Question 1 from UPSC CSE 2014 - Culture

Question

With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements:
1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance, and drama.
2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam.
3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir, and Mirabai.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 1 and 2 only

Strategy: Focus on the components and historical practice of Sattriya: Statement 1 is correct—Sattriya integrates music, dance, and drama. Statement 2 is also correct—its tradition originates from Vaishnavite monasteries (satras) in Assam, credited to Sankardeva. Statement 3 is incorrect because Sattriya's devotional music draws from Assamese saint-poets' borgeets, not from Tulsidas, Kabir, or Mirabai, who are North Indian Bhakti poets. Eliminate option 3 to arrive at the correct answer.

Key Info: Sattriya is one of the eight major classical dance forms of India, originating in Assam in the 15th century. It was introduced by the Vaishnavite saint and social reformer Srimanta Sankardeva. Sattriya incorporates elements of dance, music, and drama, and was historically performed in 'satras' (monastic institutions) to narrate mythological and religious stories as part of neo-Vaishnavism. The dance involves intricate footwork, expressive gestures (mudras), and specific costumes. Its accompanying music is rooted in borgeets—devotional songs composed by Sankardeva and Madhavdeva in classical Assamese, based on ragas and talas defined in ancient musical treatises. Unlike some other Indian classical dances, Sattriya's musical tradition is distinctively Assamese; it is not based on the devotional compositions of Tulsidas, Kabir, or Mirabai. The dance is recognized as a classical form by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Today, Sattriya is performed both by male (traditionally, bhokots or monks) and female dancers, and it continues to thrive as a living tradition, maintaining deep ties with Assamese Vaishnavite culture.

Answer

Option A: 1 only

Answer

Option C: 2 and 3 only

Answer

Option D: 1, 2, and 3