Dance Top 100 MCQs With Answer and Explanation

1. According to the Natya Shastra, the basic aspect of dance that denotes grace, bhava, rasa, and abhinaya is _______.
A) Tandava
B) Natya
C) Lasya
D) Nritya

2. The dance aspect symbolic to the male features of dance and emphasizing rhythm and movement, as per Natya Shastra, is_________.
A) Lasya
B) Tandava
C) Nritta
D) Natya

3. Which of the following ‘Rasas’ (Emotions) mentioned in the text corresponds to ‘Peace and tranquillity’?
A) Shringaara
B) Shaant
C) Karuna
D) Adbhuta

4. The ‘Rasa’ corresponding to ‘Laughter and comedy’ is is_________.
A) Roudra
B) Bibhatsa
C) Veera
D) Haasya

5. The basic element of dance mentioned in Abhinaya Darpan that involves only basic dance steps without any expression or mood is _________.
A) Nritta
B) Nritya
C) Natya
D) Tandava

6. The basic element of dance mentioned in Abhinaya Darpan that is described as ‘Dramatic representations elaborated through dance’ is _________.
A) Nritta
B) Natya
C) Nritya
D) Lasya

7. The basic element of dance mentioned in Abhinaya Darpan concerning ‘Sentiment and the emotions evoked through dance’ is _________.
A) Nritta
B) Natya
C) Nritya
D) Bhava

8. Which classical dance form originates from Tamil Nadu?
A) Kathakali
B) Mohiniattam
C) Bharatnatyam
D) Kuchipudi

9. Kathakali and Mohiniattam are classical dance forms originating from which state?
A) Tamil Nadu B. C. D.
B) Andhra Pradesh
C) Kerala
D) Karnataka

10. Kuchipudi is a classical dance form that originated in _________.
A) Odisha
B) Andhra Pradesh
C) Karnataka
D) Uttar Pradesh

11. The Ministry of Culture has recognized how many classical dance forms, including Chhau?
A) Seven B. C. D.
B) Eight
C) Nine
D) Ten

12. The classical dance of Uttar Pradesh mentioned is _________.
A) Odissi
B) Kathak
C) Sattriya
D) Manipuri

13. Sattriya, a classical dance form, is associated with which state?
A) Odisha
B) Manipur
C) Assam
D) West Bengal

14. The classical dance that derives its name from ‘Bharata Muni’ and where ‘natyam’ means dance is _________.
A) Kathakali
B) Odissi
C) Bharatnatyam
D) Kuchipudi

15. The older name for the Bharatnatyam solo dance performance by temple dancers/devadasis was _________.
A) Dashiattam
B) Nartala
C) Sadir
D) Manduk shabdam

16. Bharatnatyam was also referred to as _________.
A) Ekcharya lasyam
B) Dashiattam
C) Odra nritya
D) Nartala

17. The feature of Bharatnatyam where movements resemble a flame in the human body is referred to as _________.
A) Lasya
B) Fire dance
C) Thillana
D) Tarangam

18. The concluding performance element of Bharatnatyam is _________.
A) Padam
B) Jawali
C) Thillana
D) Varnam

19. In Bharatnatyam, which element is the Nritta component devoid of expressions?
A) Alarippu
B) Jatiswaram
C) Shabdam
D) Varnam

20. The introductory piece of Bharatnatyam to seek blessings of God is _________.
A) Thillana
B) Padam
C) Alarippu
D) Shabdam

21. The Nritya component of Bharatnatyam having dance and emotions is _________.
A) Jatiswaram
B) Shabdam
C) Varnam
D) Padam

22. The hasta mudra in Bharatnatyam where three fingers are joined to symbolise ‘Om’ is called _________.
A) Naga Bandha mudra
B) Kataka Mukha Hasta
C) Tribhanga
D) Chowk

23. Which freedom fighter is credited with the revival of Bharatnatyam?
A) Siddhendra Yogi
B) E. Krishna Iyer
C) V. N. Menon
D) Raja Bhag Chandra

24. Kuchipudi derives its name from the village _________.
A) Bharata Muni
B) Kusselavapuri or Kuchelapuram
C) Lai Haraoba
D) Sattras

25. The person who formalized the Kuchipudi tradition in the 17th century was _________.
A) Siddhendra Yogi
B) Balasaraswati
C) E. Krishna Iyer
D) Jayadeva

26. The male temple dancers of Kuchipudi, whose themes are Bhagavat purana stories, are called _________.
A) Gotipuas
B) Bhagavathalu
C) Bhokots
D) Devadasis

27. Kuchipudi was patronized by the rulers of _________.
A) Vijayanagar and Golconda
B) Mysore and Jaipur
C) Lucknow and Banaras
D) Travancore and Cochin

28. Which Rasa is predominant in Kuchipudi ?
A) Karuna
B) Veera
C) Roudra
D) Shringaara

29. The element in Kuchipudi where characters introduce themselves with dance and song is called _________.
A) Daaru
B) Tarangam
C) Manduk shabdam
D) Jala Chitra Nrityam

30. The Kuchipudi element where the dancer performs with feet on the edges of a brass plate is _________.
A) Manduk shabdam
B) Tarangam
C) Daaru
D) Jala Chitra Nrityam

31. Which Kuchipudi solo element tells the story of a frog?
A) Tarangam
B) Daaru
C) Manduk shabdam
D) Jala Chitra Nrityam

32. The Kuchipudi element where the dancer draws pictures on the floor with their toes is _________.
A) Tarangam
B) Manduk shabdam
C) Jala Chitra Nrityam
D) Daaru

33. Which Carnatic music instrument accompanies the Kuchipudi recital?
A) Flute and Sitar
B) Violin and Mridgangam
C) Pakhawaj and Manjira
D) Khol and Cymbals

34. Mohiniattam literally means _________.
A) The dance of a Devadasi
B) The dance of an Enchantress
C) The dance of a Peacock
D) The story in dance

35. Mohiniattam combines the grace and elegance of Bharatnatyam with the vigour of which other dance form?
A) Odissi
B) Kathak
C) Kathakali
D) Kuchipudi

36. Which aspect of dance is dominant in Mohiniattam, and why is it mainly performed by female dancers?
A) Tandava aspect (rhythm, movement)
B) Lasya aspect (beauty, grace)
C) Nritta aspect (steps, no expression)
D) Natya aspect (drama)

37. The costumes for Mohiniattam are typically ________.
A) Black and red with head gear
B) White and off-white sarees with gold color brocade
C) Rainbow-like costumes
D) Long skirts with thin veil

38. Who is credited with the revival of Mohiniattam, along with Kalyani Amma?
A) Siddhendra Yogi
B) E. Krishna Iyer
C) V. N. Menon
D) Balasaraswati

39. Kathakali is also called as the ________.
A) Story of the South
B) Ballad of the east
C) Dance of the temple
D) Martial dance of Kerala

40. Kathakali evolved from which two dance-dramas?
A) Mohiniattam and Koodiyattam
B) Ramanattam and Krishnattam
C) Koodiyattam and Theyyam
D) Thang-Ta and Sankirtana

41. Kathakali performance is essentially characterized by an all-male troupe and ________.
A) Elaborate props
B) Minimal use of props, elaborate facial make up with head gear
C) Feet on the edges of a brass plate
D) Covering the faces with a thin veil

42. In Kathakali, the facial color that signifies ‘Nobility, divinity and virtue’ is ________.
A) Red
B) Black
C) Green
D) Yellow

43. In Kathakali, what do red patches beside the nose signify?
A) Evil and wickedness
B) Royalty
C) Higher consciousness and divinity
D) Saints and women

44. A completely red painted face in Kathakali signifies ________.
A) Virtue
B) Evil
C) Nobility
D) Saints

45. The language used in Kathakali is Manipravalam, which is a mixture of ________.
A) Tamil and Sanskrit
B) Malayalam and Sanskrit
C) Telugu and Sanskrit
D) Hindi and Persian

46. The musical instruments accompanying Kathakali generally include ________.
A) Violin and Mridgangam
B) Pung and Khartals
C) Drums, chhenda and maddala
D) Veena and Flute

47. The earliest example of Odissi dance can be found in the ________.
A) Udayagiri-Khandagiri caves
B) Konark Temple
C) Khajuraho Temple
D) Elephanta caves

48. In Odissi, young boys dressed as females who perform the dance are called ________.
A) Bhagavathalu
B) Bhokots
C) Gotipuas
D) Maharis

49. The variant of Odissi practiced at royal courts is known as ________.
A) Odra nritya
B) Nartala
C) Moksha
D) Tribhanga

50. Which posture in Odissi is the three-bended form of the body?
A) Chowk
B) Tribhanga
C) Naga Bandha mudra
D) Kataka Mukha Hasta

51. Matki dance is a popular folk dance of—
A) Madhya Pradesh
B) Rajasthan
C) Haryana
D) Gujarat
Answer: a) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation: Matki is a traditional folk dance of Madhya Pradesh where women balance pots (matki) on their heads.

52. The “Mask dance” of Ladakh is also called—
A) Cham dance
B) Bihu dance
C) Raslila
D) Yakshagana
Answer: a) Cham dance
Explanation: Cham is a sacred Buddhist mask dance performed in monasteries of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.

53. Chitrakathi dance-drama is associated with—
A) Maharashtra
B) Uttar Pradesh
C) Odisha
D) Gujarat
Answer: a) Maharashtra
Explanation: Chitrakathi is a folk theatre form of Maharashtra using painted pictures to narrate stories.

54. The “Paika dance” is a martial folk dance of—
A) Odisha
B) Assam
C) Manipur
D) Rajasthan
Answer: a) Odisha
Explanation: Paika is a martial dance of Odisha performed with swords and shields.

55. Jatra is a traditional folk theatre form of—
A) West Bengal
B) Odisha
C) Assam
D) Bihar
Answer: a) West Bengal
Explanation: Jatra is a popular folk theatre with dance and songs from West Bengal.

56. “Mayurbhanj Chhau” is famous in which state?
A) Odisha
B) Jharkhand
C) West Bengal
D) Chhattisgarh
Answer: a) Odisha
Explanation: Mayurbhanj district of Odisha is known for its unique Chhau dance without masks.

57. Koodiyattam is a traditional dance-drama of—
A) Kerala
B) Karnataka
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Odisha
Answer: a) Kerala
Explanation: Koodiyattam is the Sanskrit theatre of Kerala, recognized by UNESCO.

58. Teratali dance is associated with—
A) Rajasthan
B) Haryana
C) Punjab
D) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: a) Rajasthan
Explanation: Teratali is performed by women of the Kamad community of Rajasthan using cymbals tied to their body.

59. The “Raut Nacha” dance is dedicated to which deity?
A) Lord Rama
B) Lord Krishna
C) Lord Shiva
D) Goddess Durga
Answer: b) Lord Krishna
Explanation: Raut Nacha is performed by Yadavs of Chhattisgarh to honor Krishna.

60. Kaudi (or Koodi) dance is popular in—
A) Haryana
B) Karnataka
C) Odisha
D) Tamil Nadu
Answer: a) Haryana
Explanation: Kaudi dance is performed by women of Haryana during festivals.

61. Kinnauri Nati is a folk dance of—
A) Himachal Pradesh
B) Uttarakhand
C) Punjab
D) Haryana
Answer: a) Himachal Pradesh
Explanation: Nati is a popular folk dance of Himachal Pradesh, performed in groups.

62. Ali-Ai-Ligang is a festival dance of which tribe in Assam?
A) Bodo tribe
B) Mishing tribe
C) Khasi tribe
D) Garo tribe
Answer: b) Mishing tribe
Explanation: Ali-Ai-Ligang is the agricultural dance of the Mishing tribe of Assam.

63. The “Giddha” dance is performed by women of—
A) Punjab
B) Haryana
C) Gujarat
D) Rajasthan
Answer: a) Punjab
Explanation: Giddha is a lively dance of Punjabi women, counterpart of men’s Bhangra.

64. Which folk dance is known as the “harvest dance of Tamil Nadu”?
A) Karagattam
B) Kavadi
C) Oyilattam
D) Poikkal Kuthirai
Answer: a) Karagattam
Explanation: Karagattam is performed balancing pots on the head, dedicated to rain goddess Mariamman.

65. Sikkim’s “Yak dance” is performed during—
A) Losar festival
B) Diwali
C) Bihu
D) Holi
Answer: a) Losar festival
Explanation: Yak dance is performed in Sikkim during the Tibetan New Year (Losar).

66. Ghoomar dance was historically performed by—
A) Rajput women of Rajasthan
B) Kalbelia snake charmers
C) Bodo tribe of Assam
D) Devadasis of Tamil Nadu
Answer: a) Rajput women of Rajasthan
Explanation: Ghoomar was performed by Rajput women after marriage in royal households.

67. The “Kummi” dance belongs to—
A) Tamil Nadu
B) Andhra Pradesh
C) Kerala
D) Karnataka
Answer: a) Tamil Nadu
Explanation: Kummi is one of the oldest folk dances of Tamil Nadu, performed by women in circles.

68. Which dance form is associated with the “Bhuta Kola” ritual?
A) Karnataka
B) Kerala
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Odisha
Answer: a) Karnataka
Explanation: Bhuta Kola is a spirit worship ritual dance of coastal Karnataka.

69. Vasantharaj dance is performed in—
A) Andhra Pradesh
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Karnataka
D) Kerala
Answer: b) Tamil Nadu
Explanation: Vasantharaj is a seasonal folk dance of Tamil Nadu performed in spring.

70. Chholiya dance is a traditional dance of—
A) Uttarakhand
B) Himachal Pradesh
C) Punjab
D) Haryana
Answer: a) Uttarakhand
Explanation: Chholiya is a sword dance of Kumaon region in Uttarakhand, performed in weddings.

71. Jogwa dance is associated with which state?
A) Maharashtra
B) Odisha
C) Karnataka
D) Rajasthan
Answer: a) Maharashtra
Explanation: Jogwa is a devotional dance in Maharashtra associated with Goddess Yellamma.

72. Karma Naach is performed by which community?
A) Oraon tribe
B) Bhil tribe
C) Garo tribe
D) Khasi tribe
Answer: a) Oraon tribe
Explanation: Karma Naach is a tribal dance of the Oraon community of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.

73. The “Patiala Gharana” is famous for which classical dance form?
A) Kathak
B) Bharatnatyam
C) Odissi
D) Kathakali
Answer: a) Kathak
Explanation: Kathak has several gharanas (schools), including Lucknow, Jaipur, and Patiala.

74. Which state performs the “Dumhal” dance with a flag ritual?
A) Jammu & Kashmir
B) Uttarakhand
C) Punjab
D) Himachal Pradesh
Answer: a) Jammu & Kashmir
Explanation: Dumhal is performed by Wattal tribe of Kashmir where dancers carry a tall banner.

75. Oppana is a dance form associated with—
A) Kerala
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Andhra Pradesh
D) Karnataka
Answer: a) Kerala
Explanation: Oppana is a Muslim community dance in Kerala, performed during weddings.

76. Poikkal Kuthirai is a folk dance of—
A) Tamil Nadu
B) Karnataka
C) Kerala
D) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: a) Tamil Nadu
Explanation: Poikkal Kuthirai is a “dummy horse” dance of Tamil Nadu where dancers tie wooden legs and imitate horse movements.

77. Haryanvi folk dance “Khoria” is performed on the occasion of—
A) Harvest
B) Weddings
C) New Year
D) Holi
Answer: b) Weddings
Explanation: Khoria is performed by women of Haryana during marriage celebrations.

78. Dhol Cholom is a drum dance of—
A) Manipur
B) Assam
C) Nagaland
D) Mizoram
Answer: a) Manipur
Explanation: Dhol Cholom is performed during Holi in Manipur with drums and acrobatics.

79. Which classical dance form is related to “Krishna Leela” themes?
A) Manipuri
B) Kathak
C) Odissi
D) All of these
Answer: d) All of these
Explanation: Many classical dances like Manipuri, Kathak, and Odissi narrate Krishna’s stories.

80. Which dance is called the “Dance of Courtesans”?
A) Kathak
B) Mohiniyattam
C) Bharatnatyam
D) Lavani
Answer: a) Kathak
Explanation: Kathak, once performed in royal courts, was also called the courtesan dance due to its storytelling style.

81. Which is the national dance of India (as per many scholars)?
A) Bharatnatyam
B) Kathak
C) Kathakali
D) Odissi
Answer: a) Bharatnatyam
Explanation: Bharatnatyam is considered the oldest and often regarded as the national dance of India.

82. The “Cheraw dance” uses which unique prop?
A) Bamboo sticks
B) Swords
C) Wooden masks
D) Lamps
Answer: a) Bamboo sticks
Explanation: Cheraw, the bamboo dance of Mizoram, uses bamboo poles tapped on the ground.

83. Which state performs the “Kali Nach”?
A) West Bengal
B) Odisha
C) Assam
D) Bihar
Answer: a) West Bengal
Explanation: Kali Nach is a devotional dance of West Bengal dedicated to Goddess Kali.

84. Chhau dance themes are mainly taken from—
A) Ramayana and Mahabharata
B) Folk tales
C) Nature worship
D) All of these
Answer: d) All of these
Explanation: Chhau combines mythological stories, folklore, and tribal traditions.

85. Which dance is known as “Snake dance” of Kerala?
A) Thullal
B) Pulikali
C) Thiruvathirakali
D) Kaalamezhuthu
Answer: b) Pulikali
Explanation: Pulikali is Kerala’s tiger and snake imitation dance performed during Onam.

86. Which folk dance is performed during Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra?
A) Dindi and Kala
B) Lavani
C) Tamasha
D) Jogwa
Answer: a) Dindi and Kala
Explanation: Dindi and Kala are devotional dances dedicated to Lord Vithoba during Ganesh Chaturthi.

87. The “Hojagiri” dance involves balancing—
A) Pots and bottles
B) Lamps
C) Bamboo sticks
D) Spears
Answer: a) Pots and bottles
Explanation: In Tripura’s Hojagiri, women balance earthen pitchers, bottles, and lamps while dancing.

88. “Alkap” is a rural dance-drama form of—
A) West Bengal
B) Bihar
C) Odisha
D) Assam
Answer: a) West Bengal
Explanation: Alkap is a satirical folk dance-drama of rural Bengal.

89. Mohiniyattam literally means—
A) Dance of the Enchantress
B) Dance of the Warrior
C) Dance of Devotion
D) Dance of the Gods
Answer: a) Dance of the Enchantress
Explanation: Mohiniyattam in Malayalam means “dance of Mohini,” the enchantress form of Vishnu.

90. Which Indian dance was inscribed in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2010?
A) Kalbelia (Rajasthan)
B) Kathakali (Kerala)
C) Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh)
D) Manipuri (Manipur)
Answer: a) Kalbelia (Rajasthan)
Explanation: Kalbelia dance of Rajasthan was added to UNESCO’s heritage list in 2010.

91. Which folk dance is performed during “Lohri” festival?
A) Bhangra & Giddha
B) Lavani
C) Rouf
D) Karma
Answer: a) Bhangra & Giddha
Explanation: Lohri in Punjab is celebrated with energetic Bhangra and Giddha.

92. The “Thullal” dance form was introduced by—
A) Kunchan Nambiar
B) Vallathol Narayana Menon
C) Sankardev
D) Eknath
Answer: a) Kunchan Nambiar
Explanation: Thullal is a satirical art form of Kerala created by poet Kunchan Nambiar.

93. The “Gotipua” dance is a precursor of which classical dance?
A) Odissi
B) Kathak
C) Manipuri
D) Mohiniyattam
Answer: a) Odissi
Explanation: Gotipua, performed by boys, is considered the foundation of Odissi dance.

94. “Mudiyettu” is a ritual dance-drama of—
A) Kerala
B) Karnataka
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: a) Kerala
Explanation: Mudiyettu is a ritualistic dance-drama of Kerala based on Goddess Kali’s victory over Darika.

95. Which dance is performed during harvest in Bihar and eastern UP?
A) Jat-Jatin
B) Raslila
C) Chhau
D) Alkap
Answer: a) Jat-Jatin
Explanation: Jat-Jatin is a duet folk dance from Bihar and eastern UP performed post-harvest.

96. Bardo Chham is a dance of—
A) Arunachal Pradesh
B) Sikkim
C) Manipur
D) Nagaland
Answer: a) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation: Bardo Chham is a mask dance of Arunachal Pradesh depicting good and evil.

97. Phulkari is not only an embroidery but also a dance of—
A) Punjab
B) Haryana
C) Rajasthan
D) Himachal Pradesh
Answer: a) Punjab
Explanation: Phulkari embroidery is celebrated in Punjab’s folk dances like Giddha.

98. Who is known as the “Father of Kathak”?
A) Birju Maharaj
B) Shambhu Maharaj
C) Bindadin Maharaj
D) Sitara Devi
Answer: c) Bindadin Maharaj
Explanation: Bindadin Maharaj, founder of Lucknow gharana, is regarded as the father of modern Kathak.

99. Which state celebrates “Wangala dance” (100 drum festival)?
A) Meghalaya
B) Nagaland
C) Mizoram
D) Assam
Answer: a) Meghalaya
Explanation: Wangala is the harvest festival of the Garo tribe in Meghalaya with 100 drums.

100. The “Satriya” dance was revived by which saint-scholar?
A) Srimanta Sankardev
B) Vallabhacharya
C) Tulsidas
D) Basavanna
Answer: a) Srimanta Sankardev
Explanation: Srimanta Sankardev of Assam developed and popularized Sattriya as a Vaishnavite dance-drama tradition.