Dance Exponents MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Dance Exponents - Download Free PDF

The Correct answer is Baiga dance.

Key Points

• Arjun Singh Dhurve was recognized with the Padma Shri Award in 2022 for his dedicated efforts in preserving and promoting the Baiga dance.
• The Baiga dance is a traditional and cultural dance form of the Baiga tribal community, primarily found in the central Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
• The dance is deeply rooted in the rituals and traditions of the Baiga tribe and is often performed during festivals, weddings, and other celebrations.
• The dance is notable for its graceful movements and the use of colorful traditional attire, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Baiga community.
• By promoting the Baiga dance, Arjun Singh Dhurve has played a significant role in preserving the cultural identity of the Baiga tribal group and spreading awareness about their unique traditions.
• The recognition of his work through the Padma Shri highlights the importance of safeguarding tribal art forms as part of India’s cultural diversity.

Additional Information

• Pung Cholom dance
  • The Pung Cholom is a traditional dance form of the Manipuri culture, performed mainly in the northeastern state of Manipur.
  • This dance combines martial arts, acrobatics, and rhythmic drumming using a traditional percussion instrument called the Pung.
  • It is often performed during religious festivals and is a key element of the Ras Leela dance-drama.
• Daph dance
  • The Daph dance is a folk dance primarily from the northern Indian state of Haryana.
  • The dance is performed in accompaniment with the Daph or Dafli instrument, a type of tambourine.
  • It is often showcased during festivals and fairs and is a part of the rich folk traditions of North India.
• Mandjas dance
  • The Mandjas dance is a lesser-known traditional dance form, often performed by tribal communities in specific regions of India.
  • It incorporates folk elements and is typically performed during celebrations or rituals.

The correct answer is 2009.

Key Points

• Prerana Shrimali is a renowned Kathak dancer recognized for her contributions to the classical dance form.
• She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2009 for her exceptional work in Kathak.
• The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is one of the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists.
• Prerana Shrimali has been instrumental in propagating and preserving the Kathak dance form through her performances and teachings.

Additional Information

• Sangeet Natak Akademi
  • Established in 1952, it is the national academy for music, dance, and drama in India.
  • The Akademi honors artists with awards and fellowships for their outstanding contributions to their respective fields.
  • It plays a crucial role in the preservation, promotion, and development of the performing arts in India.
  • The Akademi also organizes various festivals, seminars, and exhibitions to showcase traditional and contemporary arts.
• Kathak
  • One of the eight major classical dance forms of India.
  • Originated from the wandering bards of ancient northern India known as Kathakars or storytellers.
  • It is characterized by intricate footwork, spins, and expressive gestures and facial expressions.
  • Kathak has evolved over the centuries and incorporates elements from both Hindu and Muslim cultures.
• Other notable Kathak dancers
  • Brijmohan Mishra (Birju Maharaj)
  • Shovana Narayan
  • Kumudini Lakhia
  • Maya Rao
• Importance of Awards in Arts
  • Awards like the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award provide recognition and encouragement to artists.
  • They help in preserving and promoting traditional art forms.
  • Awards contribute to the cultural richness and heritage of a nation.
  • They also inspire the younger generation to pursue and excel in various art forms.

The correct answer is Sattriya.

Key Points

• Sattriya is one of the eight major Indian classical dance forms.
• It originated in the 15th century Assam, attributed to the Vaishnavite saint Sankaradeva.
• This dance form was initially performed in monasteries (Sattras) as a part of the Ankiya Naat (a form of Assamese one-a14ct plays).
• Sattriya was recognized as a classical dance by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000.

Additional Information

• Sattriya Dance
  • Sattriya is a combination of music, dance, and drama.
  • The dance was traditionally performed by male monks, known as Bhakats, within the confines of the monasteries.
  • It includes both nritta (pure dance) and nritya (expressive dance) forms.
  • The themes of Sattriya dances are mostly based on the mythological stories of Krishna and Vishnu.
  • The costumes used in Sattriya are usually made of white or off-white silk with embroidered patterns.
  • Musical instruments used in Sattriya include the Khol (drum), Taals (cymbals), and the Flute.
• Kathak
  • Kathak is a North Indian classical dance form known for its intricate footwork and spins.
  • It traces its origins to the wandering bards of ancient northern India known as Kathakars or storytellers.
  • It is characterized by its rhythmic foot movements, adorned with small bells (Ghungroo).
• Kuchipudi
  • Kuchipudi is a classical Indian dance form from Andhra Pradesh.
  • It involves a combination of rhythmic footwork, dramatic characterization, and expressive eye movements.
  • This dance form is known for its graceful movements and strong narrative/dramatic character.
• Bharatanatyam
  • Bharatanatyam is a South Indian classical dance form originating from Tamil Nadu.
  • It is known for its fixed upper torso, bent legs, and intricate footwork.
  • Bharatanatyam is deeply rooted in Hindu religious themes and mythology.
  • It is known for its elaborate costumes, intricate jewelry, and expressive hand gestures (Mudras).

The correct answer is Rohini Bhate.

Key Points

• Rohini Bhate was an eminent Indian classical dancer renowned for her expertise in the Kathak dance form.
• She was a disciple of Guru Lachhu Maharaj and Shambhu Maharaj, both legendary exponents of Kathak.
• Her dance style was characterized by its technical precision and expressive storytelling.
• She was also a respected teacher and choreographer, contributing significantly to the propagation and evolution of Kathak.

Additional Information

• Kathak
  • Kathak is one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance.
  • It originated from the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathakars or storytellers.
  • The dance form emphasizes intricate footwork, spins, and expressive gestures to convey stories, often from epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
  • Kathak has three main gharanas (schools) - Lucknow, Jaipur, and Banaras, each with its unique style and emphasis.
• Other Indian Classical Dance Forms
  • Bharatanatyam - Originating from Tamil Nadu, it is known for its fixed upper torso, bent legs, and intricate footwork combined with expressive hand gestures and facial expressions.
  • Kathakali - A dance-drama from Kerala, characterized by elaborate costumes, detailed gestures, and well-defined body movements presented in the form of a story-play.
  • Kuchipudi - Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, it blends fast rhythms and fluid movements with dramatic storytelling.
  • Odissi - From Odisha, it is known for its grace, fluid movements, and sculpturesque poses.
  • Manipuri - A dance form from Manipur, characterized by smooth and graceful movements, often depicting themes from the life of Lord Krishna.
  • Mohiniyattam - A classical dance from Kerala, it combines elements of Bharatanatyam and Kathakali, performed by women with slow, graceful movements.
  • Sattriya - Originating from Assam, it is a dance-drama that combines dance, drama, and music.

This source code provides a detailed solution for the question about the Indian classical dancer associated with Kathak, including key points about Rohini Bhate and additional information about Kathak and other Indian classical dance forms.

The correct answer is Darpana Academy of Performing Arts.

Key Points

• Darpana Academy of Performing Arts was founded by the renowned Bharatanatyam and Kathakali dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai.
• The institute was established in 1949 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
• Darpana Academy is dedicated to preserving and promoting various Indian classical dance forms, including Bharatanatyam and Kathakali.
• The academy has grown into a multidisciplinary arts center, offering training in dance, music, theatre, and puppetry.

Additional Information

• Mrinalini Sarabhai
  • Mrinalini Sarabhai (1918-2016) was a celebrated Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and instructor who was known for her contributions to Bharatanatyam and Kathakali.
  • She received numerous awards and honors, including the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, for her significant contributions to Indian classical dance.
  • Mrinalini Sarabhai was also an author and wrote several books on classical dance and Indian culture.
• Bharatanatyam
  • Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest classical dance forms of India, originating from Tamil Nadu.
  • It is known for its fixed upper torso, bent legs, intricate footwork, and expressive hand gestures and facial expressions.
  • Bharatanatyam is traditionally performed by solo dancers, often telling stories through dance.
• Kathakali
  • Kathakali is a classical Indian dance-drama form that originated in Kerala.
  • It is characterized by elaborate costumes, detailed makeup, and well-defined body movements, all of which are used to tell stories from Indian epics and mythology.
  • Kathakali performances are traditionally performed by male dancers, although women now also perform.

The correct answer is Dr. Kanak Rele.Key Points

• Dr. Kanak Rele is a well-known Mohiniyattom practitioner.
• She is also a dancer, choreographer, and scholar from India.
• She founded and currently leads the Nalanda Dance Research Center.
• She founded and serves as the principal of Mumbai's Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya.
• Mohiniyattam:
  • Mohiniyattam is an Indian classical dance form.
  • It was developed in the Keralan state.
  • The word "Mohini" refers to a historical enchantress and incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu who, by harnessing her feminine abilities, aids the good over the bad and gives rise to the Mohiniyattam dance.
  • It adheres to the delicate, erotically charged, and feminine Lasya form of dance that is described in the Natya Shastra.
  • Women typically execute it solo after receiving rigorous training.​

Additional Information

• Madhavi Mudgal:
  • Indian classical dancer Madhavi Mudgal is renowned for her Odissi dance form.
• Shagun Butani:
  • Shagun Bhutani, an Odissi dancer, performs Indian classical dance.
• Mohanrao Kallianpurkar:
  • One of the best academics and teachers of the Kathak dance style was the Karnataka-born Mohanrao Shankarrao Kallianpurkar.
  • He was also a professional Kathak dancer.
  • He belongs to Jaipur school of Kathak. 

The correct answer is Manipuri.

Key Points

• The Manipuri dancers and exponents Guru Bipin Singh and Guru Kalavati Devi are the parents of Bimbavati Devi.
• At a very young age, she was introduced to the world of dance and music.
• She has received instruction in pung (Manipuri mridang) playing and the fundamentals of Thang Ta in addition to dancing (Manipuri martial art).
• She was a performing and solo performer of Manipuri Nartanalaya.

Additional Information

• Chhau:
  • Eastern Indians have a practice known as Chhau dance.
  • It recreates scenes from epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana as well as regional folklore and abstract ideas.
  • The Chhau dance in the region of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha.
• Kathakali:
  • ​A significant type of classical Indian dance is Kathakali.
  • It belongs to the "story play" art form.
  • Kathakali comes from southwestern India, around the state of Kerala.
• Odissi:
  • ​The important ancient dance known as Odissi was created in the temples of Odisha.

Important Points

• The classical Dance forms of India:-

Dances	State	Main Reviving Personals
Bharatnatyam	Tamil Nadu	E. Krishna Iyer, Rukmini Devi Arindel,Balasaraswati
Kuchipudi	Andhra Pradesh	Ragini Devi,Balasaraswati
Kathakali	Kerala	V. N. Menon
Odissi	Odisha	Indrani Rehman, Charles Fabri
Manipuri	Manipur	Raja bhag Chandra, Rabindranath Tagore
Kathak	Uttar Pradesh	Lady Leela Sokhey
Mohiniattam	Kerala	V. N. Menon, kalayani Amma

The correct answer is "Mohiniyattam".

Key Points

• Sunanda Nair is an Indian dancer who performs Mohiniyattam, a dance form.
• She was the first student to earn a master's degree in Mohiniattam.
• She was awarded Global Mannam Award, Nrithya Seva Mani Award, and many others.
• She is an icon in her field.

Additional Information

• India has two types of dance forms-
  • Classical
  • Folk
• Classical dance form originated from Natya Shastra. There are eight classical dance forms in India:
  • Bharatnatyam
  • Kathak
  • Kuchipudi
  • Odissi
  • Kathakali
  • Sattriya
  • Manipuri
  • Mohiniyattam
• Folk dances are performed in respective communities. Every community or state has its own folk dance. 

The correct answer is Bharatanatyam.

Key Points

• Rukmini Devi Arundale was a reputed dancer and choreographer of Bharatnatyam
• In 1956, Rukmini Devi was awarded the Padma Bhushan.
• in 1967 she received the "Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship".
• Rukmini Devi was the first woman to be nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
• She was featured in India Today's list of 100 people who shaped India.

Additional Information

• Some famous personalities related to Dance
  • ​Bharatanatyam - Sonal Mansingh, Bala Saraswati, Narthaki Natraj, CV Chandrasekhar, Leela Samson, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Padma Subramanyam, Rukmini Devi, Yamini Krishnamurti.
  • Kathak - Shobhna Narayan, Bharti Gupta, Birju Maharaj, Durga Das, Gopi Krishna, Sambhu Maharaj, Sitara Devi.
  • Kuchipudi - Raja, Kaushalaya Reddy, Siddhendra Yogi, Josyula Seetharamaiah, Vempathi Chinna Sathyam, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Ragini Devi.
  • Manipuri - Guru Bipin Singh, Indira Devi, Darshana Jhaveri, Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Nirmala Mehta, Savita Mehta.
  • Odissi - Debaprasad Das, Dhirendra Nath Patnaik, Indrani Rahman, Kelucharan Mahapatra, Priyambada Mohanty, Sanjukta Panigrahi, Mayadhar Raut, Ileana Citaristi, Gangadhar Pradhan, Madhavi Mudgal, Sonal mansingh.
  • Kathakali - Mrinalini Sarabhai, Thottam Shankaran, Kutti Nayyar, Shankar Kurup, KC (Kavungal Chathunni) Panicker, TT Ram Kulti, Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair.

The correct answer is Bharatanatyam.

Key Points

• Bharatanatyam:-
  • It originated in Tamil Nadu.
  • Bharatanatyam is the oldest Indian classical dance and it originated hundreds of years ago in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
  • This dance form expresses the religious themes and spiritual ideas of South India.
  • The ancient Tamil epic Silappatikaram contains the description of Bharatanatyam.
  • ‘Alarippu’ is a dance piece from Bharatanatyam classical dance.
  • The Sangeet Natak Akademi currently confers classical status on eight Indian classical dance styles: Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathak (North, West and Central India), Kathakali (Kerala), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), Odissi (Odissa), Manipuri (Manipur), Mohiniyattam (Kerala), and Sattriya (Assam). 

Additional Information

•  8 Classical Dances of India and States: 

  Dance	State
  Bharatanatyam	Tamil Nadu
  Kathak	Uttar Pradesh
  Kathakali	Kerala.
  Kuchipudi	Andhra Pradesh.
  Odissi	Odisha
  Sattriya	Assam
  Manipuri	Manipur
  Mohiniyattam	Kerala

The correct answer is Prerna Shrimali.

Key Points

• Senior Kathak dancer of the Jaipur Gharana is Prerana Shrimali.
• Shrimati Prerana Shrimali, who was born in Banswara, Rajasthan, was trained in Kathak dancing by Guru Shri Kundan lal Gangani in Jaipur. Subsequently, she received instruction in the art from the same Guru, late Shri Kundan Lal Gangani of the Jaipur gharana, at Kathak Kendra in New Delhi.
• She has also taken part in numerous international dance seminars and conferences and created a number of performances.
• Also, she has trained young dancers at Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra and Gandharva Mahavidyalaya.

Additional Information

•  Kathak dance
  • ​One of the eight primary styles of Indian classical dance is kathak.
  • It is an Uttar Pradesh classical dancing style. The storytellers or itinerant bards known as Kathakars in ancient northern India are often credited as the creators of Kathak.
  • The Vedic Sanskrit words Katha, which means "story," and Kathakar, which means "the one who tells a story" or "to do with stories," are the roots of the word Kathak.
  • Traveling Kathakars used dance, songs, and music to transmit tales from the great epics and ancient mythology. Kathak dancers use intricate footwork, flexible body movements, and, most importantly, expressive face expressions to convey a variety of stories.

The correct answer is Bharatanatyam.

Key Points

• An advocate for animal rights, as well as a Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer, Rukmini Devi Arundale, was an Indian theosophist.
• She was the first woman ever nominated to the Rajya Sabha, which is the upper chamber of parliament for India.
• She was the most renowned proponent of bringing back Bharatanatyam in its original "Sadhir" style, which was beloved by Devadasi temple dancers, and she also worked to revive traditional Indian arts and crafts.
• One of India Today's "100 Persons Who Shaped India" is Rukmini Devi.
• She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1967.

Additional Information

•  Bharatanatyam
  • ​It is an important Hindu style of Indian classical dance.
  • The Natya Shastra by Bharata Muni and the Abhinaya Darpana (Mirror of Gesture) by Nandikeshvara are considered to be the first sources of Bharatanatyam (an Indian classical dance form).
  • The dance style is also briefly discussed in Manasollasa, a Kannada work by Someshwara III.
  • It has flourished in southern India's temples and courts since antiquity.
  • It is one of eight well-known types of classical Indian dance that are influenced by South Indian religions, primarily Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism, which are referred to as Hinduism.

The correct answer is Yamini Krishnamurthy.Key Points Yamini Krishnamurthy:

• ​Indian dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy specializes in Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam.
• She holds the honor of being the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam's Asthana Nartaki (resident dancer).
• She was also referred to as the "torch bearer" of the Kuchipudi dancing style.

Additional InformationUma Sharma:

• Uma Sharma is a famous Indian Kathak dancer.
• In the city of Delhi, Uma Sharma was born in 1942.
• She was trained in dance by Guru Hiralalji and Girvar Dayal of the Jaipur Gharana in her early years.
• She afterward enrolled as Pandit Sunder Prasad's student in the Jaipur Gharana.
• In 1973, she became the youngest dancer to receive the Padma Shri award from the Government of India, and in 2001, she received the Padma Bhushan.
• She also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award.

Rukmini Devi:

• Rukmini Devi Arundale was an Indian classical dancer who led the renaissance of the ‘Bharatnatyam’ dance form and founded the Kalakshetra Foundation in Madras (now Chennai).
• She was also a theosophist who was greatly inspired by Annie Besant.
• She founded the Kalakshetra Foundation in Madras (now Chennai).

The correct answer is Padma Shri

Key Points

• Sitara Devi
  • ​Sitara Devi, also known as Dhanlakshmi, was an Indian actress, singer, and traditional Kathak dancer.
  • She performed at a number of prestigious venues in India and overseas, including the Carnegie Hall in New York (1967) and the Royal Albert Hall in London.
  • She was the recipient of numerous honours and prizes (1976). Devi first met Rabindranath Tagore when she was a young girl, and he inspired her to bring back Indian performing arts like Kathak.
  • After witnessing her performance when she was only sixteen years old, Rabindranath Tagore referred to her as Nritya Samragni, which translates to "the empress of dance." She is regarded by some as the Kathak queen.

Additional Information

•  Padma Shri
  • ​The Padma Shri, which is often spelled Padma Shree, is India's fourth-highest civilian honour, behind the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, and Padma Bhushan.
  • Awarded for "distinguished achievement in different realms of life, including the arts, education, industry, literature, research, acting, medicine, social service, and public affairs," the award was established on January 2, 1954.
  • Every year on India's Republic Day, the Indian government presents it to the recipient.

The correct answer is Odissi.

Key Points

• Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra is a master and a legend in his chosen field, with a name now synonymous with Odissi dance throughout the world.
• He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1966, the title of Padma Shri in January 1974, an honorary doctorate in January 1982, the Padma Bhushan in 1988 and the Kalidas Samman in 1989.

Additional Information

• Some famous personalities related to Dance
  • Bharatanatyam - Sonal Mansingh, Bala Saraswati, Narthaki Natraj, CV Chandrasekhar, Leela Samson, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Padma Subramanyam, Rukmini Devi, Yamini Krishnamurti.
  • Kathak - Shobhna Narayan, Bharti Gupta, Birju Maharaj, Durga Das, Gopi Krishna, Sambhu Maharaj, Sitara Devi.
  • Kuchipudi - Raja, Kaushalaya Reddy, Siddhendra Yogi, Josyula Seetharamaiah, Vempathi Chinna Sathyam, Yamini Krishnamurthy, Ragini Devi.
  • Manipuri - Guru Bipin Singh, Indira Devi, Darshana Jhaveri, Rajkumar Singhajit Singh, Nirmala Mehta, Savita Mehta.
  • Odissi - Debaprasad Das, Dhirendra Nath Patnaik, Indrani Rahman, Kelucharan Mahapatra, Priyambada Mohanty, Sanjukta Panigrahi, Mayadhar Raut, Ileana Citaristi, Gangadhar Pradhan, Madhavi Mudgal, Sonal mansingh.
  • Kathakali - Mrinalini Sarabhai, Thottam Shankaran, Kutti Nayyar, Shankar Kurup, KC (Kavungal Chathunni) Panicker, TT Ram Kulti, Chemancheri Kunhiraman Nair.