CBSE Class 12 English Unseen Passage N

Read the passage given below:

Indian Classical Dances

1. What is a classical dance? A dance which is created or choreographed and performed according to the tenets of the Natya Shastra or the Science of dance, is called an Indian classical dance. The two broad aspects of classical dancing are the tandava and the lasya. Power and force are typical of the tandava; grace and delicacy, of the lasya. Tandava is associated with Shiva, and lasya with Parvati. Dance which is pure movement is called nritta, and dance which is interpretative in nature is called nritya. A dancer in the classical tradition has to have years of training before he or she can begin to perform on the stage.

2. What are the main schools of classical dancing? The four main schools of classical dancing in India are: Bharata Natyam, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kathak. Bharat Natyam is the oldest and most popular danceform of India. Earlier, it was known by various names. Some called it Bharatam, some Natyam some Desi Attam and some Sadir. The districts of Tanjore and Kanchipuram of Tamil Nadu were the focal points in the development of Bharata Natyam. It was performed as a solo dance by devadasis (temple dancers) on all auspicious occasions. Later, kings and rich people lent their patronage to it and it started shedding its purely sacred character.

3. The dancer is directed by the natuvanar, who is a musician and, invariably, a teacher. Another musician plays the cymbals. The music for Bharata Natyam is the Carnatic School of music. The mridangam (a drum), played on both sides with the hands, provides the rhythm. The home of Kathakali is Kerala. Kathakali literally means ‘story-play’. It combines music, dance, poetry, drama and mime. Its present form has evolved out of older forms such as Ramanattam and Krishnanattam.

4. Kathakali dance-dramas last from dusk to dawn. The artistes use elaborate costumes; mask like make-up and towering head-dresses. The dancers are all males. Female roles are usually played by boys. There is no stage - a few mats are spread on the ground for the audience to sit on. The only ‘stage-lighting’ is a brass lamp fed with coconut oil. Two singers provide the vocal music. The chenda, a large drum, which is beaten on one side with two slender curved sticks, is an integral part of the Kathakali performance. A metal gong, a pair of cymbals and another drum complete the orchestra. Besides providing the beat, they are also the means by which all the sound-effects are created.

5. Manipur, in the north-east is the home of Manipuri. It has evolved out of the folk dances of the land, which are religious in nature. Lai Haroba is the oldest dance-drama of Manipur and is based on folk-lore and mythology. But Ras Leela is the most popular one. It tells of the legendary love of Radha and Krishna. In the Manipuri style of dancing, the accent is on grace and softness. The women’s costumes are extremely picturesque. Besides the singers, the khol, the manjira and the flute also accompany the dancers. Kathak, however, was revived under the patronage of the rulers of Lucknow and Jaipur, and this gave rise to two styles known as the Lucknow gharana and the Jaipur gharana. Gharana means ‘house’ or ‘school’. In Kathak, the accent is on footwork. A dancer wears anklets with several rows of bells and skillfully regulates their sound, sometimes sounding just one bell out of the many on his or her feet. The singer who accompanies the Kathak dancer not only sings, but reproduces the drum syllables also. The sarangi, a string instrument, provides the music at a Kathak performance.

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions given below:

Question. What is the Natya Shastra?
(a) Scientific study of a classical dance
(b) Science of dances
(c) A book written by a sage
(d) A book which deals with a drama

Answer: B

Question. Choose the appropriate meaning of the term ‘Indian classical dance’.
(a) places where children are taught
(b) training centres for artists
(c) groups of artists having a similar style.
(d) Dance complying with the tenets of Natya Shastra

Answer: D

Question. When did Bharata Natyam start shedding its purely sacred character?
(a) when Devadasis stopped dancing
(b) when danced as a solo performance
(c) when kings and rich patronised it
(d) when they used Carnatic music

Answer: C

Question. In para 1, which word is similar in meaning to ‘softness’?
(a) classical
(b) delicacy
(c) interpretative
(d) pure

Answer: B

Question. In Kathakali all dancers are males. (True/False)
Answer: True

Question. In Kathak, the accent is on…..
Answer: footwork

Question. How did the story tellers perform Kathak in ancient times?
Answer: In ancient times the story-tellers used gesture and movements while performing this form of dance. They generally narrated the great epics thorough their actions.

Question. How is ‘Kathakali’ dance performance different from other dance form?
Answer: ‘Kathakali’ means ‘story telling’ through dance performance where artists wear elaborate costumes and mask like make-up. It combines music, dance, poetry, drama and mime. Vocal singers, chenda, metal gong, a pair of cymbals and another drums create music and rhythm.

Question. What is the difference between ‘Lai Haroba and Ras Leela’ ?
Answer: ‘Lai Haroba’ and ‘Ras Leela’ both are dance forms where ‘Lai Haroba’ is the oldest dance-drama and ‘Ras Leela’ is the story telling of legendary love of Radha Krishna.

Question. What is the role of the singer who accompanies the Kathak dancer.
Answer: The singer not only sings, but also reproduces the drum syllables.

Question. How did the rulers of Lucknow and Jaipur contribute to enliven the Kathakali?
Answer: The rulers of Lucknow and Jaipur helped financially for reviving the Kathakali.

Question. Which word in para 5 means the same as ‘attractive’?
Answer: Picturesque.