Who is known as the 'Father of Modern Dance' in India?
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Why D — Uday Shankar is the correct answer Uday Shankar precisely matches the cultural association asked in the question. Awards given to Uday Shankar: Sangeet Natak Akademi (1960), Padma Vibhushan (1971). Note: Uday Shankar was the famous sitar player Pandit Ravi Shankar's elder brother. The decisive clue is the exact pairing between the prompt and Uday Shankar, not merely a broad connection with Indian dance. Birju Maharaj: This is incorrect here because it does not match the specific association in the question. It belongs to a different dance tradition, performer, place, year, or cultural context and therefore acts as a distractor. Guru Bipin Singh: This is incorrect here because it does not match the specific association in the question. Gopi Krishna: This is incorrect here because it does not match the specific association in the question. The verified match is Uday Shankar. Final answer: D — Uday Shankar.
FAQ
Common questions and clear answers for this topic.
India has 8 classical dance forms: Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathak (Uttar Pradesh), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), Odissi (Odisha), Kathakali (Kerala), Manipuri (Manipur), Mohiniyattam (Kerala), and Sattriya (Assam). These are based on Natya Shastra by Bharata Muni and are asked in UPSC and SSC exams.
Bharatanatyam originates from Tamil Nadu and is one of India's oldest classical dance forms. It was traditionally performed in Hindu temples by devadasis and later popularized by Rukmini Devi Arundale. It expresses devotion through nritta (pure dance), nritya (expressive dance), and natya (dramatic elements).
Kathak is a classical dance form of North India characterized by fast footwork, spins (chakkar), and expressive storytelling. The word Kathak comes from Katha meaning story. It has three main gharanas: Lucknow Gharana (grace), Jaipur Gharana (vigorous footwork), and Banaras Gharana. Famous dancer: Birju Maharaj.
Important folk dances: Bhangra and Giddha (Punjab), Garba and Dandiya (Gujarat), Lavani (Maharashtra), Bihu (Assam), Chhau (Jharkhand/Odisha/West Bengal), Kalbelia and Ghoomar (Rajasthan), Yakshagana (Karnataka), Cheraw Bamboo Dance (Mizoram), Mohiniyattam (Kerala).
Kathakali is a classical dance-drama from Kerala known for its elaborate makeup, colorful costumes, and headdresses. It depicts stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The elaborate facial makeup uses natural colors: green for noble heroes, red and white for evil characters. The training starts in childhood and takes many years to master.