gave the field a greater awareness of historical contingency and dance's connections to broader social and political issues, and gave dance scholars permission both to cross disciplinary boundaries and to work in the spaces between them.
Dance, though, is not altogether like cultural studies in that it does not only adopt methods and theories from other sources- it has its own.
To this degree, dance studies more closely resembles humanities disciplines that have incorporated aspects of cultural studies, rather than cultural studies itself. For most dance scholars, dance however it may be defined has abiding interest as a source of insight into changing social conditions.
This contrasts with cultural studies where, as Stuart Hall once remarked, popular culture was of interest to him only because it was a site where socialism might be constituted; otherwise he cared nothing about it.
Cultural studies according to the passage, can offer scope for inter-disciplinarity in dance research.
(a) to analyze human body in motion
(b) to adopt methods and theories from others sources
(c) to focus dance as a site to study socialistic concerns
(d) for adopting aspects of cultural studies
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: B. (b) and (d) only
Solution:

Cultural studies offer scope for interdisciplinarity in dance research by allowing dance scholars to adopt methods and theories from other sources and for adopting aspects of cultural studies themselves.
This helps broaden the analytical framework within which dance is studied, linking it to larger socio-cultural and theoretical contexts.

42. Utilizing aspects of cultural studies in Dance research can be synonymous as in the field of:

Correct Answer: A. Humanities
Solution:

Utilizing aspects of cultural studies in dance research can be synonymous with the field of humanities. Both fields incorporate cultural studies to enrich their understanding of their respective subjects, particularly how these subjects interact with and reflect broader cultural, social, and historical contexts.

43. The passage in short, negates the importance of______.

Correct Answer: D. narrowed focus on cultural studies
Solution:

The passage suggests a criticism of cultural studies for having a dangerously narrowed focus, which may limit the scope and depth of inquiry in understanding cultural phenomena, including dance.

44. What perspective according to the author, suits dance research with respect to Stuart Hall's opinion on his research on popular culture?

Correct Answer: A. Study of dance as an insight into changing social conditions
Solution:

According to the author, dance research, unlike Stuart Hall's approach to popular culture, should focus on studying dance for its own sake as a source of insight into changing social conditions.
This perspective values dance as an inherently significant cultural and social practice rather than merely a site for broader ideological formation.

45. Dance's theories are unique in that they ask questions as to:

(a) how bodies consume space
(b) how actions constitute meanings
(c) how they act as one of the sites to understand social/scientific phenomena
(d) how dancing bodies relate to each other
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: D. (d), (a) and (b) only
Solution:

Dance's theories are unique in that they ask specific questions about:
(d) how dancing bodies relate to each other,
(a) how bodies consume space,
(b) how actions constitute meanings.
These focus areas highlight dance's distinct approach to understanding movement and interaction, which is not commonly explored in other fields.

46. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions.

There is mention of organization of comedy with laughter-full acting in the Vanasur narrative of the Harivansha. In this context, even Shiva and Parvati themselves had expressed mesmerisation laced surprise on the skillfulness of the acting presented by cohorts of Parvati's form bearer Apsara Chitralekha and the Ganas of Shiva.
This comedy is called mugdhabinaya. In Harivamsha, there is information regarding dance and utilization of musical instruments by beautiful apsaras like Urvashi, Hema, Rambha, Menaka, Mishrakeshi and Tilottama etc, apart from Chitralekha.
There is mention of two plays being performed namely Ramayan and Kaioverambhanisar in the Mahabharata (Vanaparva-15/13). Both these plays were played on the occasion of Pradyumna Vivaha. In this context apart from mention of characters like Nat, Nartak, Gayak and Sutradhar etc, detailed information has also given about their background.
The mention we set about organization of a dance music festival called 'Saman in the art loving society of Vaidik era, had reached at its peak in the medieval society. It was called Samajja in this era. It was being accepted at broader level in all sections of the society.
The popular theatre-art form of Ramayan and Mahabharat impacted the literature and society of the later period. But it is clear from the reading of scriptures of later period that this grand tradition of theatre-art some what faded away during the subsequent period. This was because of its prohibition according to the legal texts. This is clear from the Arthashastra of Kautilya.
The term 'Saman' according to the passage was:

Correct Answer: D. a dance - music festival
Solution:

The term ‘Saman' referred to a dance-music festival, indicating its role in the Vaidik era as a significant cultural event that reached its peak popularity in medieval society.

47. Choose the odd one out:

Correct Answer: D. Gargi
Solution:

Gargi is the odd one out as she was a noted philosopher and scholar in ancient India, unlike Urvashi, Tilottma, and Rambha, who are all mythical apsaras known for their roles in dance and musical narratives in classical texts.

48. What is clear from the Arthashastra of Kautilya?

Correct Answer: B. that the grand theatre tradition faded away
Solution:

According to the Arthashastra of Kautilya, it is evident that the grand tradition of theatre and the arts had begun to fade away over time. This fading of the arts is attributed to various societal and legal changes during that period, leading to a diminished prevalence and practice of theatrical traditions.

49. Detailed information on characters like Nat, Nartak, Gayak and Sutradhar were provided in the:

Correct Answer: A. Harivansha
Solution:

Detailed information on characters such as Nat, Nartak, Gayak, and Sutradhar is provided in the Harivansha. This text offers extensive descriptions of these roles within its narratives, illustrating the importance and intricacies of each character type in the context of ancient performances and cultural festivities.

50. Which "Prahsan" (comedy) is known as Mugdhabhinay?

Correct Answer: C. Prahsana resulting in Hasya Rasa
Solution:

The "Prahsan" known as Mugdhabhinay is specifically associated with resulting in Hasya Rasa, or the comic sentiment.
This form of comedy, mentioned in the Harivansha, involves laughter-full acting and is distinguished by its light-hearted and humorous portrayal of characters and situations.