Six Classical Dances of India Reading Answers

Jan 15, 2025

Six Classical Dances of India is a generic topic for IELTS Reading Answers. Six Classical Dances of India Reading Answers has a total of 6 IELTS questions. In the given set of questions, you have to match all the appropriate dance forms with the suitable statement. Also, give the answers in One Word only.

The IELTS Reading plays a crucial role in the IELTS exam, evaluating a candidate's capability to comprehend and interpret various texts. IELTS Reading answers examine the comprehension skills of the candidates through passages on diverse topics. In this article, you will engage with a series of IELTS reading practice that simulate real test scenarios. Whether you are studying for academic or general training modules, working on these IELTS Reading questions will familiarize you with the overall exam structure and increase your confidence for the actual exam.

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Section 1 Six Classical Dances of India

Dance is an ancient and celebrated cultural tradition in India. Folk dances abound all across the country, and huge crowds of people can be found dancing at festivals and weddings. Here are six of the most important classical dance forms of India.

Bharatanatyam: Bharatanatyam is a dance of Tamil Nadu in southern India. It traces its origins back to the Natyashastra, an ancient treatise on theater written by the mythic priest Bharata. Originally a temple dance for women, Bharatanatyam is often used to express Hindu religious stories and devotions. It was not commonly seen on the public stage until the 20th century. The dance movements are characterized by bent legs, while feet keep rhythm. Hands may be used in a series of mudras, or symbolic hand gestures, to tell a story.

Kathakali: Kathakali comes from southwestern India, around the state of Kerala. Like Bharatanatyam, Kathakali is a religious dance. It draws inspiration from the Ramayana and stories from Shaiva traditions. Kathakali is traditionally performed by boys and men, even for female roles. The costumes and makeup are especially elaborate, with faces made to look like painted masks and enormous headdresses.

Kathak: A dance of northern India, Kathak is typically a dance of love. It is performed by both men and women. The movements include intricate footwork accented by bells worn around the ankles and stylized gestures adapted from normal body language. It was originated by Kathakas, professional storytellers who used a mixture of dance, song, and drama. Like other Indian dances, it began as a temple dance but soon moved into the courts of ruling houses.

Manipuri: Manipuri comes from Manipur in north-eastern India. It has its roots in that state's folk traditions and rituals, and often depicts scenes from the life of the god Krishna. Unlike some other, more rhythmic dances, Manipuri is characterized by smooth and smooth and graceful movements. Female roles are especially fluid in the arms and hands, while male roles tend to have more forceful movements. The dance may be accompanied by narrative chanting and choral singing.

Kuchipudi: Unlike the other styles mentioned, Kuchipudi requires talent in both dancing and singing. This dance, from the state of Andhra Pradesh in south-eastern India, is highly ritualized, with a formalized song-and-dance introduction, sprinkling of holy water, and burning of incense, along with invocations of goddesses. Traditionally the dance was performed by men, even the female roles, although now it is predominantly performed by women.

Odissi: Odissi is indigenous to Orissa in eastern India. It is predominantly a dance for women, with postures that replicate those found in temple sculptures. Based on archaeological findings, Odissi is believed to be the oldest of the surviving Indian classical dances. Odissi is a very complex and expressive dance, with over fifty mudras (symbolic hand gestures) commonly used.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 1-6

Match each statement below to the appropriate dance form. Use ONE WORD ONLY for each.

1.This dance depicts incidents from the life of Krishna.

Answer: Manipuri

Supporting statement: “.......It has its roots in that state's folk traditions and rituals, and often depicts scenes from the life of the god Krishna. Unlike some other, more rhythmic dances, Manipuri is characterized by smooth and smooth and graceful movements........”

Keywords: Manipuri, Krishna, Life, Depicts

Keyword Location: para 5, Line 1-4

Explanation: The Manipuri dance of Manipur, often depicting scenes from the life of Krishna, emphasizes smooth and graceful movements accompanied by narrative chanting and choral singing, especially for female roles.

2.The females you see dancing are actually males.

Answer: Kathakali

Supporting statement: “.......Kathakali is a religious dance. It draws inspiration from the Ramayana and stories from Shaiva traditions. Kathakali is traditionally performed by boys and men, even for female roles........”

Keywords: Kathakali, Females, Religious, Ramayana

Keyword Location: para 3, Line 2-4

Explanation: Kerala's Kathakali involves elaborate costumes and makeup, traditionally performed by boys and men, even for female roles, which emphasizes religious themes inspired by the Ramayana and Shaiva traditions.

3.This dance will remind you of the various poses you may have seen chiseled on the walls of temples.

Answer: Odissi

Supporting statement: “.......Odissi is indigenous to Orissa in eastern India. It is predominantly a dance for women, with postures that replicate those found in temple sculptures.........”

Keywords: Odissi, Orissa, Temples, Postures

Keyword Location: para 7, Line 1-2

Explanation: Odissi resembles temple sculptures in his postures. It is an ancient Indian classical dance of Orissa, known for its expressive postures and more than fifty symbolic hand gestures (mudras).

4.This dance form is based on a discourse written by someone who may not have even existed.

Answer: Bharatanatyam

Supporting statement: “.......Originally a temple dance for women, Bharatanatyam is often used to express Hindu religious stories and devotions. It was not commonly seen on the public stage until the 20th century..........”

Keywords: Bharatanatyam, Devotions, Stage, Century

Keyword Location: para 2, Line 3-5

Explanation: Bharatanatyam is based on the Natyashastra, an ancient treatise on theater attributed to the mythological priest Bharata, whose existence is uncertain, making it a possible answer.

5.To perform this dance, not only do you have to know how to dance, but also have the ability to sing.

Answer: Kuchipudi

Supporting statement: “.......Unlike the other styles mentioned, Kuchipudi requires talent in both dancing and singing. This dance, from the state of Andhra Pradesh in south-eastern India, is highly ritualized..........”

Keywords: Kuchipudi, Dancing, Singing, Ritualized

Keyword Location: para 6, Line 1-3

Explanation: This dance from Andhra Pradesh requires both dancing and singing skills. It involves a formal song-and-dance introduction and ritual performance, a mixture of music and movement.

6.A dance of love, performed in durbars

Answer: Kathak

Supporting statement: “.......It was originated by Kathakas, professional storytellers who used a mixture of dance, song, and drama. Like other Indian dances, it began as a temple dance but soon moved into the courts of ruling houses...........”

Keywords: Kathak, Storytellers, Courts, Drama

Keyword Location: para 4, Line 4-6

Explanation: Kathak, originating in northern India, is a dance of love, usually performed in darbars (courts of ruling houses). It involves intricate footwork and stylized gestures expressing love themes.

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