UPSC Prelims 2013·GS1·art-and-culture·performing arts

In the context of cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called 'Tribhanga' has been a favourite of Indian artists from ancient times till today. Which one of the following statements best describes this pose?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. AOne leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neckCorrect
  2. BFacial expressions, hand gestures and make-up are combined to symbolize certain epic or historic characters
  3. CMovements of body, face and hands are used to express oneself or to tell a story
  4. DA little smile, slightly curved waist and certain hand gestures are emphasized to express the feelings of love or eroticism

Explanation

The correct answer is A) One leg is bent and the body is slightly but oppositely curved at waist and neck. Tribhanga, literally meaning 'three bends', is a classic pose in Indian art, particularly sculpture and dance. It's characterized by the body being flexed at the neck, waist, and knee, creating a graceful, S-shaped curve. This pose is frequently seen in depictions of deities and dancers. Why other options are incorrect: B) This describes *Rasas* and *Abhinaya* – the expressive elements of Indian performing arts, but doesn't define the Tribhanga pose itself. C) This is a general description of dance and dramatics, not specific to Tribhanga. D) While Tribhanga can *convey* feelings like love or eroticism, it's not *defined* by them. The pose itself is the key characteristic, independent of the emotion expressed. Understanding the etymology (Tri = three, Bhanga = bend) helps in remembering the core feature of this pose.
art-and-culture: In the context of cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called 'Tribhanga' has been a favourite of In
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