Question 76 from UPSC CSE 2017 - Art and
Culture

Question

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?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 1 and 3 only

Strategy: - Identify the extreme keyword 'only' in statement 2.
- Recognize that such keywords often indicate incorrect statements.
- Confirm statement 2 is false because Manipuri Sankirtana also uses the Pung drum.
- Eliminate options A and C, which contain the incorrect statement 2.
- Validate the remaining statements (1 and 3) as correct descriptions of Sankirtana.
- Select option B as the correct answer.

Key Info: ### Manipuri Sankirtana

Manipuri Sankirtana is a ritualistic performance art of Manipur involving singing, drumming, and dancing. It is a key cultural expression of the Vaishnava community in the state. In 2013, it was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

- **Performance Style:** It is indeed a vibrant song and dance performance. The artists narrate stories and express devotion through music and bodily movements. The performance begins with a gentle pace and builds up to a powerful and energetic climax.

- **Musical Instruments:** The statement that cymbals are the *only* musical instruments used is incorrect. While cymbals (**Kartal** or **Mandira**) are a crucial component, the **Pung** (a long-bodied barrel drum) is the soul of Manipuri Sankirtana. The Pung Cholom, a dance where performers play the Pung, is an integral part of this tradition.

- **Theme:** The performance is centered on the life and deeds of **Lord Krishna**. It is a form of devotional expression that brings the stories of Krishna and Radha to life, reflecting the deep influence of Gaudiya Vaishnavism in Manipur, which became prominent in the 18th century.

- **Context:** Sankirtana is performed in temples and domestic spaces to mark significant occasions in the lives of the Meitei people, including festivals, weddings, and the *shraddha* (death rites). It is seen as a collective offering to the deity and a means of spiritual connection for the community.

Answer

Option A: 1, 2, and 3

Answer

Option C: 2 and 3 only

Answer

Option D: 1 only

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

With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:

It is a song and dance performance.

Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.

It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?