Q31. The Terah Taali dance of Rajasthan is a famous devotional performance primarily offered in reverence to which local deity?
Performing Arts of Rajasthan: RAS Prelims MCQs
90 RAS Prelims MCQs on the performing arts of Rajasthan test dances, communities, instruments and artists. Kalbelia, Chari, Bhavai, Gair and Terah Taali are asked with the group that performs them and the occasion, along with the string-puppet art of Kathputli, so learn every art form with its community and region.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 31–40 of 90 questions
Q32. Match List I with List II regarding the elements of Terah Taali.
| Elements of Terah Taali | Description |
|---|---|
| A. Kamad | i. The primary instrument struck during the dance |
| B. Manjira | ii. The community that traditionally performs the dance |
| C. Ramdevra | iii. The number of cymbals tied to the dancer’s body |
| D. Thirteen | iv. The principal pilgrimage site where it is performed |
Explanation
Terah Taali involves the Kamad community using manjiras (cymbals) as the primary instrument. The name ‘Terah Taali’ refers to the thirteen manjiras tied to the dancer’s body, which are struck in rhythmic patterns. Ramdevra is the principal pilgrimage site associated with this tradition, where these devotional performances are most prominently staged during religious festivals honoring Baba Ramdevji.
Q33. The women of the Kamad community tie manjiras to their bodies during a Terah Taali performance. Specifically, how many manjiras are tied to the right leg?
Explanation
In a traditional Terah Taali performance, a total of thirteen manjiras are used. A specific arrangement is followed where nine manjiras are tied to the right leg, typically from the ankle to above the knee. The remaining four are tied to the arms and held in the hands. This asymmetry allows for the complex cross-rhythmic striking that characterizes the performance.
Q34. Which of the following statements about Terah Taali is correct?
Explanation
A unique and charming feature of the Terah Taali dance is the inclusion of mimetic actions where the dancer simulates everyday domestic chores. These include activities like churning butter, grinding wheat, and spinning yarn, all performed while maintaining the rhythmic striking of the manjiras. This blending of spiritual devotion with the depiction of rural life is a hallmark.
Q35. Consider the following statements about Terah Taali:
I. It is performed as an offering during the Ramdevji fair.
II. Male accompanists sing devotional songs (bhajans) and play the tandoora.
III. The dance originated in the Shekhawati region.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It is performed as an offering during the Ramdevji fair.
II. Male accompanists sing devotional songs (bhajans) and play the tandoora.
III. The dance originated in the Shekhawati region.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Terah Taali is a central feature of the Ramdevji fair, where Kamad women dance while men play the tandoora and sing devotional bhajans. This creates a complete spiritual atmosphere. While it is popular across western Rajasthan, it did not originate in the Shekhawati region, which is better known for its own distinct folk forms like the Geendad dance.
Q36. Which of the following actions is NOT typically simulated or mimed by a dancer during a traditional Terah Taali performance?
Explanation
During a Terah Taali performance, the dancer uses graceful hand movements to mime traditional household tasks such as kneading dough, spinning a charkha, and churning curd. These actions are synchronized with the rhythmic clashing of cymbals. However, riding a camel is not a standard part of this domestic-themed mimetic repertoire, as the dance focuses more on sedentary, everyday tasks.
Q37. If an event manager wants to organize an authentic Terah Taali performance for a cultural festival, they must ensure the performers are equipped with which essential set of props/ instruments?
Explanation
For an authentic Terah Taali performance, the essential equipment includes thirteen manjiras for the dancer, and the tandoora and dholak for the male accompanists. The tandoora provides the melodic drone and rhythm for the devotional songs, while the manjiras are the primary tool for the dancer’s rhythmic expression, making this ensemble vital for the ritualistic performance of the art.
Q38. The Gair dance, known for its vibrant circular formations and stick-beating rhythms, is primarily the traditional dance of which tribal community in Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Gair dance is a traditional folk dance of the Bhil community, one of Rajasthan’s oldest tribal groups. It is characterized by men dancing in circular formations while striking wooden sticks together. The dance is a powerful display of community bonding and rhythmic precision, typically performed during festivals. It reflects the vibrant tribal heritage of the Mewar and Marwar regions.
Q39. Consider the following statements regarding the Walar dance:
I. It is famously performed by the Garasiya tribe.
II. It is unique because it is performed without any musical instruments.
III. It involves two concentric circles of men and women.
IV. It is characterized by rapid, violent, and highly aggressive movements.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It is famously performed by the Garasiya tribe.
II. It is unique because it is performed without any musical instruments.
III. It involves two concentric circles of men and women.
IV. It is characterized by rapid, violent, and highly aggressive movements.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Walar dance is a graceful performance by the Garasiya tribe, unique for being performed without any musical instruments. It involves two concentric circles of men and women who maintain the rhythm through synchronized clapping and footsteps. Unlike many high-energy tribal dances, Walar is known for its slow, dignified, and measured movements, rather than rapid or aggressive physical actions.
Q40. Identify the incorrect pair regarding tribal dances of Rajasthan.
Explanation
The Gavari dance-drama is a major cultural tradition of the Bhil tribe, not the Meena tribe. It is a ritualistic performance dedicated to Goddess Gauri and lasts for forty days during the monsoon. Other pairings, such as Walar with the Garasiya, Gair with the Bhil, and Chari with the Gujjar, are culturally accurate and represent the diverse folk heritage of various communities.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (c) Ramdevji |
| 32 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 33 | (b) Nine |
| 34 | (c) It involves miming daily chores like churning butter and grinding wheat. |
| 35 | (a) I and II only |
| 36 | (a) Riding a camel |
| 37 | (b) Manjiras, Tandoora, and Dholak |
| 38 | (b) Bhil |
| 39 | (a) I, II, and III |
| 40 | (c) Gavari - Meena tribe |
Key facts from Performing Arts of Rajasthan
- Kalbelia songs and dances were inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List in 2010; Gulabo Sapera made the dance known worldwide.
- The Chari dance of the Ajmer-Kishangarh region, with balanced lit pots, is associated with the exponent Falaku Bai.
- Bhavai is known for its acrobatic balancing acts.
- The Gair dance is performed during Holi; the Bhil community is traditionally linked with it.
- Terah Taali is a devotional dance performed in reverence to Ramdevji by the Kamad community.
- Kathputli is the string puppet theatre of Rajasthan, and Amar Singh Rathore is a recurring theme.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Performing Arts of Rajasthan?
This page has 90 practice MCQs on Performing Arts of Rajasthan (Rajasthan History, Art and Culture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which Rajasthan dance is on the UNESCO list?
Kalbelia, whose songs and dances were inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. The art belongs to the Kalbelia community, traditionally linked with snake charming.
Who is Gulabo Sapera?
Gulabo Sapera is a Kalbelia artist who popularised the dance form on the global stage. Her performances took the swaying, serpent-like movements of Kalbelia to audiences abroad and helped it win international recognition.
Which Rajasthani deity is honoured in Terah Taali?
Ramdevji, the folk deity. The Kamad community women tie cymbals called manjiras to their bodies and strike them in rhythm while they sit and sing, which is why the performance is named Terah Taali.