Question Discussion & Solution

The tomb of Itimad- ud -Daulah is located along the banks of the Yamuna at Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

• It was built by the Mughal queen Nur Jahan, wife of Emperor Jehangir.
• The tomb of Itimad- ud -Daulah is often regarded as a draft of the Taj Mahal.
• It is known for the first use of the pietra dura.

The correct answer is Kuchipudi: Odisha.

Key Points

• Kuchipudi
  • There are eight Indian classical dance forms. Kuchipudi is one among those which is performed in Andhra Pradesh.
  • The dance form derives its name from a village named Kuchipudi in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Kuchipudi derives its roots from the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra and is a dance-drama performance.
  • The dance drama performance has a long history in Andhra Pradesh and is known under the generic name Yakshagana.
  • The systematized and modern version of Kuchipudi was founded by Siddhendra Yogi in the 17th century.
  • The Kuchipudi style of Yakshagana was conceived by Yogi. He was guided by his guru Tirthanarayana Yogi.
  • It is largely devoted to the Hindu God - Krishna and it is most closely related to Bhagavata Mela.
  • Traditionally this dance form is performed only by male artists, later female artists were also allowed.
  • The dance drama has the following components:
    • Dharavu - a short preliminary dance performed by the artists after their roles are introduced.
    • Nritta - it is the pure dance performance presented after the Dharavi. It includes parts viz., darus, jatis, jatiswarams, tirmanas, and tillanas.
    • Nritya - it is the expressive part of the performance where the story is conveyed through rhythmic hand gestures. It includes padams, varnams, shabdams, and shlokas.
    • Natya - it is performed when the underlying text is a play.​

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Additional Information

The correct answer is Baiga.

Key Points

• Baiga
  • It is a sub-tribe of Gond.
  • The Baigas are semi-nomadic Dravidian tribes and are linked to Indo-Australian aboriginal groups. Hence, Option 1 is correct.
  • The largest number of Baigas is found in Southern districts i.e. Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh.
  • Some important sub-castes of Baiga are Bijhwar, Narotia, Bharotiya, Nahar, Rai Bhaina, Kadh Bhania, etc.
  • It is believed that the ancestors of the Baigas spoke an Austroasiatic language.
  • Now they are speaking in the ‘Baigani’ language which is a variety of Chhattisgarhi influenced by Gondi and Western Hindi used by the Baigas.
  • The Baigas are true inhabitants of forests, retaining customs, traditions, handed by their ancestors.
  • They are fierce protectors and worshippers of the forests and Mother nature.
  • Five panches of Baiga Panchayat are Mukdam, Deewan, Samrath, Kotawar, and Dawari.
  • The Baigas eat coarse grain, Kodo and Kutki, drink pej (made from grounding macca or from the water left from boiling rice).
  • Tattooing all over the body is an integral part of their lifestyles.

 Additional Information

• The women who work as tattooing artists belong to the Ojha, Badni, and dewar tribes of Madhya Pradesh.
• A weekly market is an important event in the lives of the Baiga people.
• Widow remarriage and bride price are prevalent in this tribe.
• Baiga lives in a joint family and endogamy is prohibited among them.
• Their main dance forms are Karma, Saila, Phaag, etc.
• They have great faith in Magic and the Baiga regard themselves as the most powerful Magician. They worship sal trees.
• Their sacred beliefs prohibit them from plowing the land as this is perceived as traumatizing Mother Earth.
• Baiga depends on agriculture. They adopt the slash and burn form of shifting agriculture known as ‘Webar’ as ‘Pondu’.
• They are courageous woodsmen and hunters and it is below the dignity of a Baiga to become a laborer.

The correct answer is Assam.

• Bihu is a set of three important festivals observed in the Indian state of Assam which are-
  • Rongali or Bohag Bihu observed in April
  • Kongali or Kati Bihu observed in October
  • Bhogali or Magh Bihu observed in January
• The Rongali Bihu is the most important of the three, the Bhogali Bihu is a harvest festival and the Kongali Bihu is an animistic festival.
• It is celebrated with great joy and abundance by all Assamese people regardless of caste, creed, and religion. 

In Madhya Pradesh, the world famous Khajuraho Dance Festival has begun. Eminent Indian classical dancers will perform during the 7 day event. This Dance Festival presents colourful and brilliant Indian dances in the backdrop of the famous Khajuraho temples. Live performances of classical dances like Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Bharatnatyam, and Mohniyattam were the major attraction this time.