20 questionswith explanationsfor RAS, Patwari, VDO and other Rajasthan exams
Which folk dance of Rajasthan is inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage?
Answer: (2) Kalbeliya
Explanation
The Kalbeliya folk songs and dances of Rajasthan were inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2010.
The Pushkar fair is held on which day?
Answer: (3) Kartik Purnima
Explanation
The Pushkar fair near Ajmer culminates on Kartik Purnima, with a holy dip in Pushkar lake.
In the Gangaur festival, women mainly worship:
Answer: (4) Goddess Parvati (Gauri)
Explanation
Gangaur is devoted to Gauri (Parvati) along with Shiva (Gan); women pray for marital bliss.
The Ramdevra fair in Jaisalmer district is associated with which folk deity?
Answer: (1) Baba Ramdev
Explanation
Ramdevra (Runicha) is the samadhi site of Baba Ramdev, where a large fair is held in Bhadrapad.
The 'Terah Tali' dance is performed by women of which community?
Answer: (2) Kamad
Explanation
Kamad women, devotees of Baba Ramdev, perform Terah Tali with thirteen manjiras tied to their bodies.
The 'Chari' dance, in which women balance a pot with burning cotton seeds on the head, is associated with which community?
Answer: (3) Gujjar
Explanation
Chari is a dance of Gujjar women, especially famous in the Kishangarh region.
The 'Gair' folk dance is mainly performed during which festival?
Answer: (4) Holi
Explanation
Gair is a circular dance performed by men with sticks during the Holi festival, especially among the Bhils.
The Baneshwar fair, called the 'Kumbh of the tribals', is held at the confluence of which rivers?
Answer: (1) Som, Mahi and Jakham
Explanation
The Baneshwar fair in Dungarpur district is held on Magh Purnima at the confluence of the Som, Mahi and Jakham.
Bhopas narrate 'Pabuji ki Phad' while playing which instrument?
Answer: (2) Ravanhattha
Explanation
Bhopas of Pabuji sing the Phad narrative accompanied by the Ravanhattha, a bowed string instrument.
The 'Kamaycha' is a traditional string instrument chiefly played by which musician community?
Answer: (3) Manganiyar
Explanation
The Kamaycha, a bowed instrument, is the characteristic instrument of the Manganiyars of western Rajasthan.
Allah Jilai Bai of Bikaner is renowned for which style of singing?
Answer: (4) Maand
Explanation
Allah Jilai Bai, a Padma Shri awardee, is famous for the Maand style, especially the song 'Kesariya Balam'.
The 'Agni Nritya' (fire dance) on burning embers is performed by followers of which sect?
Answer: (1) Jasnathi
Explanation
The fire dance is performed by Jasnathi Siddhs, with Katriyasar (Bikaner) as its main centre.
The 'Gavari' folk dance-drama, staged for about 40 days in the monsoon season, is performed by which community?
Answer: (2) Bhil
Explanation
Gavari is the ritual dance-drama of the Bhils of Mewar, performed in honour of Shiva and Parvati (Gauri).
The 'Tamasha' folk theatre tradition, associated with the Bhatt family of performers, is chiefly linked to which city?
Answer: (1) Jaipur
Explanation
Tamasha came to Jaipur from Maharashtra in the time of Sawai Pratap Singh and was carried on by the Bhatt family (Bansidhar Bhatt).
'Rammat', a folk drama staged on open platforms around Holi, is chiefly associated with which city?
Answer: (4) Bikaner
Explanation
Rammat is the Holi-time folk theatre of Bikaner (also Jaisalmer), performed by the Pushkarna Brahmin community.
Who is regarded as the founder of the 'Kuchamani Khyal' style of folk theatre?
Answer: (3) Lachhiram
Explanation
Lachhiram of Kuchaman (Nagaur) is credited with founding the Kuchamani Khyal, with its opera-like style and women's roles played by men.
The Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal at Udaipur, known for reviving puppetry (kathputli), was founded by:
Answer: (3) Devilal Samar
Explanation
Devilal Samar founded the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal at Udaipur in 1952.
Which folk dance is called the 'soul of Rajasthani folk dances' and is regarded as the state's signature dance?
Answer: (2) Ghoomar
Explanation
Ghoomar, a graceful women's dance with swirling ghaghras, is called the soul of Rajasthani folk dances.
Match the folk dance with its region: A. Dhol dance B. Bam dance C. Chakri dance D. Gindad dance 1. Shekhawati 2. Hadoti 3. Bharatpur–Alwar 4. Jalore
Answer: (1) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
Explanation
Dhol dance belongs to Jalore, Bam dance to Bharatpur–Alwar, Chakri (by Kanjar women) to Hadoti, and Gindad to Shekhawati.
The 'Walar' (Valar) dance, performed without instruments by men and women in semicircles, belongs to which tribe?
Answer: (4) Garasia
Explanation
Walar is the characteristic dance of the Garasia tribe of the Sirohi–Abu and Pali area, performed without musical instruments.