With reference to the classical dance, consider the following statements:
1. Sangeet Natak Akademi has recognised eight classical dance forms.
2. All classical dances have Vaishnavite aspects except Bharatnatyam.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Question

With reference to the classical dance, consider the following statements:
1. Sangeet Natak Akademi has recognised eight classical dance forms.
2. All classical dances have Vaishnavite aspects except Bharatnatyam.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Statement 1 is correct: The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), India&rsquo;s national academy for performing arts, has recognized eight classical dance forms: Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu),Kathak (North India), Odissi (Odisha), Manipuri (Manipur), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), Kathakali (Kerala),Mohiniyattam (Kerala), Sattriya (Assam).
However, the Ministry of Culture recognizes nine classical dance forms, including Chhau, which is not recognized by SNA as a classical form but is considered a folk-dance tradition.

Statement 2 is correct: Most classical dance forms in India have strong Vaishnavite influences, reflecting devotion to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations such as Krishna and Rama.
For example:
● Odissi and Manipuri are deeply associated with Lord Krishna and Radha-Krishna themes.
● Kathak evolved in the temples through storytelling of Krishna&rsquo;s Raslila before being influenced by Mughal court traditions.
● Sattriya was developed in Assam&rsquo;s Vaishnavite monasteries (Sattras) by Srimanta Sankardev to spread Krishna Bhakti.
However, Bharatanatyam is an exception as it has traditionally been performed in Shiva temples, particularly dedicated to Lord Nataraja (Shiva as the cosmic dancer) in Tamil Nadu.

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M Question 1	⏱ 0
With reference to the classical dance, consider the following statements: 1. Sangeet Natak Akademi has recognised eight classical dance forms. 2. All classical dances have Vaishnavite aspects except Bharatnatyam. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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