With reference to the Classical Dance Forms of India, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given below is/are CORRECT? 1. Sattriya dance, one of the eight classical forms, draws heavily from the Bhakti movement and was primarily instituted by the Vaishnava saint Srimanta Sankardeva in Assam. 2. The fundamental difference between Lasya and Tandava lies in the Rasa (sentiment) depicted, where Lasya emphasizes aggressive, heroic sentiments, and Tandava emphasizes graceful, feminine sentiments. 3. The Angika Abhinaya (body gestures) in Mohiniyattam is characterized by a distinctive, gentle, swaying movement, often referred to as the Atakka or Dola movement, reflecting the coastal environment of Kerala.

The correct answer is 1 and 3 only . Key Points Sattriya Dance : This dance form originated in the 15th century in the state of Assam . It was introduced by the great Vaishnava saint and reformer Srimanta Sankardeva as a powerful medium for the propagation of the Bhakti movement . The dance was traditionally performed by male monks (known as Bhokots ) in Sattras (monasteries) as part of daily rituals. It was officially recognized as one of the eight classical dance forms of India by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in the year 2000 . Hence, statement 1 is correct. Tandava and Lasya : In Indian classical dance, Tandava is the masculine aspect, characterized by vigorous , powerful , and aggressive movements. It represents the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva and focuses on heroic (Veera) and furious (Raudra) sentiments. Conversely, Lasya represents the feminine aspect, featuring graceful , fluid , and gentle movements associated with Goddess Parvati , emphasizing love (Shringara) and beauty . The statement incorrectly swaps these definitions. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect. Mohiniyattam : This classical dance form from Kerala is known for its Lasya elements. The Angika Abhinaya (body language) is defined by the Atakka or Dola movement, which involves a gentle swaying of the upper body. This specific movement is said to represent the swaying of palm trees and the undulating waves of the coastal environment of Kerala . It is a solo dance performed primarily by women . Hence, statement 3 is correct. Therefore, the correct answer is 1 and 3 only. Additional Information Sattriya Characteristics : The dance is governed by strictly laid down principles regarding Hastamudras (hand gestures), Footwork , and Aharya (costumes). The traditional musical instruments used are the Khol (drum), Cymbals (Manjira), and the Flute . The costumes are usually made of Pat Silk (Assamese silk) and feature traditional Assamese jewelry like the Kopali on the forehead. Mohiniyattam Characteristics : The term Mohiniyattam literally means the "dance of the enchantress," referring to the Mohini avatar of Lord Vishnu . The dancers wear a distinctive white or off-white saree with a gold-colored brocade (Kasavu) border. It places heavy emphasis on Mukhabhinaya (facial expressions), particularly the use of eyes to convey subtle emotions. Geographical Origins : Bharatnatyam : Originates from Tamil Nadu . Kathakali : A dance-drama from Kerala known for heavy makeup and masks . Kuchipudi : Hails from the state of Andhra Pradesh . Kathak : Developed in Northern India (Uttar Pradesh) and is known for its intricate footwork and chakkars (spins). Important Points Natyashastra : Authored by Bharat Muni between 200 BCE and 200 CE , it is the foundational treatise for all Indian classical arts. It describes the two basic aspects of dance: Nritta (pure dance) and Nritya (expressional dance). Rasa Theory : There are eight Rasas (sentiments) originally mentioned in the Natyashastra , which are Shringara (love), Hasya (humor), Karuna (sorrow), Raudra (anger), Veera (heroism), Bhayanaka (fear), Bibhatsa (disgust), and Adbhuta (wonder). The ninth rasa, Shanta (peace), was added later. Sangeet Natak Akademi : It is the national-level academy for performing arts established by the Government of India . While it recognizes 8 classical dances , the Ministry of Culture also includes Chhau in its list, making it 9 in some contexts.