UPSC Prelims 2009 Q20: Art & Culture – Painting & Visual Arts
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:
List I (Famous person)
A. Amrita Sher - Gil
B. Bhimsen Joshi
C. Rukmini Devi Arundale
D. Suryakant Tripathi Nirala
List II (Well - known as)
1. Dancer
2. Painter
3. Poet
4. Singer
- (a) A - 2 B - 1 C - 4 D - 3
- (b) A - 2 B - 4 C - 1 D - 3
- (c) A - 3 B - 1 C - 4 D - 2
- (d) A - 3 B - 4 C - 1 D - 2
Answer: (b) A - 2 B - 4 C - 1 D - 3
Explanation
Matching famous persons to their art forms
Four celebrated Indian cultural figures are matched here to what they're renowned for.
| Person | Known as |
|---|---|
| A. Amrita Sher-Gil | 2. Painter |
| B. Bhimsen Joshi | 4. Singer |
| C. Rukmini Devi Arundale | 1. Dancer |
| D. Suryakant Tripathi Nirala | 3. Poet |
Why this matching is correct:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Amrita Sher-Gil | Celebrated modernist painter |
| Bhimsen Joshi | Legendary Hindustani classical vocalist |
| Rukmini Devi Arundale | Pioneering Bharatanatyam dancer and revivalist |
| Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala' | Renowned Hindi poet |
Answer: (b) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. This swaps C and D's correct art forms.
- (b) CORRECT. A-2 (painter), B-4 (singer), C-1 (dancer), D-3 (poet) is the accurate matching.
- (c) Incorrect. This misassigns A and D, swapping their correct art forms.
- (d) Incorrect. This misassigns multiple pairs, reversing the correct art forms.
Key point
Amrita Sher-Gil-painter, Bhimsen Joshi-singer, Rukmini Devi Arundale-dancer, Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala'-poet — the correct matching.
Remember
Famous-person matching: Sher-Gil-painter, Joshi-singer, Arundale-dancer, Nirala-poet.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Amrita Sher-Gil's painting legacy with other art forms.
- Not knowing Rukmini Devi Arundale's specific role as a Bharatanatyam dance revivalist.
- Mixing up Bhimsen Joshi (singer) with other classical art figures.
Exam tip
Sher-Gil=painter, Joshi=singer, Arundale=dancer, Nirala=poet. Four distinct art forms, four distinct cultural icons.
Sources
- National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi — Amrita Sher-Gil Collection
- Sangeet Natak Akademi — Akademi Awards: Bhimsen Joshi; Rukmini Devi Arundale