Practice MCQs — Dances (with Answers)

1. Who authored the Natya Shastra, foundational text of Indian classical dance theory? Answer: Bharata Muni.

2. How many Rasas (Navarasa) are described in classical dramaturgy? Answer: Nine.

3. How many classical dance forms does the Sangeet Natak Akademi currently recognise? Answer: Eight.

4. Which dance form is associated with the "Aramandi" posture? Answer: Bharatanatyam.

5. Who is credited with reviving Bharatanatyam in its modern form? Answer: Rukmini Devi Arundale.

6. Which dance form is known for its rapid spins called "chakkars"? Answer: Kathak.

7. Name the two major gharanas of Kathak. Answer: Lucknow Gharana and Jaipur Gharana.

8. Which dance form uses elaborate painted facial makeup called "chutti"? Answer: Kathakali.

9. Which dance form involves dancing on the rim of a brass plate? Answer: Kuchipudi (Tarangam).

10. Who is credited with systematising Kuchipudi in the 17th century? Answer: Siddhendra Yogi.

11. Which dance form is characterised by the "Tribhangi" posture? Answer: Odissi.

12. Which dance form is associated with Raas Leela and Radha-Krishna themes? Answer: Manipuri.

13. What does "Mohiniyattam" mean? Answer: "Dance of the enchantress."

14. Which is the most recently recognised classical dance form (2000)? Answer: Sattriya.

15. Who founded the Vaishnavite Sattra tradition behind Sattriya dance? Answer: Srimanta Sankardev.

16. Which folk dance is a harvest dance of Punjab performed by men? Answer: Bhangra.

17. Which Rajasthani dance is associated with the snake-charmer (Kalbelia) community? Answer: Kalbelia dance.

18. Which dance form is Maharashtra's lively, expressive folk-theatrical dance often performed by women? Answer: Lavani.

19. Which masked martial-influenced dance form spans West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha? Answer: Chhau.

20. Which highly ritualistic Kerala performance blends dance, trance, and worship? Answer: Theyyam.

(End of Dances notes. Cross-reference with the Music and Architecture files for related cultural context.)