Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is 2 only.

Key Points

• The three main components of classical dances are
  • Natya (the dramatic element of the dance i.e. the imitation of characters)
  • Nritta (the dance movements in their basic form)
  • Nritya (expressional component i.e. mudras or gestures)

There are eight classical dances in India:

1. Bharatanatyam: Tamil Nadu (Hence pair 3 is incorrectly matched)
2. Mohiniyattam: Kerala
3. Kathakali: Kerala
4. Kathak: North India (Uttar Pradesh)
5. Kuchipudi: Andhra Pradesh  (Hence pair 1 is incorrectly matched)
6. Sattriya: Assam (Hence pair 2 is correctly matched)
7. Odissi: Odisha 
8. Manipuri: Manipur

Important Points

• Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form of Karnataka that depicts mythological stories and Puranas.
• It is a temple art form performed with massive headgears and vibrant costumes.

• Giddha is not an Indian classical dance form.
• It is a folk dance that is performed exclusively by women in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan.
• Indian classical dance forms include those styles which have mythological roots and whose theory and practice can be found in the Natya Shastra (Sanskrit text).
• Classical Dances of India- Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, Sattriya, Manipuri are the recognized Indian classical dance forms.

The correct answer is Ellora Caves.

Key Points

• Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.
• It is located nearly 100 km away from Ajanta caves in the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra.
• The temples and monasteries extending over more than 2 km, were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff.
• The structures were excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills.
• Ellora Caves are one of the largest rock-cut Hindu temple cave complexes in the world.
• Ellora caves are a group of 100 caves at the site of which 34 caves are open to the public.
  • 17 caves out of these 34 are themed around Hinduism, 12 caves depict the themes of Buddhist, and 5 caves are of Jain faith.
• The set of caves in Ellora were developed during the period between the 5th century and 11th century A.D.
• The most remarkable of the Ellora cave temples is Kailasa Temple (Kailasanatha; cave 16).
• It features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world.
• It is named for the mountain in the Kailasa Range of the Himalayas where the Hindu god Shiva resides.

The Correct Answer is Option (4) i.e 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b-

• A folk dance is a dance developed by people that reflect the life of the people of a certain country or region.
• It is performed for every possible occasion, to celebrate the arrival of seasons, the birth of a child, a wedding, festivals, and some old social customs.

The correct answer is Odisha.

Key Points

• Udayagiri and Khandagiri are Located in Bhuvneshvar, Odisha.
• Built by King Kharavela of the Meghavahana dynasty, widely regarded as the most powerful king in the annals of the history of Odisha. 
• These ancient rocks cut caves were first discovered by a young British Officer Andrew Sterling in the 19th century AD.
• Eighteen caves are located in the Udaygiri hill and fifteen in the Khandagiri hill.
• The major Udaygiri caves are:-
  • Hathigumpha.
  • The Rani Gumpha.
  • The Ganesh Gumpha.
  • The VyagharaGumpha.

Important Points

• Important Caves
  • Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra.
  • Badami, Karnataka.
  • Tabo, Himachal Pradesh.
  • Krem Liat Prah, Meghalaya.
  • The Mystery Of Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple Uttarakhand.