Q1: Who wrote the book Natya Shastra?
A. Bharata Muni
B. Bhaskaracharya
C. Prabhupada
D. Shankaracharya
Ans: A
Bharata Muni was inspired by Brahma to write the book Natya Shastra, which codified dance and theatre. Natya combines dance, theatre, and music.
Q2: Rasa denotes which of the following expression according to the Vedas?
A. Feelings
B. Words
C. Geet
D. Bhaav
Ans: A
Bharata Muni was inspired by Brahma to write the book Natya Shastra, which codified dance and theatre. Natya combines dance, theatre, and music.
In line with this, he blended some elements of the four Vedas (Pathya, or words, from the Rig Veda, Abhinaya, from the Yajur Veda, Geet, from the Samveda, and Rasa, or feelings, from the Atharvaveda) to create the fifth Veda, known as Natya Veda.
Q3: Which of the following represents the feminine aspects of dance as per the Natya Shastra by Bharat Muni?
A. Lasya
B. Pathya
C. Abhinaya
D. Sam
Ans: A
There are two fundamental ideas in Indian classical dance, according to Natya Shastra. Lasya, which stands for grace, bhava, rasa, and abhinaya, is a representation of the feminine aspect of dance. Tandava, symbolize the male component of dance and denotes rhythm and movement.
Q4: Which of the following represents the male aspects of dance as per the Natya Shastra by Bharat Muni?
A. Shringara
B. Lasya
C. Tandava
D. Raag
Ans: C
There are two fundamental ideas in Indian classical dance, according to Natya Shastra. Lasya, which stands for grace, bhava, rasa, and abhinaya, and is a representation of the feminine aspect of dance. Tandava, which symbolizes the male component of dance and denotes rhythm and movement
Q5: Abhinaya Darpan is a treatise that belongs to which of the following personality?
A. Purandara dasa
B. Nandikeshwara
C. Bhavbhuti
D. Kadambari
Ans: B
In the classical form of dance, the act is divided into three main aspects, according to Nandikeshwara’s treatise on dance, the Abhinaya Darpan.
Q6: Which of the following moves of classical dance is executed rhythmically and without emotion?
A. Haasya
B. Nritta
C. Nritya
D. Tandava
Ans: B
In the classical form of dance, the act is divided into three main aspects, according to Nandikeshwara’s treatise on dance, the Abhinaya Darpan. The fundamental dancing moves, or nritta, are executed rhythmically but without emotion. Dance’s expressive element known as nritta includes mudra. Tandava is an example of Nritta.
Q7: Tandava is a form of which of the following aspects of dance?
A. Nritya
B. Lasya
C. Karunya
D. Nritta
Ans: D
The fundamental dancing moves, or nritta, are executed rhythmically but without emotion. Dance’s expressive element known as nritta includes mudra. Tandava is an example of Nritta.
There are two fundamental ideas in Indian classical dance, according to Natya Shastra. Lasya, which stands for grace, bhava, rasa, and abhinaya, is a representation of the feminine aspect of dance. Tandava symbolizes the male component of dance and denotes rhythm and movement.
Q8: Which of the following is not included in 9 Rasa or emotion expressed through dance?
1. Adhbhuta
2. Karunya
3. Rudra
4. Haasya
A. 1,2,3,4
B. 1 and 3
C. 2,3, 4
D. 1,3 and 4
Ans: A
There are 9 Rasa or emotions expressed through dance
• Shringara (love)
• Rudra(fury)
• Bibhatsa (disgust)
• Veer (heroism)
• Shaanta (peace)
• Haasya (laughter)
• Karunya(tragedy)
• Bhayanak (horror)
• Adhbhuta (Wonder)
Such expressions are expressed through different mudras (108) which is a combination of hand gestures and body posture.
Q9: Who revived the Bharatnatyam?
A. Rukmini Devi Arundale
B. Birju Maharaj
C. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
D. Mrinalini Sarabhai
Ans: A
Bharatnatyam’s name is a combination of Bharat Muni and Natyam. Bhav, Raga, and Taal are credited with creating Bharat. Devadasis (women temple dancers), the artist, performed solo in this format. E. Krishna Iyer and Rukmini Devi Arundale brought the revival form international attention. Tanjore Natyam is another name for the basic Bharatnatyam dance moves that the Tanjore Quartet organized into a progressive series called Adavus.
Q10: Which of the following dance form is known as the Ballad of the East in India?
A. Kathakali
B. Kuchipudi
C. Mohiniyattam
D. Kathak
Ans: A
Kathakali originated as a temple dance, which over the time borrowed from the folk arts like Kutiyattam. It literally means, the art of storytelling. Katha means story and Kali means art. It is also known as the Ballad of the east.
Q11: Which dance form is the source of Rasleela of Brajbhoomi?
A. Kathakali
B. Kathak
C. Kuchipudi
D. Manipuri
Ans: B
Kathak- Its source is Ras-Leela of Brajbhoomi, which is described in the Mahabharata. Its name comes from Kathika, or storytellers who performed epic poetry.
Q12: Jagoi is a form of which classical dance?
A. Kathak
B. Bharatnatyam
C. Mohiniattam
D. Manipuri
Ans: D
Manipuri dance- Locals also refer to it as Jagoi. Its roots are in the Manipur heavenly dance of Shiva and Parvati (Gandharvas – dance experts mentioned in epics).
Q13: Sattriya, a classical dance form originates from which state?
A. Manipur
B. Kerala
C. Karnataka
D. Assam
Ans: D
Sattriya (Assam)- In the 15th century, Vaishnava Saint Shankaradeva introduced Sattriya. Its name comes from Vaishnava monasteries called Sattras. Its foundation is Krishna Bhakti. Maniram Datta Moktar and Indira PP Bora are two of its proponents.
Q14: Which of the following dance form is similar to Bharatnatyam in terms of mudras and posture?
A. Sattriya
B. Mohiniattam
C. Kuchipudi
D. Odissi
Ans: D
Odissi is similar to Bharatanatyam in terms of emotional expression through mudras and postures. It has two fundamental postures (Chowk and Tribhanga posture). It symbolizes grace, sensuality, and beauty. It is usually done by women and children.
Q15: Mahari is a dance style of which dance form of India?
A. Kathak
B. Sattriya
C. Odissi
D. Manipuri
Ans: C
Odissi dance has 3 major styles-
• Mahari: temple dance performed by women.
• Gotipua: dance by boys dressed as girls.
• Nartaki: a dance performed in royal courts by women.
