Boost your exam preparation with Important Dances of India – Static GK MCQs. This set of 20 unique multiple-choice questions with answers and explanations covers classical and folk dances of India. Perfect for UPSC, SSC, Railways, and other competitive exams.
Q1. The dance Kathakali originated from which Indian state?
a) Karnataka
b) Kerala
c) Tamil Nadu
d) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: b) Kerala
Explanation: Kathakali is a classical dance-drama from Kerala, known for elaborate costumes, painted faces, and expressive gestures. It narrates stories from epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, accompanied by music and percussion. The dance requires years of rigorous training and discipline.
Q2. The folk dance Bihu is associated with which state?
a) Assam
b) Manipur
c) Nagaland
d) Meghalaya
Answer: a) Assam
Explanation: Bihu is performed in Assam during the Bihu festival, which marks the Assamese New Year and harvest season. Dancers wear traditional colorful costumes, and the performance reflects joy, fertility, and agricultural prosperity, making it one of Assam’s most important cultural traditions.
Q3. The classical dance Bharatanatyam is primarily associated with which state?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Karnataka
c) Kerala
d) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: a) Tamil Nadu
Explanation: Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest Indian classical dances, originating in Tamil Nadu. Traditionally performed in temples, it expresses stories through intricate footwork, hand gestures (mudras), and facial expressions. It is deeply spiritual and represents devotion to Hindu deities.
Q4. The dance Yakshagana belongs to which region of India?
a) Maharashtra
b) Karnataka
c) Odisha
d) Gujarat
Answer: b) Karnataka
Explanation: Yakshagana is a traditional theatre and dance form of coastal Karnataka. It combines dance, music, dialogue, and elaborate costumes. The performances often last through the night and depict stories from Hindu epics. It is popular for its dramatic style.
Q5. The dance Lavani is popular in which Indian state?
a) Maharashtra
b) Rajasthan
c) Uttar Pradesh
d) Haryana
Answer: a) Maharashtra
Explanation: Lavani is a folk dance of Maharashtra performed to the beats of the dholki drum. It combines traditional music with powerful footwork and energetic movements. Lavani was historically used to entertain soldiers and is known for its rhythm and storytelling.
Q6. Sattriya, a classical dance, was introduced by which saint?
a) Kabir
b) Sankardev
c) Tulsidas
d) Vallabhacharya
Answer: b) Sankardev
Explanation: The Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardev introduced Sattriya in Assam in the 15th century. Performers present it in monasteries called Sattras and depict stories from the Bhagavata Purana. Recognized as a classical dance in 2000, it combines devotion and art.
Q7. The folk dance Ghoomar belongs to which state?
a) Gujarat
b) Rajasthan
c) Madhya Pradesh
d) Haryana
Answer: b) Rajasthan
Explanation: Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan performed by women wearing swirling ghagras (long skirts). Dancers move gracefully in circles, creating a mesmerizing effect. It is performed on festive occasions and is recognized globally as a symbol of Rajasthani culture.
Q8. The classical dance Manipuri represents which theme?
a) Tribal Hunting Rituals
b) Stories of Lord Krishna and Radha
c) Martial Arts
d) Village Life
Answer: b) Stories of Lord Krishna and Radha
Explanation: Manipuri is a classical dance from Manipur, depicting the love story of Krishna and Radha. It is devotional, graceful, and spiritual in nature. Women dancers wear unique cylindrical costumes, and the movements are soft and flowing, unlike other energetic dance forms.
Q9. The dance Garba is mainly performed during which festival?
a) Bihu
b) Navratri
c) Pongal
d) Holi
Answer: b) Navratri
Explanation: Garba is a folk dance of Gujarat performed during the festival of Navratri. Dancers move in circles around a lamp or idol of Goddess Durga, clapping rhythmically to devotional songs. It symbolizes the feminine divine power in Indian culture.
Q10. The dance Mohiniyattam originated in which state?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Kerala
c) Andhra Pradesh
d) Odisha
Answer: b) Kerala
Explanation: Mohiniyattam is a graceful classical dance from Kerala, performed by women. The name means “dance of the enchantress,” symbolizing the female form of Lord Vishnu. It combines elegant body movements with facial expressions and is performed in temples.
Q11. The dance Kalbelia is associated with which community?
a) Santhal
b) Kalbelia Snake Charmers of Rajasthan
c) Bhil
d) Lambadi
Answer: b) Kalbelia Snake Charmers of Rajasthan
Explanation: Kalbelia is a folk dance of Rajasthan performed by the Kalbelia community known for snake charming. Dancers wear black swirling skirts resembling snakes. In 2010, UNESCO recognized Kalbelia as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Q12. The classical dance Odissi developed in which temples?
a) Jagannath Temple, Puri
b) Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
c) Konark Sun Temple
d) Brihadeeswarar Temple
Answer: a) Jagannath Temple, Puri
Explanation: Odissi is a classical dance form from Odisha, developed as a temple dance in the Jagannath Temple, Puri. Known for its sculpturesque poses, graceful movements, and devotional themes, Odissi is one of the oldest surviving dance traditions in India.
Q13. The folk dance Bhangra is performed during which season?
a) Summer
b) Monsoon
c) Harvest (Spring)
d) Winter
Answer: c) Harvest (Spring)
Explanation: Bhangra is a lively folk dance from Punjab performed during the harvest festival of Baisakhi. Accompanied by the dhol drum, it expresses farmers’ joy after a good harvest. It has become internationally popular as a symbol of Punjabi culture.
Q14. The dance form Kuchipudi is native to which state?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Andhra Pradesh
c) Kerala
d) Karnataka
Answer: b) Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: Kuchipudi is a classical dance-drama from Andhra Pradesh, traditionally performed in temples. It combines fast footwork, expressive gestures, and storytelling. Originally performed by male Brahmins, it has now become one of India’s most recognized classical dances worldwide.
Q15. The martial dance Chhau is popular in which states?
a) Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand
b) Punjab and Haryana
c) Kerala and Tamil Nadu
d) Rajasthan and Gujarat
Answer: a) Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand
Explanation: Chhau is a semi-classical martial dance performed in eastern India, especially in Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand. It blends folk, tribal, and martial traditions. Performers wear large masks and enact stories from epics and mythology using vigorous movements.
Q16. The dance Rouf is associated with which region?
a) Punjab
b) Jammu and Kashmir
c) Himachal Pradesh
d) Uttarakhand
Answer: b) Jammu and Kashmir
Explanation: Rouf is a traditional dance of Jammu and Kashmir, performed mainly by women during festivals like Eid and harvest seasons. The dance involves rhythmic footwork and songs about nature, spring, and daily life. It reflects Kashmiri culture and joy.
Q17. The classical dance Kathak is believed to have originated from?
a) Gujarat
b) Northern India
c) Tamil Nadu
d) Odisha
Answer: b) Northern India
Explanation: Kathak originated in Northern India as a storytelling dance form by wandering bards known as Kathakars. It later evolved in Mughal courts, blending Hindu and Persian traditions. Kathak emphasizes spins, rhythmic footwork, and graceful storytelling through music and expressions.
Q18. The dance Gotipua, performed by young boys dressed as women, is a precursor to which classical dance?
a) Odissi
b) Kathak
c) Bharatanatyam
d) Kathakali
Answer: a) Odissi
Explanation: Gotipua is a traditional dance of Odisha where boys dress as women and perform devotional dances. It is considered a precursor to Odissi dance and reflects the spiritual devotion of Vaishnavism, particularly stories related to Lord Jagannath and Krishna.
Q19. The dance Dollu Kunitha belongs to which Indian state?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Karnataka
c) Andhra Pradesh
d) Maharashtra
Answer: b) Karnataka
Explanation: Men perform Dollu Kunitha, a drum dance of Karnataka, with synchronized movements. They tie large drums to their bodies and create energetic rhythms. They perform it during festivals and temple rituals to symbolize devotion and celebration in local traditions.
Q20. The dance Yakshagana uses which type of performance style?
a) Silent Ballet
b) Narrative Storytelling with Music and Dance
c) Pure Instrumental Performance
d) Puppet Show
Answer: b) Narrative Storytelling with Music and Dance
Explanation: Yakshagana uses a narrative style combining music, dance, and drama. Performances are based on epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana. The colorful costumes, expressive gestures, and dialogues make it a unique cultural performance popular in Karnataka and nearby regions.
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