UPSC Prelims 2007 Q1: Art & Culture – Classical Dance Forms
Match List - I with List - II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:
List - I (Person)
A. Bhajan Sopori
B. Birju Maharaj
C. Priyadarshini Govind
D. T V Gopalkrishnan
List - II (Known as)
1. Bharatanatyam Dancer
2. Exponent of Santoor
3. Mridangam Maestro
4. Kathak Dancer
Codes:
- (a) A - 2 B - 1 C - 4 D - 3
- (b) A - 3 B - 1 C - 4 D - 2
- (c) A - 2 B - 4 C - 1 D - 3
- (d) A - 3 B - 4 C - 1 D - 2
Answer: (c) A - 2 B - 4 C - 1 D - 3
Explanation
Matching classical artistes with their art forms
| Person | Known as |
|---|---|
| Bhajan Sopori | Exponent of Santoor |
| Birju Maharaj | Kathak Dancer |
| Priyadarshini Govind | Bharatanatyam Dancer |
| T. V. Gopalkrishnan | Mridangam Maestro |
So the correct code is A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3.
Answer: (c) A-2 B-4 C-1 D-3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Swaps Birju Maharaj's Kathak code with the wrong number.
- (b) Incorrect. Mismatches Priyadarshini Govind with Mridangam instead of Bharatanatyam.
- (c) CORRECT. A-2 (Sopori-Santoor), B-4 (Birju Maharaj-Kathak), C-1 (Govind-Bharatanatyam), D-3 (Gopalkrishnan-Mridangam).
- (d) Incorrect. Reverses the Santoor and Kathak pairings.
Key point
Bhajan Sopori = Santoor, Birju Maharaj = Kathak, Priyadarshini Govind = Bharatanatyam, T.V. Gopalkrishnan = Mridangam.
Remember
Bhajan Sopori-Santoor, Birju Maharaj-Kathak, Priyadarshini Govind-Bharatanatyam, T.V. Gopalkrishnan-Mridangam.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Birju Maharaj (Kathak) with a Bharatanatyam exponent.
- Not knowing T. V. Gopalkrishnan is a Mridangam maestro, not a vocalist.
- Mixing up Santoor (Kashmiri instrument, Sopori) with another instrument.
Exam tip
Associate each classical art form with its most famous living exponent as a memory peg: Santoor-Sopori, Kathak-Birju Maharaj.
Sources
- Sangeet Natak Akademi — Akademi Awards: recipients in music and dance
- Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) — Indian classical music and dance resources