Who is credited with reviving the Manipuri dance tradition in the early 20th century?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer
Rabindranath Tagore
Explanation
Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore is credited with reviving the Manipuri dance tradition and bringing it to the global stage in the early 20th century. After witnessing a powerful Manipuri dance performance in Sylhet (now in Bangladesh) in 1919, he was deeply inspired by its grace and devotional elegance. To preserve and popularize this classical art form, he invited prominent Manipuri dance gurus to his institution, Visva-Bharati university in Shantiniketan, and made it a part of the curriculum.
The contributions of the other legendary personalities mentioned in the options are as follows:
Uday Shankar is celebrated as the pioneer of modern dance in India, creating a unique fusion style by blending traditional Indian classical dance steps with Western theatrical techniques.
Rukmini Devi Arundale played a monumental role in reviving and institutionalizing Bharatnatyam, rescuing it from social stigma and establishing the famous Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai.
Kelucharan Mohapatra was a legendary guru and dancer who is single-handedly credited with reviving, structuring, and popularizing Odissi dance in the 20th century.
Key Points
Manipuri dance is one of the major classical dance forms of India, predominantly known for its gentle, lyrical movements, and its focus on themes from Vaishnavism, especially the Raas Leela of Radha and Krishna.
Tagore used the fluid movements of Manipuri dance to develop his own unique dance-drama style, known as Rabindra Nritya Natya.
Important Questions and Answers
Question: At which famous institution did Rabindranath Tagore introduce Manipuri dance to popularize it among mainstream students?
Answer: Visva-Bharati University in Shantiniketan.
Question: Which classical Indian dance form is primarily centered around the devotional themes of Radha and Krishna's Raas Leela?
Answer: Manipuri dance.