Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Shehnai.

Key Points

• Ustad Bismillah Khan used to play the shehna
• He was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2001, becoming the third classical musician after M. S. Subbalakshmi and Ravi Shankar to be awarded Bharat Ratna.
• On his 102nd birthday, Google honoured Bismillah Khan with a Google doodle.
• The Department of Posts issued a five-rupee commemorative stamp on Bismillah Khan on 21st August 2008, on the occasion of his second death anniversary.
• He had the rare honour of being invited by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to play shehnai on the ramparts of the Red Fort on the eve of 15th August 1947.
• He also heralded the first Republic Day celebrations on 26th January 1950.
• Since then the charming strain of his shehnai marked the beginning of Republic Day celebrations every year.

The correct answer is Bhavai – Gujarat.

Key Points

• Bhavai is a folk dance popular in Rajasthan.
• The male or female performer balance a number of earthen pots or brass pitchers as they dance nimbly swimming with the soles of their feet first on top of the glass and on the edge of the sword or on the rims of the brass plate during the performance.
• Bhavai is also one of the most colourful performances of the state as the women wear bright coloured Ghaghra cholis and dupattas.
• The men from these communities offer the music to this dance, using string and percussion instruments.

Confusion Points

• Bhavai dance is often misinterpreted from ‘Bhavai’ which is a folk theatre form of Gujarat. 

Additional Information

The Sculpture of Mathura school were influenced by the stories and imageries of all three religions- Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

Key Points

Mathura School of Art:

• Mathura was a great centre of art and culture during the period of the Kushans.
• In Gandhara art the Greco- Roman influence is strongly present.
• In Mathura art, the important religions of India, such as Brahmanism, Jainism and Buddhism are represented. It is believed that the first Buddha images were carved at Mathura at the same time as in the Gandhara School.
• Mathura has produced Buddha images of various dimensions. The Mathura style evolved with native spirit and elements.
• There are quite a number of female figures on the railings of the stupas, and these are beautifully attired according to Indian taste.
• The spirit of Mathura sculpture displays the peaceful atmosphere. The features are naturalistic rather than realistic.
• The Indian elements derived from the ideal yogi type, namely the lotus feet and the meditative gaze.
• Mathura artists rejected the Greco- Roman realistic features and chose naturalistic features to create the sculptures. The entire figure clothed with refinement. 

 Additional InformationAmaravati School of Sculpture: 

• During the Satavahana period, an aesthetic movement of greater magnitude developed in Andhra Pradesh.
• Several stupas with refined sculptures of exceptional beauty are the contributions of this period.
• The sculptures belonging to Amaravati school are found in the valley of Krishna on the sites and museums of Jaggayyapetta, Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda. 
• The Amaravati style is more elegant and sophisticated. The sculptured panels of Amaravati are characterised by delicacy of forms, and linear grace.
• Numerous scenes of dance and music adorn these reliefs displaying joy of life. The sculptural remains of Amaravati, known as the 'marbles' are created by using white limestone. It creates the illusion of marble and is as fresh as when it was carved.
• It reflects narratives theme based on life of Buddha and Jataka stories Buddha is depicted both in human as well as in animal form
• Both religious and secular images were present in this style.

Gandhara School 

• It was based on Greco-Roman norms encapsulating foreign techniques and an alien spirit.
• The foreign influence is evident from the sculptures of Buddha in which they bear resemblance to the Greek sculptures.
• Grey sandstone (Blue-grey Mica schist to be precise) is used in Gandhara School of Art.
• The Gandharan Buddha image was inspired by Hellenistic realism, influenced by Persian, Scythian, and Parthian models. 
• In this art, Buddha’s curls were altered into wavy hair.
• The head of the Buddha matched very much with Greek God Apollo.
• Gandharan sculptures show strong Greek influences in the depiction of a ‘man-god’ and of wavy hair, sandals and extensive drapery.
• The depiction of Buddha as a ‘man-god’ in Gandharan sculpture is believed to be inspired from Greek mythology.
• Some examples of Gandharan art depict both Buddha and the Greek god, Hercules.

The correct answer is Manipuri.

Key Points

• Manipuri is the celestial dance of shiva and Parvati in Manipur.
• Manipuri origin is from the festival of Lai Haraoba.
• Manipuri dance is emphasis on devotion and not sensuality.
• Faces are covered with a thin veil and gentle movements and hand gestures are given importance in Manipuri dance.
• In a Manipuri dance, the emphasis is given on Lasya rather than thandava.
• The female in the Manipuri dancers wear a long skirt and focuses on hand and knee movements.
• Naga Bandha mudra in which the body is connected in the unique shape of 8 is an important posture in Manipuri dance.

Important Points

• 'Lai Haroba' literally means merrymaking of Gods or 'Festivity of Gods'.
• It is celebrated through oral literature, music, dance, and rituals.
  • It is one of the main ritualistic festivals of Manipur.
• It traces its origin in the pre-Vaishnavite period.
• It is celebrated by Manipuri Meitei communities.
  • Four types of Lai Haraoba are prevalent in Meitei's, namely:
    • Kanglei Haraoba.
    • Chakpa Haraoba.
    • Moirang Haraoba.
    • Kakching Haraoba.​