Dances (Folk and Classical)
17 Grade 10 Religious Education (HRE) questions on Dances (Folk and Classical), with worked marking schemes. 17 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
5 marksKathak is often performed at cultural programmes of Hindu communities in Kenya.
(a) State the meaning of the word "katha" from which Kathak takes its name. (1 mark)
(b) Describe two features of a Kathak performance. (4 marks)
(5 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Story (accept storytelling/a tale) (1 mark) (b) Any two of the following, 2 marks each (1 mark for naming the feature, 1 mark for the description) (4 marks): - Fast rhythmic footwork (tatkar): the dancer strikes the floor with bare feet in complex rhythms that match the tabla. - Ankle bells (ghungroo): the dancer wears many small bells on each ankle so the footwork can be heard clearly. - Spins (chakkars): the dancer performs many quick turns, often ending sharply on a beat. - Storytelling through expression (abhinaya) and hand gestures (mudras): the dancer acts out sacred stories, especially those of Radha and Krishna. - Recitation of rhythm syllables (bols): the dancer or musician speaks the rhythm before dancing it. - Accompaniment by Hindustani music: tabla, pakhawaj, sarangi, sitar or harmonium, with a singer. - Costume: a long flared dress (anarkali) or lehenga, or a kurta and churidar for men.
Question 2
4 marksExplain two ways in which music and dance enhance a believer's spiritual life. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Any two of the following, 2 marks each (1 mark for the point, 1 mark for the explanation) (4 marks): - They focus the mind on God: repeated rhythms and devotional songs calm the mind and help concentration, much like meditation. - They express emotions towards God: believers show joy, thanksgiving and love for the divine in a way words alone cannot. - They teach religious truths: songs and dances retell sacred stories and moral lessons, helping believers remember them. - They strengthen fellowship: dancing and singing together at festivals unites believers as one community of faith. - They build discipline and humility: learning under a guru teaches patience, respect and self-control, which are spiritual values. - They make festivals meaningful: dances such as Garba during Navaratri help believers take part fully in worship and celebration. - They bring inner peace and renewal: music and dance relieve stress and refresh the believer for worship and daily duties.
Question 3
4 marksSuggest four ways in which a Grade 10 learner can promote folk and classical dances in day-to-day life. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
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4 marksDescribe two ways in which a Bharatanatyam dancer uses the body to tell a sacred story. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
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1 markA youth group at a gurdwara in Nairobi plans an energetic folk dance to celebrate the spring harvest and to remember the founding of the Khalsa. During which festival is the group most likely to perform it?
A. Holi
B. Diwali
C. Navaratri
D. Vaisakhi
(1 mark)
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1 markA school dance club is preparing a Garba item for its annual day celebration. Which action best shows respect for the religious meaning of the dance?
A. Learning the meaning of the songs from a mandir resource person
B. Cutting the opening prayer to the goddess so the item fits the time
C. Wearing any costume because the steps matter more than the meaning
D. Replacing the devotional songs with popular music to attract crowds
(1 mark)
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6 marksCopy and complete the table below by stating whether each dance is folk or classical, and the region or community of India where it originated. Dance | Folk or classical | Region or community of origin Garba | | Dandiya | | Bhangra | | Gidda | | Kathak | | Bharatanatyam | | (6 marks)
(6 marks)
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4 marksIsukuti is a popular folk dance in Kenya.
(a) State two occasions on which Isukuti is performed. (2 marks)
(b) Explain one way in which Isukuti promotes unity in the community. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
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4 marksOutline four differences between classical dances and folk dances. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
Any four of the following differences, 1 mark each (4 marks). A difference must state both sides to earn the mark: - Classical dances follow fixed rules set out in ancient texts such as the Natya Shastra, while folk dances have simple steps that change from place to place. - Classical dances need years of formal training under a guru, while folk dances are learnt informally by watching and joining in. - Classical dances are usually performed by trained soloists or small groups, while folk dances are performed by whole communities. - Classical dances are performed on stage or in mandirs as worship or art, while folk dances are performed at festivals, harvests and weddings. - Classical dances tell detailed sacred stories through hand gestures (mudras) and facial expressions (abhinaya), while folk dances mainly express joy and celebration. - Classical dances use classical music (Hindustani or Carnatic) with set rhythms, while folk dances use local folk songs and instruments. - Classical dances use elaborate costumes, make-up and jewellery, while folk dances use everyday or simple festive dress. Credit relevant examples, e.g. classical: Kathak, Bharatanatyam; folk: Garba, Bhangra, Isukuti.
Question 10
1 markAt a county cultural festival, a troupe from western Kenya performs a vigorous dance with fast shoulder and waist movements. The dancers are accompanied by a set of drums of different sizes and a whistle. Which dance and community does this describe?
A. Bhangra of the Punjabi
B. Chakacha of the Swahili
C. Isukuti of the Luhya
D. Mwomboko of the Agikuyu
(1 mark)
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6 marksExplain three reasons why classical dances are performed in Mandirs during worship. (6 marks)
(6 marks)
Marking scheme
Any three of the following, 2 marks each (1 mark for the reason, 1 mark for the explanation) (6 marks): - Dance is offered to the deity as an act of service (seva), just as flowers, food or a lamp are offered during puja. - Dance expresses devotion (bhakti), letting the dancer show love and surrender to God through the whole body. - Classical dances retell sacred stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas, teaching worshippers about dharma and the deeds of the deities. - The Natya Shastra, the ancient text on dance, is regarded as a sacred text (the "fifth Veda"), so dance is seen as a holy art suited to worship. - Dance honours Lord Shiva as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, so dancing in the mandir imitates divine action. - The discipline of classical dance focuses the mind and acts as a form of meditation that draws the dancer and worshippers closer to God. - Performing in the mandir keeps the tradition alive and passes it to young devotees (historically temple dancers served the deity in this way).
Question 12
4 marksYour class has been asked to present a classical Indian dance item at a national day celebration. Outline four steps the class should take to prepare the item. (4 marks)
(4 marks)
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1 markBefore practice, many Bharatanatyam students bow before an image of Lord Shiva as Nataraja. Hindus honour Shiva in this way in a dance class because they regard him as
A. the avatar of Vishnu who lifted Mount Govardhan to shelter cowherds
B. the sage who wrote the Natya Shastra, the ancient text on dance
C. the warrior goddess honoured during the nine nights of Navaratri
D. the cosmic dancer whose dance creates and destroys the universe
(1 mark)
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1 markDuring the nine nights of Navaratri, members of the Hindu community in Nairobi dance in pairs, each dancer holding two decorated wooden sticks that are struck together in rhythm with the music. Which dance are they performing?
A. Dandiya
B. Gidda
C. Bharatanatyam
D. Kathak
(1 mark)
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4 marksBhangra and Gidda are often performed together at weddings and festivals.
(a) State two musical instruments used to accompany Bhangra. (2 marks)
(b) Outline two ways in which Gidda differs from Bhangra. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
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4 marksGarba is performed in a circle around an earthen lamp or an image of the Mother Goddess.
(a) State two musical instruments that accompany Garba. (2 marks)
(b) Explain how dancing in a circle around the lamp or image of the goddess expresses Hindu belief. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
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1 markA school is preparing a Bharatanatyam item in the traditional style. Which group of instruments would correctly accompany the dancers?
A. isukuti drums, animal horns and whistles
B. mridangam, veena, flute and cymbals
C. tabla, sarangi, sitar and the harmonium
D. nyatiti lyre, orutu fiddle and drums
(1 mark)
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