Daily Quiz: UPSC Prelims Marathon – August 27, 2018

Statement 1 is correct. Tribhanga is a standing body stance or position used in the conventional Indian sculptor, art and Indian classical dance forms like Odissi. Tribhanga, as compared to contrapposto pose, literally meaning three parts break, consists of three bends in the body; at the neck, waist and knee, hence the body is oppositely curved at waist and neck which gives it a gentle “S” shape and is considered the most graceful and sensual of the Odissi positions. It is closely associated with Lord Krishna, the Hindu mythology, who is often portrayed in the posture.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The Sattriya dance form is not exclusively based on the Tribhanga posture. Sattriya dance tradition is governed by strictly laid down principles in respect of has tamudras, footworks, aharyas, music etc. This tradition, has two distinctly separate streams – the Bhaona-related repertoire starting from the Gayan- Bhayanar Nach to the Kharmanar Nach, secondly the dance numbers which are independent, such as Chali, Rajagharia Chali, Jhumura, Nadu Bhangi etc. Among them the Chali is characterized by gracefulness and elegance, while the Jhumura is marked by vigor and majestic beauty. Sattriya also reflects the influence of local folk dances of Assam.

Statement 1 is correct. Navaratnas was a term applied to a group of nine extraordinary people in an emperor’s court in India. Navaratnas of the legendary Gupta emperor Vikramaditya‘s court were Amarasimha, Dhanvantari, Ghatakarapara, Kalidasa, Kshapanaka, Shanku, Varahamihira, Vararuchi and Vetala-Bhatta.

Statement 2 is correct. Gupta period was known as Golden Period in terms of art

and architecture. Both Nagara and Dravidian styles of art evolved during this period. The Nagara style is associated with the land between the Himalayas and Vindhyas while the Dravida style was associated with the land between the Krishna and Kaveri rivers.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The Seals from Vaisali and from Bhita near Allahabad indicate that the guilds system flourished exceedingly well in Gupta times.The guilds of artisans, merchants and others were governed by their own laws.

Statement 1 is correct. Kathakali dance is chiefly interpretative. The dancer expresses himself through codified hastamudras and facial expressions, closely following the verses (padams) that are sung. The characters in a Kathakali performance are broadly divided into satvika, rajasika and tamasika types. Satvika characters are noble, heroic, generous and refined. In pacha, green colour dominates and kirita (headgear) is worn by all. Krishna and Rama wear special  crowns decorated with peacock feathers. The noble characters like Indra, Arjun and the Devas are some of the pacha characters.

Statement 2 is correct. Kathakali is a blend of dance, music and acting and dramatizes stories, which are mostly adapted from the Indian epics. It is a stylized art form, the four aspects of abhinaya – angika, aharya,vachika, satvika and the nritta, nritya and natya aspects are combined perfectly.

Statement 3 is correct. In no other dance style is the entire body used so completely as in Kathakali. The technical details cover every part of the body from facial muscles to fingers, eyes, hands and wrists. The facial muscles play an important part. The movement of the eyebrows, the eye-balls and the lower eye-lids as described in the Natya Shastra are not used to such an extent in any other dance style. The weight of the body is on the outer edges of the feet which are slightly bent and curved.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The literary activities were not confined to the court and the nobles during the Mughal period. It was essentially a movement of the people, and many scholars and poets of Hindi were found in the countryside and patronized mainly by local landlords and well-to-do public.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The Mahabharata was translated into Persian at Akbar‘s orders, by Faizi and `Abd al-Qadir Bada‘uni (1540 – 1615) and named Razmnamah.

Statement 3 is incorrect. During the Mughal period, apart from Persian and Hindi literature, Bengali and Punjabi literature also made strides. It was a golden period for Hindi poetry.

Statement 1 is correct. SC has given it‘s guidelines under that it has directed that in every district one or more Family Welfare Committees be constituted by the District Legal Services Authorities preferably comprising of three members.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Committee will not receive complaints directly, the complaint received by police or the Magistrate be referred to and looked into by such committee.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The committee will play an advisory role, it will provide it‘s brief and factual report to the authority who actually received the complaint. The report may be then considered by the Investigating Officer or the Magistrate on its own merit. It has been in news due to Supreme Court‘s judgement on that.

Statement 1 is correct. The Pala dynasty was founded by Gopala in 750 AD. Statement 2 is correct. The Palas had close trade contacts and cultural links with South East Asia and China. The trade with south East Asia and China was very profitable and added greatly to the prosperity of the Pala Empire.

Statement 3 is correct. Dharmapala revived the Nalanda University. founded the Vikramsila University(present day Bhagalpur district in Bihar). He also founded the Vikramsila University(present day Bhagalpur district in Bihar).

Statement 4 is incorrect. The Pala kings patronized Hinduism too. They gave donations for learning and educational purposes. Vinayakapala built one thousand temples in honour of the Shiva deity. They gave donations to Brahmans to settle in their country and run gurukulas.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Rashtrakuta Empire was divided into several provinces called rashtras under the control of rashtrapatis. Bhukti was the village level subdivision, consisting of 50 to 70 villages under the control of bhogapatis.

Statement 2 is correct. Administration was decentralized during this time as the village administration was carried out by village headmen and the village assemblies played a significant role in the village administration.

Statement 3 is incorrect. Both Hindu sects of Vaishnavism and Saivism flourished during the period of Rashtrakutas.