UPSC Prelims 2012·GS1·art-and-culture·performing arts

With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct? 1. Dhrupad originated and developed in the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period. 2. Dhrupad is primarily a devotional and spiritual music. 3. Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from Mantras. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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  1. A1 and 2 only
  2. B2 and 3 onlyCorrect
  3. C1, 2 and 3
  4. DNone of the above is correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because Dhrupad is a much older tradition that traces its roots back to the ancient chanting of Samaveda. While it reached a peak of popularity during the Mughal period under the patronage of kings like Raja Man Singh Tomar of Gwalior and Emperor Akbar, it did not originate in the Rajput kingdoms during that specific era. Statement 2 is correct as Dhrupad is fundamentally a spiritual and meditative form of music. It was traditionally performed in temples as a form of worship and its compositions are primarily devotional in nature. Statement 3 is correct because the Alap, which is the introductory section of a Dhrupad performance, uses meaningless syllables derived from Vedic mantras, such as Om Anant Tam Taran Tarini, to help create a meditative atmosphere. Since statements 2 and 3 are correct, the answer is B.
art-and-culture: With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the fol

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