Traditional Theatres of India

Choose the Correct Answer

Correct Answer : Option c

Explanation
Row 1 is not correct: Bandh Pather is a traditional cultural soirée that is mostly conducted in the Kashmir valley and not in Karnataka . A centuries-old genre of Kashmiri folk theatre usually performed in open areas with audiences sitting on the ground, has acted as a mirror of society when there was no media, telling age-old Mughal stories and entertaining kings, carrying tales of villages from one place to another. It spread awareness, exposed wrongdoings, highlighted issues and much more. It's a satirical theatre style that combines drama and dance in a traditional folk theatre style where social customs and evils are depicted and performed in a variety of social and cultural functions.

Row 2 is correct: Bhavai is the traditional theatre form of Gujarat. The centers of this form are Kutch and Kathiawar. The instruments used in Bhavai are: Bhungal, tabla, flute, pakhawaj, rabaab, sarangi, manjeera, etc. In Bhavai, there is a rare synthesis of devotional and romantic sentiments.

Row 3 is correct: Maach is the traditional theatre form of Madhya Pradesh. The term Maach is used for the stage itself as also for the play. In this theatre form songs are given prominence in between the dialogues. The term for dialogue in this form is bol and rhyme in narration is termed Vanag. The tunes of this theatre form are known as Rangat. Themes in maach performances frequently include social issues stemming from imbalances in power and wealth, presented through the use of satire and humour. It is not performed for religious occasions but more generally for the community’s entertainment: as such, characters and stories are based on a variety historical, mythical and religious figures, such as Nala and Damayanti, Gopichand, Prahlad and local Malwan heroes such as Tejaji and Kedar Singh. The Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas also provide inspiration.

Row 4 is correct: Dashavatar is the most developed theatre form of the Konkan and Goa regions. The performers personify the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu-the god of preservation and creativity. The ten incarnations are Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narsimha (lion-man), Vaman (dwarf), Parashuram, Rama, Krishna (or Balram), Buddha and Kalki. Apart from stylized make-up, the Dashavatar performers wear masks of wood and papier mache.