Q41. The Gair dance is most fervently performed during the celebration of which major Indian festival?
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 41–50 of 90 questions
Q42. Read the following statements regarding the Walar dance and select the correct option.
Statement I: The Walar dance is a slow-paced dance where the rhythm is maintained purely by the clapping of hands and the footsteps of the dancers.
Statement II: The Walar dance begins with a man holding an umbrella or sword in the center of the dancing circles.
Statement I: The Walar dance is a slow-paced dance where the rhythm is maintained purely by the clapping of hands and the footsteps of the dancers.
Statement II: The Walar dance begins with a man holding an umbrella or sword in the center of the dancing circles.
Explanation
Walar is a slow-paced dance where the Garasiya performers maintain the rhythm purely through their footsteps and hand clapping, without instrumental aid. A distinctive feature is the start of the dance, where a man stands in the center of the circles holding an umbrella or a sword, signaling the commencement of the rhythmic movement. This highlights the ceremonial nature of the tradition.
Q43. Match List I with List II regarding variants of Gair dance and their specific regions.
| Variant of Gair Dance | Region in Rajasthan |
|---|---|
| A. Dandi Gair | i. Barmer |
| B. Geendad (similar to Gair) | ii. Mewar |
| C. Kanaana Gair | iii. Shekhawati |
| D. Mewari Gair | iv. Marwar |
Explanation
Gair dance has several regional variants across Rajasthan. Dandi Gair is popular in Marwar, while Geendad, which shares similarities with Gair, is characteristic of Shekhawati. Kanaana Gair is a famous specific tradition in the Barmer region, and Mewari Gair represents the style practiced in the Mewar region. These variants differ in their costume, stick length, and specific rhythmic patterns.
Q44. Which of the following dances is the odd one out because it is traditionally performed by women only, unlike the others which involve men?
Explanation
Ghoomar is traditionally a female-only dance performed on auspicious occasions and festivals like Gangaur. In contrast, dances like Gair and Geendad are predominantly performed by men, and Walar involves both men and women in concentric circles. Ghoomar’s status as a quintessentially feminine expression of Rajasthani culture makes it the odd one out among these forms which involve male participation.
Q45. The traditional string puppet theatre of Rajasthan is universally known by which of the following names?
Explanation
Kathputli is the world-famous traditional string puppet theatre of Rajasthan. The name is derived from ‘Kath’ (wood) and ‘Putli’ (doll). This art form is a significant part of the state’s cultural identity, used for centuries to narrate historical legends, myths, and social stories. Unlike shadow or glove puppets, Kathputli uses a unique string manipulation technique to animate wooden figures.
Q46. Consider the following characteristics of the Kathputli tradition:
I. The puppets are carved from a single piece of mango or fig wood.
II. The puppets typically do not have lower limbs or legs.
III. The puppeteer uses a sophisticated 15-string mechanism to control the puppet.
IV. The play is accompanied by a screeching sound made by a bamboo instrument called ‘Boli’.
V. The Bhat community is primarily associated with this art form.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. The puppets are carved from a single piece of mango or fig wood.
II. The puppets typically do not have lower limbs or legs.
III. The puppeteer uses a sophisticated 15-string mechanism to control the puppet.
IV. The play is accompanied by a screeching sound made by a bamboo instrument called ‘Boli’.
V. The Bhat community is primarily associated with this art form.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Kathputli puppets are carved from wood, lack lower limbs, and are narrated with the help of a ‘Boli’ whistle by the Bhat community. However, they do not use a complex fifteen-string mechanism. Instead, they are traditionally controlled by a very simple system of just two or three strings attached to the hands and head, demonstrating the puppeteer’s incredible skill.
Q47. The decline in the traditional patronage of the Kathputli art form during the late 19th and 20th centuries was primarily an effect of which cause?
Explanation
The decline in traditional patronage for Kathputli during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries was largely driven by the emergence of modern entertainment like cinema and television. These new media forms provided faster-paced and more diverse content, drawing audiences away from traditional village puppet shows. As a result, many Bhat families lost their hereditary patrons and sought alternative livelihoods.
Q48. Match List I with List II regarding Kathputli theatre elements.
| Kathputli Character/Element | Role/Description |
|---|---|
| A. Sutradhar | i. The most famous historical hero depicted in plays |
| B. Boli | ii. The percussion instrument setting the rhythm |
| C. Amar Singh Rathore | iii. The lead puppeteer and narrator |
| D. Dholak | iv. The bamboo reed whistle used for puppet voices |
Explanation
In Kathputli theatre, the Sutradhar is the lead puppeteer and narrator who controls the action. The Boli is a small bamboo reed whistle used to produce the high-pitched voices of the puppets. Amar Singh Rathore is the most iconic historical hero featured in these plays, and the dholak is the essential percussion instrument that sets the rhythmic pace.
Q49. Which famous historical figure’s life and legendary exploits form the most dominant and recurring theme in traditional Kathputli plays of Rajasthan?
Explanation
The life and legendary bravery of Amar Singh Rathore, a seventeenth-century noble of Nagaur, is the most dominant and recurring theme in traditional Rajasthani Kathputli plays. His defiance of the Mughal court and his ultimate valor are depicted through dramatic puppet sequences. This narrative has become the standard repertoire for puppeteers, ensuring that his story remains a central folk memory.
Q50. Which of the following statements about the Kathputli stage setup (Taj Mahal) is incorrect?
Explanation
Traditional Kathputli stages, often called ‘Taj Mahal’ due to their arched front, are simple and portable. They are typically constructed using vertical charpoys and colorful fabrics, with a dark backdrop to conceal the strings. They do not require modern electronic lighting or mechanized curtains, as the art form evolved to be performed in rural settings using basic available materials.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (c) Holi |
| 42 | (c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct |
| 43 | (a) A-iv, B-iii, C-i, D-ii |
| 44 | (a) Ghoomar |
| 45 | (c) Kathputli |
| 46 | (a) III only |
| 47 | (b) Emergence of modern media like cinema and television. |
| 48 | (a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
| 49 | (d) Amar Singh Rathore |
| 50 | (a) The stage requires elaborate electronic lighting and mechanized curtains. |
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.