[Solved] Folk Dances of India: States and Traditions | Concept & Explanation

Which one of the following pairs of folkdance forms and States is not correctly matched?

[UPSC CSE Pre. 1999]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Folk dances in India are deeply rooted in regional culture, agriculture, and tribal heritage, often performed during specific festivals or social gatherings.

Authentic Source Evidence

Thali is a traditional folk dance practiced in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, particularly during the Onam festival. It is not native to Himachal Pradesh.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Thali involves female dancers wearing circular metal plates (thalis) and symbolizes marital prosperity. Pair C is thus incorrect.

Logic 2: Korku is a tribal dance of the Korku community in Maharashtra and MP. Jhumar is a harvest dance found in Punjab/Haryana. Mukna is a rhythmic wrestling-dance hybrid unique to Manipur.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What distinguishes Mukna from other folk dances?"

Mukna is unique because it integrates the techniques of traditional wrestling with rhythmic performance art.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"Folk dances like Thali often utilize domestic objects as ritualistic symbols of domestic well-being and auspiciousness."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Analysing authentic UPSC CSE Pre.previous year questions is non-negotiable for serious aspirants. Thoroughly decoding past exam trends related to Indian Folk Traditions helps you understand the examiner's mindset. Mastering specific entities like Thali dance Kerala and Korku dance builds the analytical intuition needed to clear the exam. Practice Previous Year Questions here →