Question

Read the following passage and do the activities:

A1. Fill in the blanks:  (2)

1. Power and force are typical of the ______.
2. Bharata Natyam was danced as a ______ performance by devadasis.
3. Tandava is associated with ______.
4. ______ is the oldest and most popular dance form of India.

What is a classical dance? A dance which is created or choreographed and performed according to the tenets of the Natya Shastra is called a 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 in 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.          What are the main schools of classical dancing?          Bharata Natyam, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kathak.          Bharata Natyam is the oldest and most popular dance-form 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 danced as a solo performance 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.

A2. Complete the web diagram:  (2)

A3. Find antonyms of the following words from the passage:  (2)

1. Unknown × ......
2. Group × ......
3. Poor × ......
4. Narrow × ......

A4. Do as directed:  (2)

1. Bharata Natyam is the most popular dance-form of India. (Change into positive degree.)
2. Later, kings and rich people lent their patronage to it. (Rewrite using “as well as”.)

A5. Personal Response:  (2)

Write any four benefits of dancing.

Answer 1

A1. 

1. Power and force are typical of the tandava.
2. Bharata Natyam was danced as a solo performance by devadasis.
3. Tandava is associated with Shiva.
4. Bharata Natyam is the oldest and most popular dance form of India.

A2.

A3. 

1. Unknown × Known
2. Group × Solo
3. Poor × Rich
4. Narrow × Broad

A4.

1. No other dance form of India is as popular as Bharata Natyam.
2. Later, kings as well as rich people lent their patronage to it.

A5.

1. 1. It boosts physical and mental health.
   2. It teaches us discipline and builds teamwork.
   3. It develops coordination and understanding.
   4. It improves balance, strength and mood.