Q12 · UPSC Prelims 2017 · Set A · Art and Culture

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With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:1.It is a song and dance performance.2.Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.3.It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A 1, 2 and 3
B 1 and 3 only
C 2 and 3 only
D 1 only

Correct answer: (b) 1 and 3 only

Explanation

  1. A

    1, 2 and 3

    (a) 1, 2 and 3. Cymbals are central, but drums (pung) and other instruments are also used, so ‘cymbals only’ makes statement 2 false. All three is not the key.

  2. B

    1 and 3 only

    (b) 1 and 3 only. Manipuri Sankirtana is a ritual song-and-dance offering that narrates Krishna’s life and deeds. Statement 2 overstates the instrument list. 1 and 3 only is the official key.

  3. C

    2 and 3 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only. Dropping the song-and-dance description while keeping the false ‘cymbals only’ line is wrong.

  4. D

    1 only

    (d) 1 only. The Krishna narrative is also correct, so 1 only is incomplete.

Summary. Official key is (b) 1 and 3 only. Sankirtana of Manipur is a Vaishnava congregational performance of song, drum and dance that tells Krishna’s story, often tied to Nata Sankirtana and Ras tradition. Cymbals (kartal) matter, but they are not the only instruments; the pung drum is indispensable. UNESCO inscribed Manipuri Sankirtana in 2013. Statement 2 therefore falls.

Same topic · past papers

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    The Constitution (71st Amendment) Act, 1992 amends the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution to include which of the following languages? 1. Konkani 2. Manipuri 3. Nepali 4. Maithili Select the correction answer using the code given below :

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