Art, Culture & Institutions • Topic 1 of 4

Dance, Music & Art Forms

India's eight classical dances and their homes: Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathak (North India/UP), Kathakali & Mohiniyattam (Kerala), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), Odissi (Odisha), Manipuri (Manipur), Sattriya (Assam). Classical music splits into Hindustani (north) and Carnatic (south).

The eight classical dances

DanceState
BharatanatyamTamil Nadu
KathakUttar Pradesh / North India
Kathakali, MohiniyattamKerala
KuchipudiAndhra Pradesh
OdissiOdisha
ManipuriManipur
SattriyaAssam
Two from Kerala. Kerala is the only state with two classical dances (Kathakali and Mohiniyattam) — a frequent SSC point. Classical music has two schools: Hindustani (north) and Carnatic (south).

Folk dances

Bhangra (Punjab), Garba (Gujarat), Bihu (Assam), Ghoomar (Rajasthan), Lavani (Maharashtra).

✅ Solved examples

1. Bharatanatyam is the classical dance of which state?
Tamil Nadu.
2. Kathakali and Mohiniyattam belong to which state?
Kerala.
3. Which classical dance is associated with Odisha?
Odissi.
4. Garba is a folk dance of which state?
Gujarat.

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. Kuchipudi is the classical dance of which state?
Telugu state.
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Andhra Pradesh
2. Bhangra is a folk dance of?
North-west India.
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Punjab
3. Sattriya dance belongs to which state?
North-east.
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Assam
4. The two main schools of Indian classical music are Hindustani and ___.
South Indian.
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Carnatic
5. Manipuri dance is from which state?
Name = state.
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Manipur

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

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