Dances PYQs – Static GK, SSC & Railway

Correct Answer: Option 2 – Twirl
Ghoomar (also spelled Ghumar ) is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan, primarily performed by women of the Bhil tribe and later adopted by Rajput women. The word ' Ghoomar ' or ' Ghoomna ' comes from the Rajasthani/Hindi word meaning 'to twirl' or 'to spin' — referring to the graceful spinning movement that is the hallmark of the dance. Performers wear brightly coloured ghagra -choli (skirts and blouses) that flare outward when they twirl. Ghoomar received global recognition after featuring in the Bollywood film ' Padmaavat ' (2018).
Option 1 (Jump): Ghoomar does not mean jump; it specifically refers to the spinning/twirling motion.
Option 3 (Sing): Ghoomar is a dance, not a singing term; while it is accompanied by folk songs, the word itself means twirl.
Option 4 (Celebrate): While Ghoomar is performed at celebrations, the word itself specifically means to twirl/spin.

Correct Answer: Option 1 – Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore is credited with reviving and popularizing Manipuri dance in the early 20th century. In 1919, Tagore witnessed a Manipuri dance performance at Sylhet (now Bangladesh) and was deeply moved. He invited Manipuri guru Budhimantra Singh to Shantiniketan (West Bengal) to teach Manipuri dance, incorporating it into the curriculum at Visva-Bharati University. This gave Manipuri dance national visibility and recognition, rescuing it from regional obscurity.
Option 2 (Uday Shankar): A pioneer of modern Indian dance who blended Indian classical with Western techniques; associated with creating contemporary Indian dance forms, not the revival of Manipuri specifically.
Option 3 (Rukmini Devi Arundale): Credited with reviving and classicizing Bharatanatyam through Kalakshetra (Chennai, 1936); not Manipuri.
Option 4 ( Kelucharan Mohapatra): The legendary guru credited with reviving and reforming Odissi dance; not Manipuri.

Correct Answer: Option 1 – A-3, B-1, C-2
A. Thiruvathira Kali (3 – Kerala): Thiruvathira (also Thiruvatira ) is a traditional dance performed by women in Kerala, especially on the Thiruvathira festival (Dhanu month). Women dance in circles singing Thiruvathira songs, celebrating the day believed to be the birthday of Lord Shiva.
B. Saila (1 – Odisha): Saila is a folk dance of the tribal communities of Odisha, performed by men during festivals like Nuakhai and Dussehra using bamboo sticks. It is prominent in the Sambalpur region of western Odisha.
C. Rouf (2 – Kashmir): Rouf is a traditional folk dance of Kashmir, performed by women during festive occasions like Eid. Women stand in rows facing each other and perform graceful footwork and synchronized movements.
Correct matching: A-3 (Kerala), B-1 (Odisha), C-2 (Kashmir) = Option A.

Correct Answer: Option 1 – Tabla and Pakhawaj
In Kathak, one of the eight classical dance forms of India, the rhythm (taal) is primarily marked by the Tabla and Pakhawaj (barrel drum). The Tabla provides the primary rhythmic accompaniment, while the Pakhawaj is used in the Jaipur Gharana style of Kathak. The intricate footwork ( tatkar ) of Kathak aligns with the beats of these percussion instruments.
Option 2 (Mridangam): The Mridangam is the primary percussion instrument for Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu) and Carnatic classical music, not Kathak.
Option 3 (Violin): A melodic instrument; not used to mark rhythm in Kathak.
Option 4 (Flute): A melodic instrument; used for melody in classical performances but not for marking rhythm in Kathak.

Correct Answer: Option 1 – Swati Tirunal
Swati Tirunal (1813–1846), the Maharaja of Travancore, played a pivotal role in the development and patronage of Mohiniyattam — a classical dance form of Kerala associated with the enchanting ( mohini ) movements of a female dancer. He was a great music composer (Carnatic and Hindustani) and a major patron of fine arts at his Trivandrum court. He is credited with giving a more refined classical form to Mohiniyattam . Vadivelu (one of the Tanjore Quartet) also helped shape its choreography under Swati Tirunal's patronage.
Option 2 (Rajendra Chola): A medieval Chola emperor — not associated with Mohiniyattam development.
Option 3 (Rukmini Devi Arundale): Revived and popularised Bharatanatyam (not Mohiniyattam ); founded Kalakshetra in Chennai.
Option 4 (M.S. Subbulakshmi): The legendary Carnatic vocalist — not associated with Mohiniyattam development.

Correct Answer: Option 1 – Bison Horn Maria
Bison Horn Maria (also called Gond Maria dance) is a traditional tribal dance of the Maria Gond tribe of Bastar, Chhattisgarh. The dancers wear elaborate headdresses made from the horns of the Indian bison (gaur), hence the name. This ritualistic dance is performed during festivals, marriages, and community gatherings. It is one of the most distinctive folk dance traditions of Central India.
Option 2 (Gaddi Nati): Nati is the traditional folk dance of Himachal Pradesh, particularly the Kullu and Shimla regions; Gaddi Nati is performed by the Gaddi pastoral community of HP — not Chhattisgarh.
Option 3 (Baiga Pardhoni ): While the Baiga tribe is found in parts of Chhattisgarh and MP, 'Baiga Pardhoni ' specifically refers to a wedding-related folk dance. However, SSC's answer key identifies Bison Horn Maria as the primary Chhattisgarh dance in this question.
Option 4 ( Bagurumba ): A traditional folk dance of the Bodo tribe of Assam — not Chhattisgarh.

Correct Answer: Option 1 – Oppana
Oppana is a traditional Muslim folk dance of Kerala, performed primarily at weddings and other celebrations. It is performed by women around the bride — friends and relatives clap, sing, and dance in a semicircle around the seated bride. Oppana songs are typically in Mappila (Kerala Muslim) style, expressing joy and blessings for the bride. It is an important cultural tradition in Kerala's Muslim community.
Option 2 (Hojagiri): A traditional folk dance of the Reang (Bru) tribe of Tripura — performed on the occasion of Hojagiri festival; not from Kerala.
Option 3 (Giddha): A lively folk dance of Punjab women, performed at festivals and celebrations; not from Kerala.
Option 4 (Dhamyal): A folk music and dance tradition from Punjab/Rajasthan associated with Sufi culture; not a Kerala wedding tradition.

Correct Answer: Option 1 – Theyyam
Theyyam ( Teyyam ) is a ritualistic folk art form from northern Kerala (Kannur and Kasaragod districts), performed as a form of worship in which the performer embodies a deity or ancestral spirit. It features elaborate costumes, face paint, and towering headdresses. Theyyam is one of Kerala's most important ritual traditions, with over 400 forms documented.
Option 2 ( Dhol Cholom): A traditional drum dance of Manipur, not Kerala.
Option 3 ( Giddha ): A traditional folk dance of women from Punjab; performed at celebrations.
Option 4 (Bhangra): A vibrant harvest folk dance from Punjab, associated with Baisakhi festival; not from Kerala.

Correct Answer: Option 1 – Theyyam
Theyyam (also spelled Teyyam ) is a ritualistic folk art form from northern Kerala (Malabar coast), performed as a form of worship involving elaborate costumes, face paint, and headdresses. The performer embodies a deity or ancestral spirit. It is an ancient performing art associated with the communities of northern Kerala (Kannur and Kasaragod districts).
Option 2 ( Dhol Cholom): A traditional folk dance of Manipur, performed with drums ( dhol ); not from Kerala.
Option 3 ( Giddha ): A traditional folk dance of women from Punjab; performed at festivals and social gatherings.
Option 4 (Bhangra): A vibrant folk dance from Punjab, traditionally associated with the harvest festival Baisakhi; not from Kerala.

Correct Answer: Option 2 – Dandiya Raas
Dandiya Raas is the traditional stick dance of Gujarat performed during Navratri. Dancers use decorated sticks (dandiya) and perform rhythmic, coordinated movements in pairs or groups. It is also called 'The Sword Dance' as it originally depicted a mock fight between the goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura.
Option 1 (Garba): Also from Gujarat and performed during Navratri, but Garba involves clapping, graceful hand movements, and circular patterns around a lamp/image — no sticks are used.
Option 3 ( Kolattam ): A stick dance from Andhra Pradesh/Tamil Nadu, performed by women; not from Gujarat.
Option 4 (Perini Shivatandavam ): A classical dance form from Telangana dedicated to Lord Shiva; not from Gujarat and not a Navratri festival dance.