UPSC Prelims 2021 Q95: Art & Culture – Music
- (a) dance forms of Northwest India
- (b) musical instruments
- (c) pre - historic cave paintings
- (d) tribal languages
Answer: (d) tribal languages
Explanation
Halbi, Ho, Kui: What Are They?
| Language | Family | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Halbi | Indo-Aryan | Chhattisgarh, Odisha, MP (spoken by Halba tribe) |
| Ho | Austroasiatic (Munda subfamily) | Jharkhand, Odisha (spoken by Ho tribe, related to Santali) |
| Kui | Dravidian | Odisha (spoken by Kandha/Kondh tribe) |
All three are TRIBAL LANGUAGES of eastern-central India - Halbi (Indo-Aryan), Ho (Munda) and Kui (Dravidian). They are recognised in the Eighth Schedule (partly - Santali is in 8th; Ho, Halbi, Kui are recognised as tribal languages but not in 8th Schedule yet).
Answer: (d) tribal languages.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. These are not dance forms. Northwest India dance forms include Bhangra, Gidda, Ghoomar.
- (b) Incorrect. Not musical instruments. Instruments of tribal India include Dhol, Bansuri, Ektara, Been.
- (c) Incorrect. Not cave paintings. Famous prehistoric cave paintings include Bhimbetka (MP).
- (d) CORRECT. Halbi (Indo-Aryan, Halba tribe), Ho (Munda/Austroasiatic, Ho tribe) and Kui (Dravidian, Kandha/Kondh tribe) are all TRIBAL LANGUAGES of eastern-central India.
Key point
Halbi + Ho + Kui = tribal languages of eastern-central India. Halbi = Indo-Aryan (Chhattisgarh/Odisha, Halba tribe). Ho = Munda/Austroasiatic (Jharkhand, related to Santali). Kui = Dravidian (Odisha, Kandha tribe). None in 8th Schedule yet.
Remember
In India, the terms 'Halbi, Ho and Kui' pertain to TRIBAL LANGUAGES of eastern-central India: Halbi (Indo-Aryan, Halba tribe of Chhattisgarh/Odisha), Ho (Munda, Ho tribe of Jharkhand) and Kui (Dravidian, Kandha/Kondh tribe of Odisha). Correct answer: (d).
Common mistakes
- Assuming all Indian tribal languages are Austroasiatic. India has tribal languages from all four major language families: Indo-Aryan (Halbi), Munda (Ho, Santali, Mundari), Dravidian (Kui, Kurukh, Gondi), Tibeto-Burman (Bodo, Manipuri).
- Not knowing the Kandha/Kondh tribe of Odisha - famous for opposition to bauxite mining in Niyamgiri Hills.
- Missing the 8th Schedule tribal languages: Santali (added 92nd Amendment 2003), Bodo, Dogri, Maithili. Ho, Halbi, Kui not yet included.
Exam tip
Indian tribal language families: (i) Indo-Aryan - Halbi, Bhili; (ii) Austroasiatic/Munda - Santali, Mundari, Ho, Kharia; (iii) Dravidian - Gondi, Kurukh, Kui; (iv) Tibeto-Burman - Naga languages, Bodo, Manipuri. India has 600+ tribal languages; 22 in 8th Schedule (only Santali, Bodo, Dogri, Maithili from tribal are in 8th).
Sources
- Census of India - Languages and Mother Tongues
- People of India Project (Anthropological Survey of India)